Neighbours Pinch Points and Bragging Rights
Matches against Spalding in the Lincs League (South) have always been closely contested with bragging rights almost more important than the points at stake.
Stamford’s home ‘A’ team clash was no exception, especially as both teams had got off to a flying start with convincing wins in their opening fixtures. But despite the unfamiliar surface, the visitors quickly came to terms with it to turn it to their advantage against a reshuffled Stamford.
Only the home rinks skipped by Chris Ballard and Adam Warrington held slender leads after 15 of the scheduled 21 ends and though Warrington claimed the points, Ballard was finally undone when his Deeping neighbour Brian Martin converted a last end ‘head’ in his favour.
Stamford B’s scheduled league match at Boston ‘A’ was postponed.
Lincs League (South): Stamford A 66 (2 pts) Spalding 76 (12).Stamford names only: W Aspinall, D Miller, O Aspinall, J Earl lost 16-18; M Humphreys, K Rippin, N Wright, A Warrington won 20-17; T Barwell, B Allen, M Linnell, R Martin lost 14-23; B Warters, M Ramsden, A McNaughton, C Ballard lost 16-18.
The two clubs meet again on Saturday (10am) in the first round of the national EIBA inter-club Denny Cup - two rinks at home,two rinks away.
Stamford home: M Humphreys, M Ramsden, N Wright, A Warrington; W Morris, T Barwell, M Linnell, S Law. Away W Aspinall, D Miller O Aspinall, J Earl; C Ballard, A McNaughton, TBC, R Martin.
LIGHTNINGS STRIKE!
Spalding Lightning - their official name when they wear their colourful outfits for national events - duly progressed to the second round of the Egham Trophy at Stamford’s expense.
Semi-finalists last year in this competition for mixed rinks playing home and away simultaneously, Spalding were pitted against an inexperienced team, further hampered by late withdrawals, and unfamiliar to positive and often aggressive tactics when occasionally a ‘head of bowls’ was against them.
Stamford duly conceded after 18 ends with the chasm of more than 40 shots way beyond reach.
As one player observed: “I'd like to say it was a tight game at home but Spalding's aggressive back end play was a game changer and our sedate style was no match for them.”
Egham Trophy: Spalding 86 Stamford 44. Home - J Lonslow, R Roberts, B Crouch, A McNaughton lost 10-23 to M Orrey, P Linnell, A Holmes P Jones, K Rippin lost 11-17 to T Morton; away - E Wallace, M Wallace, M Holroyd O Aspinall lost 9-32 to G R Smith; T Barwell, D Mackie, S Moir, W Aspinall drew 14-14 with J Philpott.