Seniors double rink finally beaten in last 16

Post date: Feb 8, 2016 7:21:35 PM

AFTER AN emotional, rollercoaster journey which saw them knock out the holders Boston and former two-time champions Lincoln, Stamford Indoor Bowls Club's Over 60s Double rink team finally succumbed to Nottingham A in the round of the last 16.

While the home rink of Alan Romaine, Dave Hudson, Peter Edwards and Martyn Dolby fought back from an early setback to lead at halfway and finally force a draw, away from home, Roger Martin's quartet never quite came to terms with the slower Nottingham surface and were well beaten 27-10.

After five ends Stamford trailed 1-13 overall but the home rink fought back to lead 11-7 by halfway. Unfortunately Bob Warters, Malcolm Cullingworth, Derek King and Martin couldn't handle the sluggish Nottingham carpet against wide,swinging bowls and were still 7-18 adrift by the 15th end. Conceding a five on the 20th end finally put the result beyond doubt with Nottingham earning a trip to north-east hot spots - either Hartlepool or Stanley.

Commented captain Bob Warters: "Nottingham bowlers are extremely capable and have proved before they know how to handle Stamford's surface and conditions.

"Unfortunately we were outplayed at Nottingham where the conditions are slower and favour wider swininging Henselite Tiger bowls which they all used. They also had a wily skip in Dave Adams who missed very few opportunities to snatch a shot in their favour or prevent us scoring."

Result (Stamford names only)

English Over 60s Double Rink fifth round: Stamford A 27 Nottingham A 44. Home- A Romaine, D Hudson, P Edwards, M Dolby drew 17-17; away - B Warters,M Cullingworth, D King, R Martin lost 10-27.

FOOTNOTE: Warters, Cullingworth, Martin and Tony Scarr travel to Horncastle on Monday evening to contest the Area 6 final of the national fours - Stamford IBC's last survivors in national EIBA competitions. However, Nick Wilkie from Market Deeping beat Peterborough IBC clubmate Joe Randall 21-18 to set up an Area 12 singles final with Greg Harlow.

Veteran bowler Doug Want is producing some of the best singles performances of his career despite an operation to rebuild the shoulder of his bowling arm last year.

The former Northants Federation senior singles winner is already through to the semi-finals of the Northants 4-bowl singles with a convincing defeat of clubmate Richard Allam, where he will meet either Adam Warrington or Derbyshire Trophy captain James Harford. Want is also through to the last eight of the veterans singles

In the other half of the 4-bowl singles draw Derek King meets Stamford colleague John Holroyd who beat Bob Warters 21-5, while Stephen Harris will play the holder Simon Law.

Stamford are guaranteed a place in the mixed pairs semi-final where Harris and his sister Louise - 21-9 winners over Liz Hext and Cliff Watson - face King and Shirley Suffling who beat Julie Masters and Brian Bassam at Peterborough 18-16.

In the mixed triples, Richard Montgomery and Malcolm and Ann Cullingworth are through to the semi-finals by defeating John Holroyd's trio.

In the women's events, Christine Ford has reached three semi-finals, including the 4-bowl singles where her opponent Jenny Harvey, the holder, had to concede through illness. Ford also contests the Senior singles and the triples with Jan Want and Suffling after defeating the city trio of Hunter, Flowers and Padley.

At the same stage are Glenys Edwards, Moira Holroyd and Sue Moir who beat Craig, Hext and Bussey 20-17.

The women's Lincs County triples were played at Boston, but neither of Stamford's representatives got through, although Christine Barnes, Margaret Bloxham and Joan Robinson reached the quarter-finals by defeating Betty Deaton's Spalding rink 18-16 before losing to Lincoln by four shots. Elsewhere Glenys Edwards, Peggy Birch and Sue Moir lost on the last end to Louth.

In the men's equivalent, Nyran Graham, Ray Keating and Chris Ballard came up against Spalding's internationals Matt Whyers, Martin Spencer and Graham Smith in spectacular form and finally conceded with the game out of reach.

In the county singles this Sunday at Louth, Richard Allam plays Spencer and Harris takes on Adrian Field (Boston). At Horncastle Ray Keating meets Simon Reeson (Louth), Wayne Morris is pitched against Nick Barnatt (Sleaford) and George Cameron faces Alan Watts (Lincoln).

Stamford B team entertain Sleaford on Saturday (2.10pm) looking for more points to stave off relegation. The Men's A team county league match with Spalding due to take place away next week has been switched to Wednesday, April 6 with an evening start. Stamford A will now host Boston on February 21 (12 noon start).