One Step from National Finals
ONE STEP FROM FINAL APPEARANCE
Jeff Pitt and Tony Barwell are just one step away from representing Stamford IBC in the EIBA senior pairs championship at Nottingham in April.
They travelled to Peterborough IBC to beat the combination of Cliff Watson and Ray Keating - both former Stamford bowlers - 20-11 having led 11-3 after eight ends and 15-6 (13). The home players finally conceded with still an end still to play.
Pitt and Barwell will face either Roger Cooper and his partner (Leicester IBC) or Irvine Powdrill (Charnwood) in the Area 5 final at a neutral venue with the winners taking on a Cumbrian pair in the preliminary round of the national finals on April 4.
June Brennan and Chris Ford have a bye through to the Area 5 final of the women’s senior pairs against Jan Elliott and her partner from Charnwood, to be played before March 12.
Stamford’s Katie Bailey, Louise Harris and Shirley Suffling represented Lincolnshire in their comprehensive defeat of Nottingham in the Midland Counties on all rinks at Erewash IBC.
Jeff Pitt in action.
AREA FINAL FOR SENIOR QUARTET
Trailing 8-10 after eight ends, a five-count turned the tide for a Stamford Senior rink to reach the Area Final over the Over 60s Fours.
Tony Barwell, Alan Barnes, Tony Scarr and Trevor Collins conceded two shots on the next end against the Peterborough four of Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Cliff Watson and Ray Keating but held on to a narrow lead before finally clinching a further four count, at which stage their opponents conceded at 20-14.
They will play a Charnwood or Church Gresley rink, played at a neutral venue for a place in the national finals preliminary round at Nottingham on March 24.
The winners will meet a rink from either Oxford or West Berks. They will be trying to at least emulate a Stamford rink which lost narrowly to Tye Green in the EIBA final 10 years ago.
From the left: Alan Barnes, Trevor Collins, Tony Barwell and Tony Scarr.
ALL SET FOR LOUTH CHALLENGE
On Saturday at Louth, Chris Ballard, Richard Allam, John Pearson and John Holroyd represent Stamford in the Lincolnshire Indoor Bowling Association Open sets singles.
Ballard and Holroyd face Paul Roberts (Sleaford) and Steve Derby (Lincoln) respectively, with the incentive that if they both win they meet for a place the quarter-finals. Pearson takes on England international Ruby hill in the 7-end set, best of two sets competition, while Allam meets Dennis Skayman (Lincoln).
MIXED AT HOME
Shirley Suffling’s mixed team have a chance to rise up the Lincs IBA Mixed League (South) table when they entertain second-placed Spalding on Sunday (2pm).
Team: L Cave, H Neath, P Jones, D Cave; R Roberts, G King, M Wallace, C Ford; J Lonslow, J Suffling, S Suffling, M Ramsden; E Wallace, S Henshaw, H Gordon, D Henshaw.
FEDERATION LATEST
Ally McNaughton is the latest player to reach the quarter-finals of the Northants Federation singles, conceding just four shots against Ian Smith.
He will face Stephen Harris for a place in the semi-finals against either Tony Barwell or Tom Newman. Martyn Dolby faces Richard Allam for the right to meet either John Holroyd or Adam Warrington.
In the Senior singles, an injury prevented Bernie Crouch, taking on Kevin Vinter who will meet Derek King in the semi-finals. Allam or Trevor Collins face Dolby or Barwell.
John Suffling and Paul Buckley put up stubborn resistance against Mick Humphreys and John Holroyd in the pairs before losing 21-16 but in the other half of the draw it was a runaway 25-6 win for Paul Dalliday and Tris Morton over Smith and Newman.
Elizabeth Wallace has reached the semi-finals of both the NWBF 4-bowl and Senior singles beating Pat Jones 21-7 and Chris Ford 21-17 respectively. She meets Margaret King and Shirley Suffling for a chance to reach the finals to be played at Peterborough on March 19.
WHEN BANTER BECOMES BULLYING
The Bowls Development Alliance, which offers support in recruitment and coaching to bowling organisations and individuals has also circulated local clubs to be aware of a worrying trend in the game.
It warns in its latest newsletter that high-spirited behaviour and banter on the green can often be misinterpreted as bullying.
“Bowls clubs are not immune from this and if banter targets one person and persists, then this becomes bullying.
“It is a fine line between banter and bullying and if it upsets the individual it has the potential to damage their passion for the sport, their self esteem and self confidence and affect their ability to take part.
Says the BDA, which recommends that such behaviour should be reported: “ It is better to encourage, praise and support rather than indulge in negative behaviour.”
Stamford's Management Committee will be considering a new Safeguarding Policy which includes a statement on Bullying together with a Social Media Policy and Whistleblowing at their next committee meeting. Details of the proposals can be found on this website by going to our new Safeguarding Page.
We will be attending a Healthy Living event on Monday 20th February which is primarily for people with Long Term Health Conditions as Bowls is a sport that has the potential to enhance the life of people in this condition. It is being held between 1pm and 4pm at Stamford Art Centre.
If you have or know someone that is in this condition and may benefit from meeting us and others organisation that can provide support then please come along or let other know about this opportunity.
Further details below:
