Stephen Harris strolls into Lincolnshire finals
Post date: Mar 31, 2018 12:35:57 PM
Jordan Philpott (Spalding) in action during the county semi-finals at Stamford at the weeekend.
Stephen Harris, the Stamford 20-year-old, took a step nearer to retaining his Lincolnshire IBA 4-bowl singles title when on his home surface, he overwhelmed Lincoln's Sam Ashton 23-6 in the semi-final.
Harris (pictured left) will play Graham Smith (Spalding) - the current national two bowl singles champion - who beat Jonathan West (Boston) 21-16 in the county finals due to be staged at Louth on Sunday April 22. Harris never allowed his opponent to settle and quickly built up a 14-2 lead, scoring 11 shots without reply from the fifth end with immaculate drawing. Ashton responded with three singles but nine further shots including a full house put the 20 year old beyond reach.
Also reaching the county finals are Christine Ford and Martyn Dolby whom, after trailing Rachel Stanley and Simon Reeson (Louth) early on, ran out winners 21-12. Turning point came at the 12th of the 18 ends with a string of 4,2,2,2, finally clinching it with a three count on the final end.
Sadly, Stamford chairman Keith Rippin (pictured with George Draper) failed to rediscover the form that had earned him a place in the semi-finals of the Over 60 singles and Lincoln veteran George Draper ran away an 18-7 winner.
Draper, who will play Trevor Bannister (Sleaford) in the final, also won his pairs with Sam Ashton 21-12 over fellow Lincoln bowlers James Staples and Tony Conroy. They will play Danny Brown and Billy Jackson in the final, the Lincoln pair overcoming Andy Reeson and Richard Vinter (Boston) 15-10.
Elsewhere two exciting triples caught the imagination, neither of which were settled before the final 18th end. The Spalding trio of brothers Scott & Andy Dunham, joined with Matt Orrey to lead Rod and Jonathan West and Andy Reeson (Boston) 12-7 at halfway before Boston grabbed a six count. A four on the 16th put Spalding back in charge, adding a single on the last end to win 18-16.
They will play former world singles champion Billy Jackson (Lincoln), his son Ryan and Kevin Rands, who fought back from 0-6 down after five ends to record three threes and two four-count to run out 21-15 victors over the Horncastle trio of Paul Boulton, Keith Jackman and Paul Bark.Jordan Philpott (Spalding) accounted for Lincoln's Greg Smith in the Under 25 singles in straight sets 7-4, 8-0, while clubmate Graham Smith also reached the final of the sets with a 7-7, 11-2 defeat of David Bristow (Sleaford). He will meet Richard Vinter (Boston) who beat James Staples (Lincoln) 5-4, 4-8 after a tie break.Expect fireworks when the county rinks final takes place later this month, judging by the vocal excitement generated in the semis. Jonathan West skipped his Boston rink to victory over Sleaford 21-12, while Billy Jackson's quartet beat Spalding 21-16.
The Lincolnshire IBA and competition secretary Simon Reeson wish to acknowledge the support of Stamford IBC who supplied all the volunteer singles markers under the guidance of acting umpire Mal Smith.
For further details visit www.lincolnshireiba.co.uk
Martyn Dolby and Christine Ford (left) reached the finals of the mixed pairs beating Simon Reeson and Rachel Stanley (Louth)