Men's B now top of the table

Post date: Dec 29, 2018 10:18:00 AM

By picking up an outstanding 16 points from their visit to top of the table Boston B, the Stamford Men's B team have taken over the leadership of the second division of the Lincolnshire League.

All five rinks were close run matches but it was David Howarth, Arthur Lonslow, Ally McNaughton and Derek King who took the rink honours for Stamford, fighting back from 12-15 to score 11 shots in the last seven ends and win 23-17.

It was a similar story for Alan Barnes' quartet who trailed 13-21 before securing 12 in the last four ends, winning 25-21.

Shot of the day, however, goes to skip Mark Hebden who converted a five down situation with his last bowl to squeeze in for shot.

From six games Stamford have 70 points - six ahead of Boston B with Horncastle third on 52 with a game in hand.

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincolnshire Men's League Division Two: Boston B 93 (2 pts) Stamford B 105 (16): D Howarth, A Lonslow, A McNaughton, D King won 23-17; T Barwell, D Veasey, D Middleton, K Gentry lost 14-22; R Graham, D Bruce, R Montgomery, A Barnes won 25-21; R Blake, D Henshaw, D Heffernan, M Hebden won 21-16; P Linnell, D Miller, J Hebden, T Christie won 22-17.

BAILEY & CO. OUT OF LUCK

Luck as well as skill can always play a major part of bowls - as Paul Bailey and his rink discovered to their cost at Spalding in the Over 50 Triples.

Leading 18-16 with an end to play they conceded two shots to enable Martin Simpson's rink to force an extra end. With Mal Smith and Martyn Dolby setting up a head in their favour the Stamford trio looked odds on to go through, holding four shots, until Simpson picked up a fortuitous deflection to hold shot.

With his last bowl Bailey picked up the jack to force it to his back bowls but a ricochet sent it back alongside the opponent's lone bowl! Bowls can be so cruel.

SINGLES SETBACKS

Tony Barwell and Christine Ford both failed to emerge beyond the first round of the Spalding Open, part of the national singles circuit.

Barwell was beaten 0-8, 6-6 by Ellie Last from Ipswich with Ford going out to British Under 25 singles champion Ed Elmore from city of Ely 2-7, 1-10.

Stamford based Stephen Harris (Spalding) won his first round match against Scott Whyers (Boston) 7-2, 8-0.