Northants Federation Finals shows Real Class
Those who watched the Northants Bowling Federation finals at Stamford IBC on Sunday were treated to some high quality play worthy of those aiming to represent the county in the national finals at Lincoln from April 22.
The men’s senior singles between former winner Martyn Dolby and 2023 singles champion Jeff Pitt epitomised the tension on the green and high standard of play.
Both are long-standing specialists of this individual four-bowl format and served up a combination of the high skilled draw-bowling and delicate conversions needed to succeed at this level.
With a three-count on the 21st end, Pitt edged 17-15 ahead. But in first to 21 shots format, Dolby, the current county president, refused to concede the initiative and fought back to lead 20-18 and hold shot for game. With a bowl on the edge of the ditch Pitt’s attempt at a delicate conversion to keep the game alive, only nudged the jack to another of his opponent’s bowls to close an intriguing tussle.
Action from the first singles session. Bowling Christine Ford v Shirley Suffling (L) & Martyn Dolby v Jeff Pitt.
The other singles finals were more one sided. Yvonne Monaghan beat Viv Hempsell comfortably in the women’s seniors and Chris Ford claimed the first of three titles in the women’s open version restricting Shirley Suffling to ten shots.
And Paul Dalliday brought his best form to eclipse Adam Warrington 21-9 in the men’s singles.
Suffling gained her revenge in the women’s pairs, partnering fast-improving first time entrant Lyn Tuck against Ford and Elizabeth Wallace. In the men’s equivalent Stuart Popple (deputising for Ollie Jeapes) and Simon Law proved too strong for Pete Linnell and Ally McNaughton.
Mens Pairs Finalists. From the left, Ally McNaughton, Pete Linnell, Simon Law and Stuart Popple.
Ladies Pairs Pairs finalists with county president Liz Hext, (from the left) Lyn Tuck, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford and Elizabeth Wallace.
Paul Dalliday in action against Adam Warrington.
Women’s triples finalists with Federation president Liz Hext (centre), Hazel Brewin, Yvonne Monaghan, Pam Seymour, Sue Moir, Elizabeth Wallace & Chris Ford.
Triples finalists from the left Jon Earl, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington, Mick Humphreys, Tom Newman and Stephen Harris.
Results
Women’s singles: Chris Ford beat Shirley Suffling 21-10; men’s veterans singles: Martyn Dolby beat Jeff Pitt 21-18; women’s senior singles: Yvonne Monaghan beat Vivien Hempsell 21-11; men’s singles: Paul Dalliday beat Adam Warrington 21-9.
Ladies pairs: Elizabeth Wallace & Chris Ford lost to Lyn Tuck & Shirley Suffling 15-20; men’s pairs: Pete Linnell & Ally McNaughton lost to Stuart Popple (sub for Ollie Jeapes) & Simon Law 4-28; men’s triples: Tom Newman, Michael Humphreys, Stephen Harris beat Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington, John Earl 22-16; Ladies triples: Elizabeth Wallace, Sue Moir, Chris Ford beat Hazel Brewin, Yvonne Monaghan, Pam Seymour 21-17.
Mixed triples: Chris Ford, Stephen Harris, Adam Warrington beat Jeff Clipston, Liz Hext, Ray Keating (sub for Cliff Watson) 22-10 ; mixed pairs: Louise & Stephen Harris beat Elizabeth Wallace & Chris Ballard 18-13.
‘A’ maintain the pressure in win over clubmates.
The destiny of the Lincolnshire men’s League (South) title will go down to the wire after Stamford’s A team took 11 points, from a possible 14 maximum from their B team, with a 100-73 shots win.
The A side have three games to play - at home to Boston A on Sunday, away to League leaders Spalding on March 9 and home to bottom club Boston B on March 23 - when even maximum points may not be enough to secure the title and a play-off against the northern section winners.
In this week’s local derby, the Stamford B were determined to take advantage against their home rivals, weakened by the unavailability of several players, including captain Tony Barwell, scheduled for major surgery.
Dennis Henshaw’s end rink raced into a 12-3 lead and Neil Crees opened with five shots before the A side - inspired by Neil Wright’s 20-shot lead after 10 ends with stand-in Dave Heffernan outstanding - took command of the overall points.
It might have secured an extra point but Roger Martin’s four - leading Martin Hewitt by eight shots with five ends to play - conceded nine in three ends and scrambled only a point with a single on the last end.
Lincs Men’s League (South) Stamford A 100 (11 pts) Stamford B 73 (3). Stamford A names first. M Humphreys, D Heffernan, W Morris, N Wright beat H Gordon, K Rawlins, R Blake, D Wilkinson 30-8; M Ramsden, B Crouch, A McNaughton, R Martin drew with P Linnell, S Downs, G Patrickson, M Hewitt 22-22; P Shaw, A Hynes, B Warters, M Linnell beat S Christie, J Hare, D Bruce, N Crees 32-19; W Aspinall, J Pearson, K Rippin, C Ballard lost to J Suffling, M Smith, B Orme, D Henshaw 16-24.
Stamford Men’s ‘A’ entertain Boston ‘A’ in a re-arranged Lincs League (South) fixture on Sunday ( 2.10pm).
With several players still unavailable, it offers an opportunity for Blackstones’ Paul Martlew to make his debut alongside clubmates Wayne Morris, Trevor Smith and skip Jon Earl.
Team: M Ramsden, M Humphreys, N Wright, A Warrington; G Patrickson, D Bruce, B Warters, M Linnell; W Aspinall, K Rippin, A McNaughton, R Martin; W Morris, T Smith, P Martlew, J Earl.
FINALISTS
Elizabeth Wallace and Christine Ford have reached the final stages of the EIBA Senior pairs at Nottingham, two established county players from Lincoln, Sheila Plaskitt and Lyn Mountain 20-9.
They raced into a 10-2 and added a run of seven shots in four ends before the Lincoln duo conceded.
JUNIOR TRIUMPH OVER YORKSHIRE
Stamford’s young bowlers Owen Aspinall (15) and Ollie Jeapes(14) were members of the Lincs Under 18 team which beat Yorkshire to reach the final stages of the national championship.
The county players with an average age of only 15 outplayed their rivals to the tune of 43-16 over two rinks of triples.
Commented their team manager Michael Kent: "All six players were outstanding with our skips offering inspiring leadership and our front ends laying a solid platform. A great team spirit displayed by our team and its loyal band of parents and supporters."
Semi Finals and Final will be on Sunday March 24th.
WINNING WOMEN
Stamford IBC’s Trudy Bates county league team gave themselves a needed boost when they beat Grantham away 80-72 claiming 10 of the 14 points at stake.
Lincs women’s (Trudy Bates) League : Grantham 72 (4) Stamford 80 (10) Stamford names only: J Lonslow, P Birch, E Wallace, S Henshaw won 19-16; R Roberts, L Tuck, P Jones, D Mackie lost 12-19; M Christie,R Downs, M Holroyd, C Ford won 27-7; J Allen, V Du’Kett, R March, S Moir lost 18-30.
PRESIDENTS’ GALA
A reminder for bowlers that the Stamford IBC Presidents’ Charity gala is staged at the indoor club on Saturday to raise funds for the Evergreen Trust.
The draw is as follows:
9.30 am start: Mike Ramsden v George Clark (rink 1), Kevin Tuck v Jill Goode (2), Ann Holmes v Jeff Pitt (3), Pete Linnell v Steve Christie (4), Ike Zucchetti v John Cox (5), Viv Hempsell v Elizabeth Wallace (6).
10.30 am start: Chris Ballard v Michael Humphreys (1), Shirley Suffling v Rita Downs (2), Sue Moir v Pat Miles (3), Ian Hall v Rose March (4), Dave Heffernan v Ron Blake (5), John Salter v Eileen Purvis (6).