Nightmare start as Stamford A are eclipsed by Spalding

Post date: Feb 23, 2015 2:44:14 PM

Having been bundled out of the national-inter-club Denny Plate last week, Stamford bowlers were looking for a much-needed confidence boost from their visit to Spalding IBC, top of the First Division of the Lincolnshire League, (writes Bob Warters).

However, despite the home club fielding a weakened team, Stamford got off to a nightmare start - 31-7 down after five ends - from which they never recovered and finally conceded 84-116.

But credit to the rinks skipped by Jonathan Earl and Keith Rippin who stuck to their task to claim valuable points while Roger Martin's quartet only lost on the last end.

While the rinks skipped by Bob Warters and Peter Edwards were 18 and 13 down respectively before recording a shot in their favour, Earl's quartet of Stephen Harris, Wayne Morris and Adam Warrington established their superiority with 14 shots in seven ends from the 13th and finally ran out comfortable 27-14 winners.

For Rippin against England international Martin Spencer it needed a fight back from his rink of Richard Allam, debutant Chris Ballard and John Holroyd from the 14th with 13 shots in six ends to finally secure two valuable points 18-15.

Stamford travel to Louth A on Sunday needing a win to keep their hopes alive of staying in the top division.

Result (Stamford names only)

Lincs County League Division One: Spalding A 116 (14 pts) Stamford A 84 (4). M Ramsden, R Keating, M Humphreys, B Warters lost 9-35; A Romaine, J Travis, C Watson, R Martin lost 15-16; D Hudson, S Travis, D Want, P Edwards lost 16-35; S Harris, W Morris, A Warrington, J Earl won 27-14; R Allam, C Ballard, J Holroyd, K Rippin won 18-15.

Top of the table in the Second Division of the Over 60s League, and looking promotion candidates, Stamford bowlers let a golden opportunity slip at lowly Dunholme - beaten 98-91 and picking up only four of the 18 points available.

With only two games left - and their rivals with games in hand - Stamford desperately need points from Skegness B and Long Sutton to realise their promotion hopes.

Only rinks skipped by Alec March and Albert Horton emerged with credit from a disappointing performance overall where 30 shots were conceded in the last five ends.

Results (Stamford names only)

Lincs County Over 60s League Division Two: Dunholme 98 (14), Stamford 91 (4).A Lonslow, R Graham, P Banks, A Horton won 22-12;D Howarth, D Ingham, T Weaver, A March won 26-12; T Barwell, T Mackie, M Owens, J Geary lost 16-27; A Chapman, D Veasey, D Heffernan, D Henshaw lost 12-22; W Kettle, T Freeman, R Harvey, K Vinter lost 15-25.

It was a similar story for Stamford Ladies' Trudy Bates County League match at Skegness where shots were again frittered away in the closing stages and cost them valuable points in an 85-87 defeat.

Against Sleaford recently they let an overall lead slip as players tired and concentration waned, while against the Seasiders, whom they had beaten convincingly at home, 31 shots conceded in the last five ends reveals a similar tale.

However, with a home game against rivals Spalding to come, captain Glenys Edwards will be looking for her players to finish with more energy and on a high note after some otherwise excellent performances during the season.

Result (Stamford names only):

Trudy Bates Ladies County League A: Skegness 87 (12) Stamford 85 (4). L Harris, D Mackie, M Holroyd, G Edwards won 16-10; J Brennan, M Broadbelt, S Suffling, C Ford won 26-21; M MacKellar, J Dupree, A Edwards, A Cullingworth lost 13-19; M Andrews, R March, M Bloxham, S Moir lost 14-18; V Du'Kett, S Henshaw, J Robinson, C Warters lost 16-19. B.W.

Friendly captain Denis Stapleton Reports:

YIPPEE ! We've won another Saturday Friendly. This time it was against the very well turned out Desborough, with their blazers, badges and ties, but they were four players short of the desired 24, and would you believe we had five over, wonders never cease, so we lent them four of ours to make up their shortfall. Our thanks to Serena Brunning, Kevin Toner, Ron Blake and Maggie Holden for stepping into the breach. And if it were to be thought that there might be any bribery of any sort whatsoever going on, they all played like never before, particularly Maggie Holden on rink six, from where could be heard cries of " Well bowled Maggie" throughout the afternoon. Our win by 103 - 93 was due mainly to our best rink of Linda Bassett, Peter Almond, Tim Stokes and Doug Ellis with a win of 26 - 10.

The rest of the rink scores were ( Stamford names only ) Vanessa Shackleton, Daphne Lowe, Roly McHard, Stuart Shackleton won 20 - 8; Arthur Chapman, Bob Burton, Pam Barton, Nick Carr lost 15 - 16; Harry Fidom, Eileen Purvis, John Purvis, Kevin Vinter lost 12 - 21; Peter Herrick, Brian Tuplin, David Thorpe, Charles Baillie lost 12 - 25.