Setback for Stamford A in title aspirations

Post date: Nov 26, 2016 9:56:45 PM

Hopes of taking a step further than last season and winning the Lincs County First

Division suffered a mighty blow when Stamford A lost a maximum 18 points away to championship rivals Spalding A.

Just months ago, the team were edged out by Boston A for the 2015-16 title by a single point and had high hopes of claiming the championship, having already taken 32 points from their opening two matches.

But were stopped in their tracks by Graham Smith's Spalding, who despite fielding a weakened side by their own admission proved too good on their home surface, running out comprehensive winners by 79 shots.

From the first jack cast Spalding were on fire, drawing to within inches and destroying heads almost at will when they went against them and had built up a 78-34 lead by halfway.

Indeed Smith had quickly set the tone and had Roger Martin's rink on toast at 22-1 after 11 ends while other rinks failed to combat the surface and Spalding's aggressive style of play.

Hopefully lessons will be learned and Stamford will recover and be stronger for the experience when they take on North Cave in the next round of the Denny Plate on December 10 followed by Louth B in the league the following day.

Results

Lincs County League First Division: Spalding A 142 (18 pts) Stamford A 63 (0). (Stamford names, Spalding skips): W Aspinall, K Rippin, C Watson, B Warters lost to M Elding 29-13; J Holroyd, D Ford, A Barnes, Roger Martin lost to G Smith 36-11; S Harris, T Barwell, M Humphreys, J Earl lost to A Caress 30-8; S Travis, Mal Smith, D Want, P Edwards lost to M Spencer 23-19; R Allam, D Miller, D King, P Bailey lost to J Philpott 24-12.

Stamford's Over 60 Lincs League team moved into the Third Division promotion chase with a 131-75 defeat of Lincoln C, claiming 16 of the 18 points available.

With 54 points from five matches they are still well behind leaders Dunholme (95) and will need to take valuable points from their next two away matches to stay in touch.

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincs Over 60s League Division Two: Stamford 131 (16) Lincoln C 75 (2). T Barwell, G Corby, M Owens, J Geary won 32-10; D Veasey, B Tuplin, D Heffernan, D Henshaw lost 10 - 20;

W Kettle, M Dye, R Harvey, K Vinter won 24 - 13; A Lonslow, R Graham, P Banks, A Horton won 32 - 13; D Howarth, T Weaver, Mal Smith, A March won 33 - 10.