Stamford bowlers in Lincs Seniors victory

Action from the Midlands Seniors match at Stamford

Eight Stamford IBC bowlers featured on their home surface in Lincolnshire's 122-90 defeat of Leicestershire in the Midland Counties Senior League.

Tony Barwell, David Heffernan, Richard Montgomery and Kevin Vinter scored 11 shots in the last eight ends to win 21-16 having trailed 9-11 after 11 ends.

Mike Ramsden, Mal Smith, Cliff Watson and Trevor Collins, however, led 19-18 but in a tight battle dropped singles in the last two ends to go down 19-20.

NORTHANTS FEDERATION NAME THEIR DERBYSHIRE TROPHY TEAMS

Northants Federation A are still in with a good chance of qualifying for the final stages of the Derbyshire Trophy at Newark in April and face title-chasers Lincolnshire in their penultimate southern section game at Stamford on Sunday February 17 (10am).

Captain James Harford has had to make a couple of changes but is confident, with a handful of opposition players committed to the EIBA Egham Trophy at Lincoln, his team is strong enough to prevail.

The team is: Paul Dalliday, James Harford, Simon Law; Brian Martin, Tony Scarr, Tristan Morton; Nick Wilkie, Trevor Collins, Jeff Newson; Adam Warrington, M Humphreys, Roger Martin.

Northants A entertain Norfolk the following weekend at the same venue in a bid to amass enough points to take them through.

In their final game in the Derbyshire Trophy series, Northants B host Hunts at Peterborough on February 17 at 10 am.

Though without regulars Richard Allam and Helen Holroyd, captain Malcolm Squires has drafted in Jeff Clipston for his Derbyshire debut, while Les Sharp returns to Mick Linnell's rink.

The team is: Les Sharp, Mick Greaves, Mick Linnell; Jeff Clipston, Ray Keating, Jon Earl; John Holroyd, Cliff Watson, Peter Brown; Brian Bassam, Dick Noble, Graham Agger. Reserve Malcolm Squires.

All players of both A and B teams are reminded to arrive in blazer, white shirt, county tie and grey trousers as national rules dictate. Match dress is county shirts and whites. Extra meals should be ordered no later than February 10.

For further information visit www.northantsbowlingfederation.co.uk

LATEST FEDERATION RESULTS

June Brennan, Jan Want and Christine Ford are the first bowlers to qualify for the finals of the Northants Women's Bowling Federation finals due to be staged at Stamford IBC on March 17. They beat Julie Masters rink 21-15 at Peterborough.

Mike Ramsden earned a second round tie with Paul Dalliday in the men's four-bowl singles with a three count on the last end to beat Bob Warters 21-19. Bob, however, gained revenge the following afternoon in the Veterans singles fighting back from 13-20 behind to win 21-20.

Christine Ford won her senior singles 21-5 against Joan Robinson to reach the final, while Stephen Harris beat Nick Wilkie 21-8 in the men's singles.

Harris and Peter Edwards earned a two-bowl pairs clash with Paul Dalliday and Tristan Morton by defeating Chris Ballard and Jonathan Earl.

GREAT WIN FOR BALLARD & CO

An excellent win at Boston has put Chris Ballard's Stamford rink in prime position to go further in the Lincs IBA competition.

Having recruited England international Tristan Morton to skip Wayne Aspinall, Garry Knights and himself, Ballard's quartet beat Adrian Field, Ian Clark, Andy Reeson and Jonathan West 14-13.

It was always a tight struggle but six shots in five ends put them ahead and although Boston squared the match, a two count on the penultimate end gave them the edge they needed to face Lincoln in the next round.