Title hopes stifled at Boston

Any slim hopes Stamford Men’s ‘A’ team bowlers had of retaining the Lincolnshire League title look to have ended at Boston on Sunday despite the home team fielding a weakened side, having reached the final of the EIBA Denny Plate against St Neots the previous day.

Stamford captain Tony Barwell was also hampered with players unavailable but those who stepped up put in a good shift and showed the club has strength in depth for further challenges.

Indeed, one of them - Don Bruce played his part in the team’s only winning rink. Alongside Wayne Aspinall, Ian Smith and Chris Ballard they won 25-20 including a crucial six count on the 18th end.

Elsewhere, barely the thickness of a scorecard separated the rink of Bob Warters, Neil Crees - another late replacement - Mick Linnell and Roger Martin from another win as Boston’s Mark Dunnington spectacularly snatched an extra point with his last precision bowl of an intriguing contest.

Mick Porter also made his debut in the 13-21 defeat of Adam Warrington’s rink while Trevor Collins’ four looked good for vital points at 13-3 until their opponents put together a string of winning shots to edge home by three.

To reclaim their place in the final, Stamford must score maximums at home to Stamford B and Grantham, and hope that Spalding - recent 12-2 and 10-4 winners against Sleaford and Grantham respectively -come away empty-handed from their visit to bottom club Boston B.

Meanwhile, Stamford’s second string gathered 10 welcome points at home in a 90-74 win against fellow strugglers Boston B on Saturday.

Both namesakes John and John R Pearson featured in the key winning rink, combining with Dave Morgan and Martin Hewitt in a match-defining 30-9 victory.

The rink of Alex Patterson, Charlie Jones, Alfie Hynes and Neil Crees also responded to a 15-19 deficit to score ten shots without reply in the last three ends, while Bill Orme’s rink dropped four shots on the last end to lose by 24-25.

Lincs Men’s League (South): Boston A 83 (11 pts) Stamford A 77 (3).Stamford names only. W Aspinall, D Bruce, I Smith, C Ballard won 25-20; O Aspinall, M Porter, N Wright, A Warrington lost 13-21; T Barwell, M Ramsden, M Anderson, T Collins lost 19-22; B Warters, N Crees, M Linnell, R Martin drew 20-20.

Lincs Men’s League ( South): Stamford B 90 (10) Boston B 74 (4). Stamford names only. J Suffling, P Shaw, I Zucchetti, B Orme lost 24-25;R Blake, G Clarke, M Dye, D Henshaw lost 14-21; A Patterson, C Jones, A Hynes, N Crees won 22-19; J Pearson, D Morgan, JR Pearson, M Hewitt won 30-9.

Lincs sets singles

Jeff Pitt and John Holroyd emerged with great credit after making the long trip to Scunthorpe IBC to compete in the Lincs IBA sets singles, having qualified from Stamford’s in-house competition.

In the first round Pitt beat Trevor Bannister (Sleaford) in a tie-break while Holroyd accounted for Owen Kent (Lincoln ) in straight sets. Pitt went on to beat Dunholme’s Josh Feetham but Holroyd lost out 2-0 to Lincoln’s Kevin Rands, one of the favourites.

Pitt finally succumbed to Paul Oke (Sleaford) for a place in the semi-finals at Boston on March 17.

“I was dire!’ he said after a long day.

Charity tournament

Stamford Indoor Bowls Club will be closed to its regular coaching sessions on Saturday to accommodate a triples tournament to raise funds for the Sue Ryder charity.

Nearly 100 bowlers will take part, including juniors and several teams new to competitive bowls. 

Bowlers, who will all play four sessions of seven ends are encouraged to bring a raffle prize to help boost funds.

Cash prizes are available for the five top-scoring teams.

Group A (9.30 am):  Julie Williamson v Kevin Tuck (rink 1); Jeanette Bourne (Jnrs) v Alfie Hynes (2); Mick Porter v Shirley Suffling (3); Netta Andrew v Yvonne Monaghan (4); Sue Bellamy v Pete Linnell (5); Howard Neath v Julie Allen (6).

Group B (10.30 am): Viv Hempsell v Elizabeth Wallace (1); Chris Richardson v Wayne Morris (Jnrs) (2); Brian Childs v Ann Sampy (3); Derek King v Andy Nelson (4); John Holroyd v Martin Kenworthy (5); George Clarke v David Pike (6).

Mixed line-up

Hoping to boost their status in the Lincs Mixed League (South) on Sunday will be a Stamford team hosting Spalding  2.10 pm).

Team : L Cave, J Hynes, A Hynes, D Cave; C Jones, V Du’Kett, S Moir, N Crees; R March, J Lonslow, S Suffling, M Ramsden; J Allen, S Henshaw, A March, D Henshaw.