Mixed team steps up promotion bid with defeat of Scunthorpe

Post date: Jan 6, 2014 11:24:49 AM

A comprehensive 121-79 defeat of Scunthorpe has taken Stamford's indoor bowlers within striking distance of promotion back to the First Division of the Lincolnshire Mixed League after disappointing relegation last season.

The 20-player team has now won four of its five matches, losing only narrowly at Lincoln and securing all 18 points on Sunday from five winning rinks to leap within ten points of leaders Louth A, with two games in hand.

Martyn Dolby's quartet of Christine Barnes, Sue Moir and Tony Mackie again took the rink honours, winning 32-14 after racing into a substantial early lead but were chased to the line by Bob Warters' rink which eventually won by 13 shots.

Stamford now face two tough away trips to Louth A and B in a bid to retain their challenge.

Stamford's Mixed County team which beat Scunthorpe: Ladies (from the left):Christine Ford, June Brennan, Christine Barnes, Valerie Du'Kett, Carol Warters, Margaret Bloxham, Sue Moir, Denise Mackie, Anna Martin, Margaret Andrews. Back (from the left): Bob Warters, Martyn Dolby, Paul Bailey, David Hudson, Alan Barnes, Keith Rippin, John Little, Tony Mackie, Wally Kettle, Dick Ford.

Stamford Men's B team are finding the going difficult in the Second Division of the Lincs League and slipped to their third successive defeat, this time at the hands of a rampant Skegness, claiming only three of the 18 points available.

The 127-83 home loss was chiefly due to some outstanding shots played by the sea siders' experienced skips, including Ken Startin and captain Brian Hawes when facing counts against them but Stamford will continue to fight to keep their status in the division.

Stamford bowlers have been competing in recent weeks to secure places in the knock-out stages of the Lincolnshire county competitions and face some exacting matches if they are to reach the closing stages.

Alan Romaine takes on England international Martin Spencer in the singles at Lincoln on March 1 while among seven players who have qualified for the next series of Over 65 singles at Sleaford on February 2, Keith Rippin is drawn against club mate Bob Warters.

Other matches include: Pairs: K.Rippin/A.Warrington (at Spalding A), M Ramsden/ M Dolby (home to Boston A), P Cox/T Barwell (home to Spalding B); Triples: W Aspinall, C Watson, B Warters (at Horncastle), M Bailey, W Morris, J Earl (at Boston C). Fours: M Ramsden, M Cullingworth, B Warters, C Watson (at Boston A); W Morris, S Harris, M Bailey, P Bailey (at Grantham); Mixed pairs: M Dolby/S Bailey v A Holmes/R Allam; J and M Holroyd (at Dunholme); Over 65 singles: W Kettle v Lincoln A; D King v Long Sutton or Boston.

Stamford's women bowlers have shown much-improved form this season and despite defeat by Spalding in the English-inter-club Yetton Trophy, reached the second round of the Yetton Plate with a comprehensive defeat of local rivals Sleaford.

Stamford are due to play Skegness - two rinks at home, two away - on Saturday (Jan 11, 10am).

Northants Federation has had to re-organise its team to play Lincolnshire in the opening match of the three-game 2014 series on Sunday due to the withdrawal of Stamford's Adam Warrington.

Three two-bowl triples rinks will play at Lincoln IBC on Sunday (January 12) and, simultaneously three at Stamford IBC, matches starting at 10am.

It means a county debut for Stamford's John Holroyd and the return of Peterborough's England outdoor international Tristan Morton for the series which hopefully will lead to a place in the English National Federation finals at Newark in April.

At Lincoln (all Peterborough IBC): Howard Shipp, Joe Randall, Tristan Morton; Graham Agger, Barrie Lawrence, Pete Brown; Brian Martin, Andrew Thurston, Jeff Newson. At Stamford: Nick Wilkie, Dick Noble, Simon Law (all P'bro), Richard Allam, Paul Bailey, Martyn Dolby (all Stamford); John Holroyd, Bob Warters (both Stamford), James Harford (P'bro).

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincs Mixed League Division Two: Stamford 121 (18 pts), Scunthorpe 79 (0). D Hudson, D Mackie, C Ford, K Rippin won 17-15; C Barnes, S Moir, T Mackie, M Dolby won 32-14; A Martin, C Warters, A Barnes, R Warters won 29-16; M Andrews, W Kettle, M Bloxham, P Bailey won 25-17; J Brennan, V Du'Kett, D Ford, J Little won 18-17.

Lincs Men's League Division Two: Stamford B 83 (3), Skegness 127 (15). W Apsinall, R Graham, D Henshaw, A Horton won 25-16; T Barwell, W Kettle, C Ballard, J Geary lost 6-37; D Howarth, T Mackie, A Barnes, P Banks drew 21-21;K Rawlins, R Travis-Jenner, R Martin, J. Earl lost 16-23; J Travis-Jenner, K Vinter, M Owens, M Hewitt lost 15-30.