Under 25s put up stubborn resistance

Post date: Dec 11, 2017 11:20:44 AM

AGAINST one of the competition favourites, Stamford's new Under 25 Double Rink team had to take second best to experienced Spalding at the weekend.

Playing a three-bowl triples format with one rink at home and the other away, the rinks skipped by Jay Travis-Jenner (home) and Stephen Harris (away), they were always going to be battling against the odds. But they put up stubborn resistance against a team which included three under 25 internationals.

Indeed at Spalding, facing England stars Ruby Hill, Chelsea Tomlin and Jordan Philpott, the Stamford trio of James Hebden, Katie Bailey and Harris were quickly 15 shots behind and eventually lost 8-25.

Although nine-year-old Owen Aspinall, Helen Holroyd and Travis-Jenner kept a tight rein on the visiting trio to keep their rink within two at the midway stage, Stamford finally conceded at 11-14 with the overall score beyond reach.

It was a terrific effort by our youngsters who showed great promise and determination for the future.

Result

EIBA Under 25 Double Rink: Stamford 19 Spalding 39. (Stamford names only)

Home: Owen Aspinall, Helen Holroyd, Jay Travis-Jenner lost 11 - 14; away - James Hebden, Katie Bailey, Stephen Harris lost 8 - 25.

Stephen Harris and Helen Holroyd caused a real upset in national mixed pairs beating Spalding international duo Chelsea Tomlin and Martin Spencer 16-15.

Elsewhere in the men's triples, Paul Dalliday, James Harford and Simon Law beat Mark and James Hebden and Trevor Christie 18-10 and in the Over 50 triples John Holroyd, Mick Humphreys and Roger Martin beat Richard Allam, Malcolm Cullingworth and Derek King 23-15.

Against old adversaries Scott Dunham and Matt Whyers at Spalding, Stephen Harris and Martyn Dolby faced a tough battle in the pairs and quickly fell behind, though a four count got them back on track. However, when one down a couple of ends later, a gamble to trail the jack back-fired and they conceded a four.

At 7-18 behind the Stamford pair looked out of it but clawed their way back into the game and finally ran out of ends at 15-18.

Dalliday and Neil Wright also lost to a Spalding combination skipped by Kevin Ekins 19-22.

Stephen Harris's Under 25 singles Area 5 final against Ethan Giblett (Melton) is due to be played at Grantham at 6pm on Sunday, January 7. The winner will compete in the national finals at City of Ely IBC.