Ketton Bowls Club stage their second 50th anniversary gala of the season

Such was the close competitiveness of the teams taking part in Ketton's second 50th anniversary gala of the season, it took a calculator to separate the top three on shots difference.

After 28 ends of three-bowl triples, played over four sessions of seven ends, three teams had compiled 22 points, awarded two for a win, one for a draw and an additional point for each end won.

However, it came down to the last match in which the Ketton trio of Bob and Pat Kelman and Paul Galloway beat nearest rivals Dave Donovan, Paul Shaw and Alfie Hynes (Bourne) 13-3 to secure the extra points and shots they needed to overtake them.

Club president Charlie Underwood and Sheila and Steve Brown also won their last match to claim second place prize money.

Dave Kirkwood (Houghton) and Valerie Du’Kett (Langtoft) also had chances for their teams to claim the top prizes but lost in an exciting climax to the event. Karen Wadsworth (Houghton) won a bottle of bubbly in the 'Spider'.

Leading results: 22 points (+14) B Kelman, C Underwood (+4), A Hynes (0); 20 D Kirkwood, A March, V Du’Kett, 19 G Hulme, 17 S Suffling, H Tilley, 15 N Andrew, 12 G Pearson, 9 D Richardson.

For the first time since 2020, Stamford Indoor Bowls Club has entered the the national Top Club competition mixed event which features singles, pairs, triples and fours.

The club is expecting some new blood to strengthen its individual ranks and will play either Grantham or Sleaford away from home on October 27.

The men's inter-club Denny Cup team competition - two rinks of four bowlers at home and away playing simultaneously - will pitch Stamford against local rivals Grantham on November 6 for the right to play either Spalding or Sleaford two weeks later. Losers play in the Denny Plate.

In the women’s equivalent - the Yetton Trophy - the outcome of a win against Sleaford means a tie against either Spalding or Boston. In the Mason Trophy for senior women, Grantham are the opposition on December 6.

Stamford will field A and B teams in the Seniors Double rink - two rinks play home and away simultaneously for an overall score.

The B team face Sleaford A on November 5 and the A team take on either Sleaford B or Boston on November 26.