Annie Dunham has qualified for the Ladies’ World Matchplay Championships at Potters Leisure Resort on the Norfolk coast.
The Spalding Indoor Bowls Club player took on many international players from across the British Isles in her qualifying event at Desborough (Maidenhead).
She beat Jacqueline Henderson in straight sets
(7-5, 8-2) before ousting former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sian Honnor, also in straight sets (4-3, 7-1).
In the final qualifying match, Dunham played against good friend and fellow England international Kylie Jenkins, from Egham.
An excellent start saw the Lincolnshire player take the first set 11-2 but the second set saw Jenkins 7-5 ahead going into the nail-biting final end. Dunham held her nerve to score two shots and win the match 1.5-0.5 to book her place in the finals next January.
She faces a tough opener though, playing defending and five-time champion, Katherine Rednall, from Stowmarket.
Dunham will also partner Scotland’s David Gourlay in the World Mixed Pairs.
In the Top Club competition, Spalding Lightning had a comfortable mixed win at home to Peterborough. Despite a narrow defeat in the triples, Lightning secured wins in both singles, pairs and fours to win 12-4 on match points.
Next up in the third round is a trip to Horncastle on Sunday, October 22.
Rink scores – Ladies’ singles: Chelsea Spencer won 21-15; Men’s singles: Stephen Harris won 21-9; Pairs: Louise Harris and Martin Spencer won 21-10; Triples: Ruby Hill, Ean Morton and Jordan Philpott lost 9-11; Fours – Jean Patterson, Karen Martin, Kevin Ekins and Graham Smith won 22-10.
Spalding hosted Boston in the County Mixed League and started well. After five ends, they were 16 shots up but by 15, Boston had reduced the deficit to only six.
Spalding battled hard until the end, winning on two rinks and drawing on one to win the overall aggregate 85-78, which resulted in an 11-3 match result.
The top winning rink was skipped by David Nunney, with Sue Jackson, Carole Nunney and Mike Taylor, who won 22-9.
Spalding’s third fixture of the season in the league is at Stamford on Saturday, October 28.
Rink scores – Sue Jackson, Carole Nunney, Mike Taylor and David Nunney won 22-9; Jan Sinclair, Maisie Belding, Tim Rogers and Mick Jennings won 24-18; Ann Newbury, Petrine Ault, Mick Dolton and Anthony Cronin drew 21-21; Tony Westland, Sue Slayven, Maggie Wheatley and Graham Wright lost 18-30.
Spalding enjoyed a friendly fixture against Boston on Saturday.
After nine ends, Spalding were 22 shots ahead at 53-31. Boston fought back slightly in the second half before Spalding eventually won 112-99.
Spalding won on three rinks, lost on two and drew on one but the top winning rink was skipped by Maggie Wheatley, with Martin Cox and Doris Rawding.
Spalding Ladies started their Trudy Bates campaign in fine form at home to Boston.
This was a competition that Spalding won last season but their line-up differed somewhat due to various reasons as they welcomed Anita Phillips and Hazel Tokley into the team and a new playing position for Petrine Ault.
Spalding stamped their authority from the outset and won on all rinks to secure all 14 available match points and an overall aggregate score of 102-60.
Next up for the team is another home game against Stamford on Thursday, October 19.
Rink scores – Ann Newbury, Michelle Billingsley, Petrine Ault and Betty Deaton won 31-7; Sheila Chamberlain, Carole Nunney, Mandy Parkins and Julie Hicks won 23-12; Jean Patterson, Sue Slayven, Chris Jackson and Maggie Wheatley won 25-19; Jan Sinclair, Anita Phillips, Hazel Tokley and Maisie Belding won 23-22.