After the disappointment of losing the first round of the Denny Cup, Stamford progressed to the second round of the Plate competition for first round losers with a 30-shot defeat of Sleaford.

Much of the credit goes to the home rink of veteran Mick Linnell, in an unfamiliar role at lead, Ally McNaughton, Michael Jeapes and Simon Law who built up a 19-2 lead before eventually winning  31-11 against David Bristow’s quartet.

But the away rinks skipped by Adam Warrington and Jon Earl also deserve plaudits, outgunning Sleaford on their new blue carpet by two and eight shots respectively.

Warrington’s four trailed by two into the last end but a four count was enough to overhaul veteran Trevor Bannister, returning from recent hip replacement surgery. 

For Earl, Owen Aspinall (14) was celebrating his selection for an England Under 18 trial and played his part in a late flourish of five shots to beat Gerald Pask.

Singles in the last four ends were enough to earn Bob Warters’ rink a draw at Stamford against a Sleaford four, in which skip Paul Roberts was outstanding.

Stamford will play Louth on November 18. The North Lincs side were beaten by Boston. 

Denny Plate: Stamford 94 bt Sleaford 64. Stamford names only : M Linnell, A McNaughton, M Jeapes, S Law won 31-11; W Morris, P Linnell, R Martin, B Warters drew 18-18; away - W Aspinall, D Miller, O Aspinall, J Earl won 26-18; M Humphreys, C Ballard, N Wright, A Warrington won 19-17.

A v B clash at Stamford

Stamford ‘A’ men’s team meet their ‘B’ team colleagues on Saturday (2pm) to contest both Lincs County League points and bragging rights.

Stamford ‘A’: W Aspinall, D Heffernan, O Aspinall, C Ballard; M Humphreys, K Rippin, N Wright, A Warrington; W Morris, B Alcock, T Barwell, K Vinter; M Linnell, M Ramsden, B Warters, R Martin.

Stamford ‘B’: S Christie, G Clarke, D Wilkinson, D Henshaw; P Linnell, M Owens, R Blake, D Edwards; H Gordon, B Orme, D Bruce, J Hare; J Suffling, M Wallace, G Patrickson, M Hewitt.

CLUB COMPS

The deadline is fast approaching for entries to be received for 2023-24 Stamford IBC competitions. Forms are available from reception for singles, pairs, triples and fours as well as three mixed events, novice triples and open sets and Senior singles.

SENIORS ECLIPSED BY LOCAL RIVALS

By the narrowest of margins, Stamford’s Senior ‘A’ team failed to make it beyond the first round of the Over 60s Double rink against old rivals Spalding.

With each four man rink playing simultaneously at home and away, Stamford held a four-shot lead overall with three ends to play before conceding a vital five count at home. 

Total scores were level at 31-31 as Roger Martin’s away rink began their 18th and last end and held a precarious advantage with only a couple of bowls to play. Spalding captain Graham Hicks then produced an outrageous trail to leave his bowl and the jack on the edge of the ditch. In a bid to wrest the match away from Spalding, Martin grazed the shot bowl but narrowly failed to capture the winning shot. 

Stamford ‘B’ playing their match simultaneously against Grantham performed well at home but were unable to make up for a dominating display by Grantham’s home rink.

Over 60 Double rink: Stamford ‘A’ 31 Spalding 32. ( Stamford names only). Home - P Linnell, K Rippin, J Holroyd, K Vinter lost 14-20; away - M Linnell, M Ramsden, B Warters,R Martin won 17-12.

Stamford ‘B’ 17 Grantham 53 (Stamford names only): Home -  D King, D Miller, M Owens, T Christie lost 14-15; away - N Crees, P Smith, B Crouch, R Clarke lost 3-38.