Seniors retain place at top of table with slender victory

Despite dropping vital points at home against bottom of the table Boston B, Stamford seniors maintained their lead at the top of the Lincs IBA Over 60s League (South).

Thanks to comprehensive wins by rinks skipped by Jeff Pitt and Derek King, Stamford won 97-71, to claim 11 of the 14 points at stake but it could, indeed should, have been better, even without side-lined captain Kevin Vinter.

Roger Martin’s four led 17-12 after 14 ends but failed to win any of the last five and eventually lost 18-22, while Bob Warters’ quartet led by six with five to play but were grateful to share 38 shots when time ran out.

Tony Barwell, Don Bruce, Dave Oakey and Pitt raced into a 17-0 lead and never looked like conceding, especially when claiming a maximum eight shots on the 11th end. They finally won 30-17.

For the rink of Dave Heffernan, Peter Burt, Martin Hewitt and King it was more sedate and after leading 13-5 gradually built up a 30-13 winning margin.

The next seniors game is at Sleaford on February 24.

Lincs Over 60s League (South): Stamford 97 ( 11 pts) Boston ‘ B’ 71 (3). Stamford names only: T Barwell, D Bruce, D Oakey, J Pitt won 30-17; J Bourne, P Shaw, T Scarr, R Martin lost 18-22; D Heffernan, P Burt, M Hewitt, D King won 30-13; P Linnell, D Henshaw, P Smith, B Warters drew 18-18.

Mixed setback

Stamford’s mixed team suffered a setback in the Lincs League (South) returning empty-handed from Skegness. 

The rink for Ron Blake, Janet Lonslow and Rose and Alec March had a chance to claim points but were pipped on the last end after leading 9-6 at one stage.

Lincs Mixed League (South): Skegness 86 (14) Stamford 60 (0). Stamford names only: L Cave, S Henshaw, D Wilkinson, D Henshaw lost 14-20; R Roberts, A Hynes, S Moir, N Crees lost 18-26; R Blake, J Lonslow, R March, A March lost 13-14; J Hynes, J Suffling, S Suffling, D Cave lost 15-26.

Both Stamford men’s team will be in action  on Saturday (2 pm), when the ‘A’ team entertain Spalding in a top of the table clash, while the ‘ B’ team visit Boston ‘A’.

Stamford women host Boston in the Trudy Bates League on Thursday ( Feb 12, 10 am).