Second Chance after Double Defeats
Stamford bowlers will get a second chance to progress in national inter-club team competitions after losing to neighbours Spalding and Peterborough in the first round of their respective Denny Cup and Yetton Trophy events at the weekend.
The men will face Sleaford - beaten 78-76 by Grantham - at home and away simultaneously in the Denny Plate on Saturday November 4, while in the Yetton Plate, the women will take on Skegness, beaten 95-59 by Boston, on Saturday November 18.
Against a strong Spalding side, Denny winners two years ago and quarter-finalists in 2022, the result was almost inevitable but Stamford fought hard until the closing stages when their rivals stepped up a gear and eventually won by 37 shots.
Most of those were conceded in the last five ends, with the result already just out of reach.
Some consolation came in the winning rink of Wayne Morris, Henry Gordon, a last minute replacement and making his Denny debut, Neil Wright and Adam Warrington who edged out Tristan Morton’s quartet 17-12.
Stamford women also blooded some fresh faces including Miriam Hulbert, Netta Andrew, Marilyn Christie and Julie Allen for their Yetton match against Peterborough and led by a shot overall at 18 ends until dropping their guard with the 21-end finish in sight.
It’s becoming a familiar story as fatigue sets in and concentration dips in the closing stages of key matches.
Results
Denny Cup: Stamford 58 Spalding 95. (Stamford names only): Home - W Morris, P Linnell, M Linnell, S Law lost 15-23; M Humphreys, H Gordon, N Wright, A Warrington won 17-12. Away - T Barwell, A McNaughton, C Ballard, R Martin lost 10-35; W Aspinall, D Miller,O Aspinall, J Earl lost 16-25.
Yetton Trophy: Stamford 77 Peterborough 84 (Stamford names only): Home - J Brennan, M Hulbert, R Downs, C Ford won 28-20; M Christie, N Andrew, J Allen, M Holroyd lost16-19. Away - J Lonslow, L Starbuck, S Suffling, P Jones lost 12-21; R Roberts, P Birch, A Northen, S Moir won 18-17.
Once again, Spalding are the visitors, when Stamford entertain them in the Lincs Mixed League (South) on Saturday at 2pm.
Stamford: J Lonslow, J Suffling, S Suffling, B Warters; R Roberts, P Jones, J Hare, H Gordon; M Christie,V Du’Kett, S Christie, N Crees; J Barwell, L Tuck, K Tuck, T Barwell.
Netta Andrew - debut for Stamford Yetton team
Stamford can’t halt Skegness surge
With just a handful of ends to play in their latest Lincs Women’s (Trudy Bates) League match, Stamford held a clear home advantage before a rising tide of shots from their Skegness visitors forced a dramatic draw.
It was another disappointing result for a Stamford team unable to hang on to a slender lead but at least 144 shots and 14 points were shared.
Rinks skipped by Lynn Tuck and Pat Jones were won - albeit narrowly - while Chris Ford and Moira Holroyd lost by two and four shots respectively.
Stamford next travel to Boston on November 16 (9.45 start), and will be hoping to prevent a similar ‘sea-change’ with a Yetton Plate re-match against Skegness (home and away simultaneously) scheduled for November 4 (10 am).
Lincs Women’s (Trudy Bates) League South: Stamford 72 (7 pts) Skegness 72 (7). Stamford names only: R Roberts, J Allen, R Downs, C Ford lost 16-18; M Christie, T Handley, A Northen, M Holroyd lost 20-24; P Birch, J Clarke, D Mackie, L Tuck won 18-13; J Lonslow, V Shackleton, S Suffling, P Jones won 18-17.
Lyn Tuck in action Centre
Christmas Lunches will again be available at the club this year with pre booking with Emma required, Available from 9 December. Give yourself a treat. Details Below.
FEDERATION NEWS
A v B IN DERBYSHIRE TROPHY CLASH
The English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy indoor county championship programme kicks off on Sunday with Northants A and B teams crossing swords at Stamford IBC (10 am).
Northants A: M Humphreys, T Scarr, A Warrington; B Martin, T Newman, J Earl; P Dalliday, M Jeapes, S Law; S Agger, G Agger, P Brown.
Northants B: T Barwell, C Watson, R Martin; J Clipston, M Greaves, M Linnell; J Holroyd, R Keating, K Vinter; M Bailey, A McNaughton, P Bailey.
Derbyshire Trophy Southern section champions Lincolnshire have now moved into the northern section to accommodate North Essex which could well strengthen the chances of a Northants team qualifying for the national final.
Rest of the fixtures: Northants A: November 12, away to North Cambs (March IBC); December 3, away to Hunts (Huntingdon IBC); February 11, home to North Essex (Stamford IBC); February 18, home to Norfolk (Stamford IBC).
Northants B: November 19, away to Norfolk (Gallow IBC, Fakenham); November 26, away to North Essex (Turpins IBC, Saffron Walden); January 7, home to North Cambs (Peterborough & District); February 11, home to Hunts (Peterborough & District).