Stamford Top the Table at Christmas

Stamford still on top

Even with a re-shuffled team, Stamford A maintained their slender lead at the top of the Lincs Men’s League (South) defeating bottom club Boston B 123-53 and claiming all but one of the 14 points at stake.

Three four-man teams challenged for the rink honours - skipped by Trevor Collins, Jeff Pitt and Neil Wright.

But despite a seven-count by Collins quartet on the 14th end, it was Pitt with Neil Crees, John Pearson and Jim Pryor, all making their 2024 debuts - who claimed the prize with a 38-9 win including a seven of their own.

Credit, however to the rink of Roger Martin, who picked up three shots on the last end to force a draw - a point that could prove vital at the end of another thrilling season in Stamford’s defence of their county title.

Lincs Men’s League: Stamford A 123 (13 pts) Boston B 53 (1). Stamford names only: T Barwell, M Ramsden, I Smith, T Collins won 31-9; N Crees,J Pearson, J Pryor, J Pitt won 38-9; D Heffernan, M Porter, M Linnell, R Martin drew 21-21; T Smith, M Mitchell, C Ballard, N Wright won 33-14.

Stamford seniors are also chasing silverware in the Lincs Over 60s League and raced into the top position with a 106-44 demolition of Sleaford, taking 12 of the 14 points available.

Spalding and Boston A, however, have games in hand though Stamford’s 51 points from six matches will still take some hunting down with all rivals still to play each other in the New Year.

The rinks of Kevin Vinter and Roger Martin ‘eyed’ each in the search for rink honours but with team captain Vinter conceding two on the last end it proved costly on shots difference.

Lincs Over 60s League (South): Stamford 106 (12 pts) Sleaford 44 (2) Stamford names only: T Barwell, G King, D Oakey, T Collins lost 15-24; J Holroyd, P Burt, M Hewitt, K Vinter won 32-8; P Linnell, D Henshaw, K Rippin, P Smith won 28-10; D Bruce, D Heffernan, M Linnell, R Martin won 31-5.

County Competitions Qualifiers

After intensive qualifying within their own club, Stamford indoor bowlers have earned their spots in the next rounds of the Lincolnshire indoor championships - with John Holroyd claiming representation in all three singles (men’s and Open sets & seniors) as well as the mixed pairs with wife Moira.

Tony Barwell is also through in the singles and pairs, with Tom Newman-Borrett qualifying in both the singles and mixed pairs.

LIBA qualifiers from Stamford IBC: Singles -T Newman-Borrett, T Barwell, O Jeapes, J Holroyd; sets singles - J Holroyd, O Jeapes, J Pitt, N Wright; pairs - T Barwell, W Aspinall; mixed pairs - T Newman-Borrett, JHolroyd; triples - Chris Ballard; rinks - N Wright; over 60 singles - J Holroyd, J Pitt, K Vinter. LWIBA qualifiers include: pairs - E Wallace/C Ford.

County play-offs : 

• U25/Over 60 singles - January 26, Horncastle;

• Singles - February 9, Lincoln;

• Sets singles - March 9 - Scunthorpe;

• County semi-finals -March 16 Boston;

• Joint county finals April 27 - Sleaford;

• Mixed county league final - April 5 Lincoln (12.30 pm) ;

• Men’s county league finals - April 12 Louth (2pm)

• Over 60s county league final - April 24 Boston (1pm)

Christmas tournament draw

The Stamford IBC Christmas Fours Tournament to be held Saturday (December 28) which has attracted a full house of 24 teams has thrown up some intriguing matches, with Neil Wright, the current club singles champion, submitting a late entry in the section section to replace Bruce Acock who has withdrawn.

Each team will play four games of seven ends each at hourly intervals scoring two points for a win and a point for each end won. £300 prizemoney will go down to fifth place.

9.30am: K. Simmonds v J Ward; M. Kenworthy v E Purvis; R. Clarke v P Collins; J. Goode v J Cox; M. Porter v K Vinter; P. Lamb v A McNaughton.

10.30am: L. Tuck v A Williamson;J. Allen v J. Bourne; J. Williamson v D Cave; N Wright v I Zucchetti; P. Linnell v C Ballard: T. Newman-Borrett v P Smith.