Stamford withdraws "A" team from County League

Less than two years after winning the county championship, Stamford Indoor Bowls Club’s ‘A’ team has withdrawn from the newly re-formatted first division of the Lincs IBA League.

It was only in April 2024 that Stamford’s first team beat rivals Lincoln & District ‘A’ to take the prestigious title at Boston IBC but despite their second string already completing three fixtures this season, the ‘A’ team had yet to play a match.

Two have been postponed against Lincoln and Spalding through lack of numbers and a third against Horncastle was called off by the opposition. They were due to entertain Louth on December 13 but only a handful of players had put their names forward.

A combination of circumstances has led to the club management’s decision to pull the ‘A’ team out of the league.

The county’s controversial vote to revert to promotion and relegation this season in two divisions instead of the regional north and south split, introduced because of Covid, has been key. The extra travel involved to such outposts as Louth, Horncastle and Long Sutton, where Spalding Lightning are currently playing while their own base is being refurbished, has not proved popular.

But other internal factors have been crucial too in Stamford’s decision. These include reduced player commitment to the new league structure and the policy ruling over post-match meals.

Team captain Tony Barwell who has already been sidelined with a long-term back injury said it was very disappointing to leave the league but inevitable under the circumstances. He hoped a way could be found to re-commit more than one team to the competition in the future.

Stamford ‘B’ and Mixed teams of 16 players would continue to fulfill their second division fixtures at clubs including Scunthorpe, Skegness and Horncastle but it was likely no registered ‘A’ team players would be ruled as eligible for the ‘B’ team.

Stamford B team to face Sleaford at home on Saturday. ( 2.10 pm): G Clarke, C Richardson, A Hynes, S Downs; P Shaw, A Patterson, R Blake, M Hewitt; M Ramsden, J Suffling, B Orme, JV Pearson; K Rawlins, J Wallace, M Dye, D Henshaw.

Result: Stamford 45 Sleaford 29. Stamford names only. Home- B Warters, D Hudson, P Smith, K Vinter won 25-13; away- J Bourne, D Oakey, T Scarr, T Collins won 20-16.

Despite having to find last minute replacements, Stamford’s women’s team, competing in the Lincs Indoor League (South) put up a stubborn performance at Lincoln, to maintain their precarious position on top of the table.

Notably, Miriam Hulbert stepped up with only a few hours notice and Lynn Dunn, making her debut, featured prominently at lead on the only winning rink in an overall 30-shot defeat.

Lincs Trudy Bates League (South): Lincoln 93 (12 pts) Stamford 63 (2): Stamford names only. L Dunn, G Oakey, E Wallace, C Ford won 22-17; M King, J Hynes, J Allen, D Mackie lost 23-14; A White, M Hulbert, R March, S Moir lost 25-12; J Lonslow, V Du’Kett, S Suffling, L Tuck lost 28-15.

Stamford mixed salvaged a point at Skegness in the county mixed league. They might have doubled their points but in a rush to cast the jack to beat the time limit, dropped two shots once the last end was completed.

Lincs IBA Mixed League Division Two: Skegness 89 (13 pts) Stamford 53 (1)

M Ramsden, V Du’Kett, R Downs, A Hynes drew 13-13; J Hynes, G Hulme, S Suffling, J Suffling, lost 16-14; J Allen, G Allen, S Moir, B Warters lost 30-8; C Warters, LHulme, R Blake, D Henshaw lost 30-18.

Last gasp win for Seniors

In a nail-biting finish, Stamford seniors edged within striking distance of table-topping Boston A, with still with two games in hand in their latest Lincs Over 60s League fixture.

Playing the last end of a scheduled 21-end Division One match,  last season’s finalists led 79-73 overall.  But Boston staged a comeback with just minutes of the tie remaining. 

The visitors picked up seven shots in three ends and only two precision drawing shots by Peter Smith within millimetres of the jack, saved the day as Stamford secured 10 of the 14 points at stake in a thrilling 82-80 win.

The new combination of Graham Patrickson, Paul Shaw, Dave Oakey and John Holroyd took the rink honours 20-15.

The seniors’ next match is away to Lincoln on Thursday December 4.

Lincs Over 60s League Division One: Stamford 82 (10 pts) Boston A 80 (4). Stamford names only. G Patrickson, P Shaw, D Oakey, J Holroyd won 20-15; J Bourne, D Henshaw, T Scarr, T Collins won 23-22; D Hudson, A Hynes, P Burt, K Vinter lost 21-22; B Warters, F Addy, P Smith, M Hewitt lost 18-21.