Stamford Indoor Bowls Club round-up

By taking a maximum 14 points from their home defeat of nearest rivals Boston A, Stamford seniors moved a step nearer their goal of qualifying for the county Over 60 finals, likely to be against defending champions Lincoln A

Their emphatic 105-65 win, claiming points from all four rinks as well as the aggregate, means a win at Lincoln B in their last game in the Lincs League (South) on March 27 will guarantee a play-off place at the neutral Boston IBC venue on April 24.

Boston A have two games left - at home to Boston B and Sleaford - but will need all 28 points available and for Stamford to slip up.

In their latest game, the home veterans quickly got into their stride with the rinks skipped by Jeff Pitt and Trevor Collins leading 20-0 and 17-3 respectively before Roger Martin’s rink got in on the act, including a seven count on the 15th end.

Pitt’s quartet allowed Boston back into the game with counts of five and six against them and it needed some handy conversions by Collins late in the game to re-establish his rink's superiority.

While Jeff Bourne, Derek King, Mick Linnell and Roger Martin claimed the rink honours by a 20-shot margin, all eyes were on captain Kevin Vinter's tussle.

Leading 20-19 playing the last end, he faced a potentially point-saving shot against him until his opposition skip inadvertently sliced the jack to a waiting Stamford bowl for the home rink to complete a clean sweep.

Lincs Over 60s League (South): Stamford 105 (14 pts) Boston A (0). Stamford names only. T Barwell, D Heffernan, D Oakey, J Pitt won 29-22; P Linnell, P Burt, M Hewitt, K Vinter won 21-19; B Warters, P Smith, T Scarr, T Collins won 28-14; J Bourne, D King, M Linnell, R Martin won 30-10.

It needed the penultimate bowl of the match to secure Stamford's welcome 12-2 points victory over Grantham in the southern section of the Lincs IBA mixed league.

Despite Stamford holding six points from three winning rinks, Grantham - trailing 79-81 overall - had the chance to snatch the aggregate points if Paul Bailey's rink could extend their runaway win.

But they were denied at the last and, thanks chiefly to an outstanding 28-15 win by Sue Gentry, Bill Orme and Linda and Derek Cave who led 16-0 at one stage, Stamford secured only their third win of the season.

Elsewhere Aprille Sharpe and Ike Zucchetti, making their debuts, both finished on winning rinks and contributed to game-changing vital six counts.

With only two games left at home to Spalding and Sleaford, Stamford need at least maximum points for a chance to secure their place in the new format first division next season.

Lincs Mixed League (South): Stamford 82 (12 pts) Grantham 79 (2). Stamford names only. A Sharpe, V Du’Kett, M Ramsden, N Crees won 21-19; S Gentry, L Cave, B Orme, D Cave won 28-15; R Roberts, J Lonslow, I Zucchetti, D Wilkinson won 21-18: C Warters, J Suffling, S Suffling, B Warters lost 12-27.

Stamford IBC's men's A team travel to Boston A on Sunday looking for vital points that will keep them in the hunt to challenge Spalding for the Lincs League (South) title.

It's a big ask with Spalding leading the table and home to struggling Sleaford while Stamford field a re-shuffled team with Mick Porter making his debut.

Stamford B entertain Boston B on Saturday.

Stamford A: O Aspinall, M Porter, N Wright, A Warrington; T Barwell, M Ramsden, M Anderson, T Collins: B Warters, N Crees, M Linnell, R Martin: W Aspinall, D Heffernan, I Smith, C Ballard.

Stamford B: J Suffling, P Shaw, B Orme, D King; R Blake, G Clarke, M Dye, D Henshaw; A Patterson, C Jones, A Hynes, N Crees; J Pearson, D Morgan, J V Pearson, M Hewitt.

A full house of 24 teams have confirmed their participation in the three-bowl triples gala at Stamford IBC on Saturday, March 15, in aid of the Sue Ryder Charity.

Teams are guaranteed four matches of seven ends duration, scoring two points for each win (one for a draw) and a point for each end won.

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

Group A (9.30am): Julie Williamson v Kevin Tuck (rink one); Jeanette Bourne (Jnrs) v Alfie Hynes (two); Mick Porter v Shirley Suffling (three); Netta Andrew v Yvonne Monaghan (four); Sue Bellamy v Pete Linnell (five); Howard Neath v Julie Allen (six).

Group B (10.30am): Viv Hempsell v Elizabeth Wallace (one); Chris Richardson v Wayne Morris (Jnrs) (two); Brian Childs v Ann Sampy (three); Derek King v Andy Nelson (four); John Holroyd v Martin Kenworthy (five); George Clarke v David Pike (six).

Stamford IBC is sad to report the death of John Allwood, at 96, the club’s oldest playing member.

Both he and his wife Marie, who survives him, were also regular summer golfers into their 90s and members of Burghley Park Golf Club.

Ketton Bowls Club aims to attract and recruit more potential bowlers to its Pit Lane green when it hosts its annual registration morning (10-noon) on Tuesday at the adjoining community centre.

It will be combined with a fund-raising cakes and coffee morning which also features a gardening theme with garden items, including plants and books for sale.