Stamford 'Fives' teams share the points

Pictured from the left: Back row) Alan Romaine, Tony Barwell, Peter Edwards, Jeff Bourne, David Howarth. (front) June Brennan, Glenys Edwards, Jeannette Bourne, Jan Want and Peggy Birch.

WHEN the Bulls met the Saints it was always going to be a battle - and so it proved when Stamford IBC's two teams in the EIBA's summer competition met this week in a series of singles, pairs , triples and fours disciplines.

In the end there was nothing to choose between them and they shared the eight points available 4-4, though in bragging rights, the Bulls edged the shots 44-31.

After the singles and fours, the Saints led by four points thanks to Jan Want's 11-9 defeat of Alan Romaine, and the 10-3 rinks win by David Howarth, Jeff and Jeannette Bourne and skip Peggy Birch over June Brennan, Glenys and Peter Edwards and Tony Barwell.

However after a short break, the Bulls captured the pairs (Romaine & Barwell) 16-8 over Jeannette and Peggy, while Brennan and the Edwards beat Howarth, Jeff Bourne and Want 13-4 in the two-bowl triples over ten ends.

Saints are at home to Church Gresley on Sunday at 2.00 pm and Stamford Bulls entertain Charnwood next Wednesday at 6.30 p.m.

HEBDEN MARKS FINE DEBUT

Mark Hebden underlined his debut for the Stamford Saints in the English Indoor Bowls Fantastic Fives League with an impressive 11-8 singles win over Church Gresley's Mark O'Connell.

He trailed 5-8 but picked up six shots in the last three ends of this 12-end contest to give his team a flying start.

Sadly however, though Jeannette Bourne, David Howarth, Chris Barnes and Roger Graham drew the fours 8-8 - after trailing by two with an end to play - the match ended in a 9-15 defeat for the both the pairs (Barnes and Hebden) and the triples (5-18).

BULLS BEATEN BY CHARNWOOD

After three matches, Stamford Bulls are still seeking their first win in the Fantastic Fives series. Their latest setback came at home at the hands of Charnwood, who won 5-3 in points, 34-32 on shots.

Bulls started brightly when Alan Romaine beat N Griffin 11-7 in a 12-end singles contest having led 10-2 at one stage.

In the fours June Brennan, Glenys Edwards, Tony Barwell and Peter Edwards held four shots on the last end with the scores level only for the Charnwood skip to draw in to pinch the points 8-7.

Romaine and Barwell led comfortably in the pairs before dropping a four but picked up two on the last end to force a share of the points 9-9. The triples also conceded a four count but there was no way back and they lost 5-10.

The next round sees Stamford Saints away to Melton on June 17 and Stamford Bulls travel to Church Gresley on June 22.