Stamford 'A' Lead County Table by 12 Points
STAMFORD ‘A’ CRUSH NEAREST RIVALS
Expecting a tense and close battle against their nearest rivals Sleaford for the leadership of the Lincs men’s League southern section, Stamford IBC’s A team, travelled with some trepidation to a surface running quicker than their own.
But they adapted magnificently, quickly got into their stride and emerged comfortable winners to take a 12 point lead into 2023 before their next fixture at Boston on January 14.
Richard Allam in action at home in a previous match.
Rinks skipped by Roger Martin and Adam Warrington, set up an early overall lead which they never conceded and a third Stamford rink pinched an extra point with a deserved draw with the last bowl of their match. It could be vital at the end of the season as the team took 11 of the 14 points at stake.
Martin’s rink with Wayne Aspinall, Ally McNaughton and Mick Linnell led 26-1 at one stage while, supported by Mick Humphreys, Chris Ballard and 14 year-old Owen Aspinall, Warrington’s four built up a 22-4 advantage which kept the overall score rarely in doubt.
Sleaford 74 (3) Stamford 87 (11). Stamford names only: T Barwell, M Ramsden, R Allam, B Warters drew 17-17; W Morris, D Miller, J Earl, M Dolby lost 7-38; W Aspinall, A McNaughton, M Linnell, R Martin won 36-9; M Humphreys, C Ballard, O Aspinall, A Warrington won 27-10.
Meanwhile after a bright start to the season, Stamford B have found it tough going in the Lincs League (South) but have offered the chance for new players to gain experience, the latest of whom - Graham Patrickson - made his debut at home to Spalding.
He joined a rink of John Suffling, Bill Orme and Dennis Henshaw and they held the opposition for 13 ends before finally faded to a 25-16 defeat.
Elsewhere, the only consolation points in an overall 93-68 loss came in the 23-22 defeat of Graham Smith’s rink by Ron Blake, Dean Wilkinson, Neil Crees and Martin Hewitt.
Stamford B 68 (2) Spalding 93 (12) Stamford names only: R Blake, D Wilkinson, N Crees, M Hewitt won 23-22; H Gordon, D Bruce, M Owens, A McNaughton lost 16-18; G Patrickson, J Suffling, B Orme, D Henshaw lost 16-25; M Smith, M Wallace, D Ford, D Middleton lost 13-28.
NATIONAL SURPRISE
Peter Smith and Neil Crees caused something of an internal upset when they beat the experienced duo of Trevor Collins and Tony Scarr in the national Over 60 pairs. They led 9-0 and eventually hung on 18-15.
In the Senior singles, there was no joy for either Martyn Dolby or Crees beaten 21-13 and 21-14 by Nick Wilkie (Spalding) and Nigel Eagle (Peterborough).
Margaret King lost her champion of champions singles 9-21 at home to England international, Chelsea Spencer.
OBITUARIES
Stamford IBC is sad to report the passing of Margaret Bloxham, a former president, and also member, Sandra Gabriel.
LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS PRESENT?
Why not buy your loved one a bowls holiday? There are a limited number of bungalows available on the club’s excursion to Potters Leisure Resort in October 2023. It is a 4 night ‘all inclusive’ bowling break starting on 3 October with deposits now being taken. Further information from Edna Rippin at edna.rippin@gmail.com.
PAIRS TEAMS NEEDED
Following the withdrawal of ‘Midges’ From the Friday morning domestic 4-bowl pairs league, the league secretary is looking for a replacement team to take over the rest of their fixtures. Another team is also looking for players to join it.
The Sunday mornings pairs' league is also looking for players. If members are interested in competing in these popular competitions, please contact the league secretary, Roger Clarke (email:clarkeroger911@gmail.com).
Mason Trophy Derby Clash
Stamford IBC senior women embark on another Mason Trophy campaign on Friday against Grantham (10am) - one rink at home and one away, playing simultaneously with aggregate score to count.
Stamford team: Home - J Brennan, C Barnes, S Suffling, C Ford; away - M King, E Wallace, R March, P Jones.
Home Game for Mixed Team
Yet to record a win in the Lincs League (south), Stamford’s mixed team will be hoping for changing fortunes at home to Skegness on Saturday, December 17 (2pm).
Stamford: C Warters, H Neath, S Suffling, B Warters; J Suffling, J Lonslow, R March, A March; E Wallace, Geordie King, P Jones, M Ramsden; H Gordon, V Du’Kett, M Wallace, C Ford.
DERBY CLASH IN DENNY PLATE
A place in the Area Final against either Horncastle or Alfreton is up for grabs if Stamford can win their next round of the Denny Plate against the holders Melton on Saturday, 10 am.
The team which will play two rinks at home and two away simultaneously with the aggregate scores to count, has been weakened by absentees but has enough experience at this level, having reached the quarter-finals in 2015, to put up a solid performance.
Club singles champion Martyn Dolby will skip one of the away rinks while on the other Adam Warrington will have 14-year-old Owen Aspinall as his No.3. Stamford: Home - Tony Barwell, Mike Ramsden, Neil Wright, Chris Ballard; Richard Allam, Keith Rippin, Mick Linnell, Bob Warters. Away - Wayne Aspinall, Dusty Miller, Jon Earl, Martyn Dolby; Wayne Morris, Ally McNaughton, Owen Aspinall, Adam Warrington.
Neil Wright in action
HUNTS HUMBLED BY NORTHANTS ‘A’
Northants Federation’s ‘A’ team must wait until February to discover if they can qualify for the indoor inter-county Derbyshire Trophy final for the third time in four seasons, when they visit Lincolnshire and Norfolk in successive weeks.
They humbled nearest challengers and southern section leaders Huntingdonshire to go 12 points clear at the top, making three straight wins with a maximum 14 points in a 111-85 win. Despite the points haul, the margin of victory in three of the four rinks was in single figures with Trevor Collins, Adam Warrington and Tristan Morton succeeding by 12.
Northants B gave their senior colleagues a taste of the task facing them when they lost at home to Lincs 78-89 but captured four points.
RESULTS
Northants A 111 (14), Hunts 85 (0).Northants rinks only): Brian Martin, John Earl, Martyn Dolby won 23-21; Trevor Collins, Adam Warrington, Tristan Morton won 31-19; Stuart & Graham Agger, Peter Brown won 27-24; Paul Dalliday, Mike Robertson, Simon Law won 30-21.
Northants B 78 (4), Lincs 89 (10). Northants B rinks only: Terry Corney, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter won 24-13; Jeff Clipston, Cliff Watson, Phil Afford lost 15-29; Richard Allam, Martin & Paul Bailey won 23-17; Michael Humphreys, Tom Newman, Ray Keating lost 16-30.
After a long illness Malcolm Squires from Market Deeping who was twice a former president of the Northants Bowling Federation, died at Peterborough City Hospital on Saturday, aged 76.
Over the past four decades he and his widow Norma have been influential administrators at both county and club level. Both were involved in the emergence of City of Peterborough Bowls Club after their former Molins green was re-developed,
In September, Malcolm’s service to bowls was recognised at the county’s annual lunch. He had won multiple titles and captained county sides in the Newton, Adams and Derbyshire Trophy.
Funeral details will be announced shortly on the Northants Bowling Federation website.