Stamford Indoor Bowls Club round-up
The bowlers of Spalding and Stamford A are locked in a dramatic tussle to qualify for the final of the Lincs Men’s League on April 12 at Louth.
After the latest round of fixtures on Saturday in which both teams took a maximum 14 points, Spalding hold an 89-75 lead but Stamford A, the holders of the county title, have two games in hand.
At home to Stamford B, Spalding won 115-36 with home skip Martin Simpson snatching four shots on the last end to beat Dennis Henshaw’s rink 19-16 and claim the full quota of points for his side.
Simultaneously at Stamford, Sleaford were beaten 108-47, where the main contention, after an outstanding performance by all home players, was which quartet would take the rink honours.
Captain Tony Barwell, Geordie King, Jim Pryor and Jeff Pitt built up a 17-0 lead and looked to have it sewn up.
But. dropping two shots on the last end in a 32-13 win. meant they lost out to Bob Warters, Mike Ramsden, Mick Linnell and Roger Martin, who pinched a shot on the final end against former Stamford bowler Mark Hebden to win 31-9 and claim the spoils on shots difference.
Spalding are the visitors to Stamford A on February 8 while Stamford B travel to Boston A.
Results: Lincs Men’s League (South): Stamford A 108 (14 pts) Sleaford 47 (0). Stamford names only: M Mitchell, D Heffernan, N Wright, A Warrington won 23-12; W Aspinall, K Rippin, D Oakey, C Ballard won 22-13; T Barwell, G King, J Pryor, J Pitt won 32-13; B Warters, M Ramsden, M Linnell, R Martin won 31-9.
Lincs Men’s League (South): Spalding 115 (14), Stamford B 36 (0). Stamford names only: D Bruce, C Jones, D Wilkinson, M Hewitt lost 36-6; J Suffling, P Shaw, B Orme, I Smith lost 21-8; R Blake, G Clarke, M Dye, D He shaw lost 19-16; D Morgan, A Patterson, I Zucchetti, N Crees lost 39-6.
Stamford seniors have stretched their lead at the top of the Lincs IBA Over 60s League (South).
They beat Spalding 72-67 on their own carpet to claim nine of the 14 points at stake but captain Kevin Vinter admitted they could have done better.
He said: "I probably would have taken nine points (away from home) before the match but in reality we should have had 12.
"It looks likely to go down to our match at home to nearest rivals Boston A on March 3."
While Pete Smith’s rink picked up a crucial five-count on the last end in a 23-15 defeat, Tony Scarr's four conceded four and a single on the last two ends to draw against Graham Hicks.
Vital to the success was the convincing 24-9 win by Jeff Bourne, Paul Shaw, Mick Linnell and Roger Martin who built on an early 16-3 lead to win 24-9.
Singles on the last two ends was not enough to earn Vinter’s rink a point in a close-fought match.
Lincs Over 60s League (South): Spalding 67 (5pts) Stamford 72 (9). Stamford names only. P Linnell, D Henshaw, D King, P Smith lost 15-23; T Barwell, D Bruce, D Oakey, T Scarr drew 21- 21; J Bourne, P Shaw, M Linnell, R Martin won 24-9; J Holroyd, S Miner, M Hewitt, K Vinter lost 14-12.
The seniors' next match is home to Boston B on February 5.
Elizabeth Wallace and Christine Ford have reached the area final of the women’s senior pairs, beating Sleaford's Sandra Plummer and Carol Richardson 32-7 on their own blue carpet.
Unfortunately they lost 11-12 to Hannah Kitchen and Linda Appleyard in the Lincs WIBA county pairs.
Sixteen-year-old Owen Aspinall has qualified for the national final of the English Under 18 singles at Nottingham after defeating Evan Kent (Lincoln) in a sets tie-break at Sleaford.
Stamford Indoor Bowls Club is staging an open charity gala in aid of Sue Ryder on Saturday, March 15.
The three-wood triples event has more than £200 in prize money and aims to attract 24 teams playing four matches (seven ends each) in two groups of 12. Cost per team is £18.
Entry forms are available from reception. The closing date is February 28.