Nothing can stop Stamford's mixed title hopes

Post date: Mar 25, 2017 8:14:34 PM

Nothing, not even an arithmatical calamity, can stop Stamford winning the Lincs Mixed League for the first time in the club's 27-year history.

Despite a 20-shot defeat at the hands of Lincoln A, the three points Stamford picked up from a possible 18 will still be enough to put the title beyond reach of their nearest rivals.

Technically, only Louth A can match Stamford's 116 points. But not only do they have an inferior shots difference, they have lost all three of their away matches so far yet must still visit the league leaders and Boston needing to land a maximum 36 points.

One point from Saturday's visit of Louth A will put all speculation out of the window and enable Stamford to celebrate a title which has immediately followed promotion from Division Two.

The team might have clinched the championship at Lincoln but rinks skipped by Cliff Watson and Paul Bailey narrowly failed to hold on to slender leads, while Mick Humphreys' four recorded two shots on the last end to force a draw and claim a vital point.

Rink honours went to June Brennan, Carol Warters, John Little and Bob Warters who fought back from an initial 0-13 deficit to win 23-18.

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincs Mixed League Division One: Lincoln A 103 (15 pts) Stamford 83 (3). K Bailey, S Moir, Mal Smith, P Bailey lost 18-19; M Andrews, T Mackie, C Ford, M Humphreys drew 19-19; D Hudson, C Barnes, S Suffling, M Owens lost 6-28; J Robinson, M Bloxham, A Barnes, C Watson lost 17-19; J Brennan, C Warters, J Little, B Warters won 23-18.

Northants Federation bowlers will begin their challenge for national titles at 12.30 on Wednesday, April 19, when the county's representatives play simultaneously in the mixed rinks, and men's and women's rinks.

Provisional timetable

Wednesday, April 19: (12.30) men's triples - Michael Humphreys, Chris Ballard (sub for John Holroyd), Kevin Vinter v Derbyshire; mixed triples - Adam Warrington, Christine Ford, Martyn Dolby v Suffolk; women's triples - Fiona Richardson, Margaret Linnell, Julie Masters v Notts.

Thursday, April 20 (9.30am) men's pairs - Nick Wilkie & Joe Randall v Derbyshire; (12.30) senior singles - Joan Robinson v N Cambs; (3.30) women's pairs - Jan Want & Denise Mackie v Lincs.

Friday, April 21 (9.30) men's singles - Martyn Dolby v N Essex; mixed pairs - Carol Hunter & Joe Martin v Norfolk; women's singles - Chris Ford v N Essex; (2.30) men's veteran singles - Bob Warters v Humberside or Northumberland.

Saturday, April 22 (12.00) under 25 singles - Stephen Harris v Humberside.