Stamford bowlers reach EBF national finals

Post date: Apr 22, 2015 11:49:17 AM

Day two extra

Jan Want, Nick Wilkie and Stephen Harris put up a brave fight but proved no match for the 2013 winners of the English Federation mixed triples from Nottingham.

Jane Croxall, Simon Barker and Calvin Rawson showed their combined class to run out comfortable winners after racing to 15-4 by claiming five successive ends from the 10th. Wilkie and Want switched positions as the Federation rules allow but they couldn't shake the Notts trio off their line and length on another tricky Newark rink. The final score was 8-20.

Martyn Dolby reached the semi-final of the English Federation Senior Singles and is on target to complete five singles titles this year - two club one at Stamford, the Northants Over 65s and Lincs County Seniors. In a one sided match against Lincoln's Brian Day he romped,home 21-8.

In a high quality match Simon Law lost his four bowl singles to Gary Shepperson from Nottinghamshire 14-21 and Jenny Harvey and Carol Hunter went down 12-17 to Hunts in the women's pairs.

Day Two (Earlier)

Wilkie, Jan Want and Harris reached the final of the mixed triples with a thrilling defeat of three players from Derbyshire.

Thanks to some accurate leading by Wilkie, good support from Want and some saving bowls from 17-year-old Harris when needed, they built up a 16-6 lead after 16 ends. The Derbyshire trio hit back with a three on the 18th end to trail 9-17 but it was Harris who secured a final place against Nottinghamshire when he drew shot on the 20th end.

Following their narrow defeat of Notts , Northants' Men's rink also reached their final with a 21-17 defeat of a plucky Northumberland.

Neil Wright was a little out of sorts at lead but stuck to his task and played some telling strategic bowls towards the end when their opponents were chasing the game. Simon Law and Tris Morton also struggled at times but just had enough drawing skills in the finish to hold off their rivals. They are due to play local rivals Hunts in the final this evening, who beat a lively Suffolk trio 21-7.

Martyn Dolby raced into an 11-0 lead in the Senior singles against Notts' Geoff Allen quickly finding the pace and line of the rink, though his opponent fought back bravely to 10-18, but Dolby finally claimed three shots he needed.

Sadly for Ann Holmes and Richard Allam their championship hopes ended at the first hurdle in the mixed pairs against North Cambs' L Quibell and 'Frankie' Howard.

They held on gamely on the end rink at 7-7 after eight ends but finally long jacks got the better of them and conceding four shots on the 12th end proved a turning point. They went down 11-19.