Spalding triumph after shock Denny Plate start

Post date: Dec 8, 2019 10:35:33 AM

THE gasps of incredulity when the first series of five-end scores came through on Spalding's electronic scoreboard from Stamford, revealing they were already 20 shots behind, told their own Denny Plate story on Saturday.

It set the tone for this clash of local rivals in a competition for those beaten in the first round of the national inter-club Denny Cup.

While Stamford's away rinks - skipped respectively by Roger Martin and Tristan Morton against Graham Smith and Martin Spencer - had set their own agenda with a 16-9 overall away lead, the home rinks skipped by James Harford and Martyn Dolby were already trailing 21-1.

Immediately it put Stamford on the back foot in this much-anticipated match and requiring Harford and Dolby to at least limit the damage while Martin and Morton needed to step up even further if they were to cause an upset and secure a place in the last 16 against either Bassetlaw or Horncastle.

Martin's rink in particular - supported by Mick Humphreys, Tony Scarr and the unerringly accurate Richard Allam at lead - certainly played their part and after taking 10 shots without reply in the first four ends, eventually won 23-14.

On the adjoining rink it was a closer, hard-fought struggle before Morton's rink finally conceded the match with the overall score 17 adrift but his rink only a shot behind with still two ends to play.

As for Stamford's home rinks, take nothing away from the dominance of Spalding's blend of youth and experience and quality skips in Jordan Philpott and Kevin Ekins who never allowed Dolby and Harford and their beleaguered players back into the match after that stunning start.

It was a great day for Spalding but for Stamford, best consigned to the psychological file labelled 'forget it and move on!'

Results (Stamford names first):

Denny Plate : Stamford 70 Spalding 87. Home - Dave Hudson, Mick Linnell, Peter Edwards, Martyn Dolby lost to Brian Martin, John Needham, Stephen Harris, Jordan Philpott 16-24; Wayne Aspinall, John Holroyd, Adam Warrington, James Harford lost to Nick Wilkie, Martin Simpson, Andy Dunham, Kevin Ekins 14-31. Away - Richard Allam, Mick Humphreys, Tony Scarr, Roger Martin beat David Staples, Steve Hill, Simon Lilley, Graham Smith 23-14; Paul Dalliday, Bob Warters, Trevor Collins, Tristan Morton lost to Harry Mycock, Maurice Elding, Matt Whyers, Martin Spencer 17-18. BW

Mason Trophy home bowlers (from the left): Carolyn Gray, Rose March, Peggy Birch, Christine Barnes (Stamford B), Chris Ford, June Brennan, Margaret King, Shirley Suffling (Stamford A)

MASONS 'A' TEAM MARCH ON

Stamford A won their first round women's Masons Trophy (Over 60 Double rink) competition defeating Charnwood B 38-21. They will play Spalding in the next round.

Stamford B were beaten 42-36 by Melton.

Results: Stamford A beat Charnwood B 38-21. Home - J Brennan, M King, S Suffling, C Ford won 20-8; away - E Wallace, J Lonslow, S Moir, G Edwards won 18-13. Stamford B lost to Melton 36-42. Home -C Barnes, C Gray, P Birch, R March won 24-13; away - J Want, C Warters, M Broadbelt, D Mackie lost 12-29.