Stamford earn Egham Trophy clash with Spalding

Post date: Oct 28, 2018 4:53:31 PM

After four years away from the competition, Stamford returned to the Egham Trophy in style, recording an eight-shot defeat of local rivals Boston.

It was 2014 when a mixed team of Stamford bowlers last committed to the home and away format which demands two rinks of men and women playing the away legs while two more play at home - the aggregate score taking the tie.

Stamford got off to a flying start when both away rinks, skipped by Simon Law and James Harford, took control by leading 11-8 and 15-5 respectively at the half way stage of the 21-end match.

Meanwhile at Stamford, Martyn Dolby's quartet led 13-6, while Jonathan Earl battled hard to hold England Under 25 international Jonathan West to a 7-12 deficit, leaving the match poised at 31-31.

The turning point in the match came at Boston on the 17th end when Harford expertly turned a solitary home bowl out of the head for a six-count to give his rink a 23-14 lead. It was enough to create a cushion in the overall score and left Boston needing five shots from Richard Vinter's rink in the last remaining match to force an extra end.

In the next round on November 11, Stamford will play Spalding who beat Peterborough 95-46.

Results (Stamford names only):

Egham Trophy: Stamford 92 Boston 84.Home - Elizabeth Wallace, Helen Holroyd, Peter Edwards, Martyn Dolby won 25-16; Moira Holroyd, Katie Bailey, Adam Warrington, Jonathan Earl lost 16-28. Away - Paul Dalliday, Louise Harris, Shirley Suffling, Simon Law lost 22-25; Bob Warters, Pat Jones, Christine Ford, James Harford won 29-15.

FOOTNOTE: Though Stamford IBC president Shirley Suffling, finished on a losing rink, she helped the team lift the tie, having hit the jackpot the previous night picking up the £40 top prize when bingo returned Stamford IBC for the winter season. 'Caller' Alan Romaine reports a turnout of nearly 60 members and guests who were served by Pam Plowman at the bar, Louise and Tracy Harris selling cards, caterer Mel Weston providing welcome tasty food and chairman Keith Rippin stepping up to provide essential maintenance expertise!

Eyes down for the next session on December 8 (7pm).