Stamford A keep pressure on the leaders

Post date: Feb 24, 2018 6:59:04 PM

Though able to surge into second place behind Lincoln, with this 32-shot defeat of depleted Spalding, Stamford men's A team still need to claim maximum points from their two remaining home matches to stand a chance of retaining their Lincs League Division One title.

Championship rivals Lincoln, with 78 points to Stamford's 58, still have to visit Stamford on April 8 but still have what looks like a comfortable home win over Louth in the meantime.

Against Spalding, both sides were without some of their regulars but take nothing away from Stamford who battled throughout to secure 16 of the 18 points available.

The rink of Richard Allam, Trevor Harris, Adam Warrington and Paul Bailey took the individual honours with the rinks skipped by Neil Wright and Roger Martin winning well - 30-21 and 21-14 respectively.

A tricky measure with two bowls overhanging the ditch finally went John Earl's way enabling his rink to win 18-16.

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincs men's League Division One: Stamford A 117 (16 pts) Spalding 85 (2). r Allam, T Harris, A Warrington, P Bailey won 30-12; M Cullingworth, C Watson, M Humphreys, N Wright won 30-21; K Rawlins, J Holroyd, C Ballard, J Earl won 18-16; W Aspinall, N Graham, B Warters, K Rippin lost 18-22; M Ramsden, D Miller, A Barnes, R Martin won 21-14.

FEDERATION RESULTS

In the latest round of Federation competitions, Mike Ramsden lost 14-21 to Joe Martin in the four-bowl singles, having led 14-13 at one stage.

In the women's triples Louise Harris, Sue Moir and Helen Holroyd will play Chris Ford's rink in the final at Peterborough on March 18, after defeating Moira Holroyd, Margaret Bloxham and Joan Robinson 24-18.

MIXED MAXIMISE RINK WIN AGAINST LINCOLN

Despite losing on four of the five rinks Stamford's mixed team moved a little clearer of the relegation zone with a 106-91 defeat of Lincoln A, securing 10 of the 18 points available.

However, they are struggling to raise and team for Saturday's visit Louth (transport 10.45 from the club). Potential players are requested to contact stand-in captain Mal Smith or submit their names to the noticeboard.

Against Lincoln, Mick Smith, Pat Jones, Sue Moir and Paul Bailey swung the game in Stamford's favour with an outstanding 44-5 win in which they finished with 19 shots without reply.

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincs Mixed League Division One: Stamford 106 (10) Lincoln A 91 (8). M Holroyd, C Warters, J Little, D King lost 18-22; J Brennan, M King, A McNaughton, P Linnell lost 19-21; R March, V Du'Kett, A March, K Vinter lost 10-25; Mick Smith, P Jones, S Moir, P Bailey won 44-5; M Ramsden, S Henshaw, P Birch, Mal Smith lost 15-18.

B TEAM ECLIPSED AT HORNCASTLE

Stamford men's B team missed a chance to enhance their second position in the Lincs Men's League Division Two, beaten 107-79 at Horncastle and pick up just three points.

Ron Blake, Tony Mackie, Darren Middleton and Pete Linnell were the only winners in a 20-14 scoreline, while the rink of Trevor Christie pinched a point with a shot to draw level on the 21st end.

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincs Men's League Division Two: Horncastle 107 (15) Stamford B 79 (3). T Barwell, B Burton, M Hebden, T Christie drew 21-21; R Blake, T Mackie, D Middleton, P Linnell won 20-14; Mick Smith, D Bruce, M Dye, M Hewitt lost 14-29; G Knights, A Lonslow, A McNaughton, D Heffernan lost 9-21; D Howarth, D Veasey, P Banks, Richard Martin lost 15-22.

SENIOR AREA FINALISTS

The rink of Mal Smith, Doug Want, Peter Edwards and Martin Dolby have reached the Area finals of the Over 60s Fours - the discipline in which Stamford were losing National finalists five years ago.

They comfortable accounted for Graham Wright's experienced quartet 24-8 and will now play four from Leicester at Melton later this month.

NORTHANTS' HOPES OF GLORY DASHED

Dwindling hopes that the Northants A team could lock down a place in the Derbyshire Trophy Federation inter-county Championship finals were dashed on Sunday by Norfolk at Gallow IBC in Fakenham.

The home side were relentless on two of the four rinks, quickly putting any hopes Northants had beyond reach as they went on to win 129-64 claiming 12 of the 14 points at stake.

Only the rink of Brian Martin, Richard Allam (making a county re-call) and Roger Martin salvaged some pride with a 25-21 win in the two-bowl triples format after trailing 6-13 and then 20-21 with two ends to go.

James Harford, partnered by Neil Wright and the evergreen Jeff Newson led 19-17 at 19 ends but conceded seven in five ends.

Conceding 23 shots in 10 ends put paid to Simon Law's hopes while despite switching to lead to good effect at the midway point Martyn Dolby's trio were unable to prevent a rampant Sam King trio scoring a 32-shot victory.

Norfolk entertain league leaders Lincolnshire on Sunday needing maximum points to qualify for the finals at Newark.

Results (Stamford names only):

Derbyshire Trophy : Norfolk 129 (12 pts) Northants A (2). B Martin, R Allam, R Martin won 25-21; P Dalliday, P Afford, S Law lost 10-41; N Wright, J Newson, J Harford lost 20-25; H Shipp, B Warters, M Dolby lost 9-41. BW