Spalding Lightning’s mixed national Egham Trophy team played their third round match last Sunday against a very familiar opponent in Lincoln IBC.
After defeats in both the men’s Denny Cup and ladies’ Yetton Trophy but success in the mixed Top Club the previous weekend against the same opposition, this one saw another victory for Lightning and fight back to a 2-2 aggregate in these national games this season with a comfortable 94 shots to 65 win.
After five ends, both home and away, the game inevitably started close with Lightning getting off to a five-shot lead (19-14) and when reaching ten ends, this had been cut slightly to two shots (39-37).
Once 15 ends had been completed, the game was still in the balance with a seven-shot lead (61-54) and by 18 ends, this was widened to 12 (73-61).
This was when Lightning put their foot down and went into overdrive with some big late scores and with just one end to play in the match at Lincoln, the game was conceded by them with a final 29 shot victory for Spalding.
The fourth round will take place on January 11 against Nottingham IBC.
Rink scores: Home – Danielle Wild, Tracy Philpott, Calvin Leuty and Jordan Philpott won 33-14 (top rink) and Graham Smith, Dan Mills, Chelsea Spencer and Annie Dunham won 23-15; Away – Ruby Philpott, Karen Martin, Martin Spencer and Mathew Orrey won 20-17 and Jean Patterson, Louise Harris, Andy Dunham and Stephen Harris lost 18-19.
- The Spalding Lightning men’s county league team continued their strong start to the season in their second division 1 match with a home tie against Lincoln IBC last Saturday and this saw a fantastic victory in the end by 95 shots to 52 and collecting the maximum 14 points available.
The team won on all 4 rinks with the top winning rink skipped by Jordan Philpott, with Ben Sharp, Max Butters and Dan Mills who won 31-15. Their next match is away against Horncastle IBC on January 24.
Rink scores: Ben Sharp, Max Butters, Dan Mills and Jordan Philpott won 31-15; Tony Westland, Chris Warboys, James Teesdale and Kevin Ekins won 25-13; Nathan Puttrell, Ian Harwood, Anthony Cronin and Brian Martin won 19-13; Mick Dolton, Paul Turner, Gavin Staite and Martin Simpson won 16-11.
Spalding Lightning secured a second strong home victory in the ladies’ Trudy Bates south division last Thursday, with this one versus Stamford IBC and by a comfortable margin of 83 shots to 58.
The team won on three out of the four rinks and getting 12 of the available 14 points, the top winning rink was skipped by Karen Martin, ably assisted by Christine Williamson, Sue Slayven and Mandy Parkins who won 24-10.
Their next match is at home against Sleaford IBC on January 15.
Rink scores: Christine Williamson, Sue Slayven, Mandy Parkins and Karen Martin won 24-10; Shelia Chamberlain, Gill Haydon, Louise Harris and Maisie Belding won 26-13; Jean Patterson, Paula Lawson, Trish Stafford and Maggie Wheatley won 18-16; Ann Newbury, Julie Hicks, Carole Nunney and Betty Deaton lost 15-19.
- After a successful outing in the Hong Kong Classic last month bringing home a pairs silver medal, club member and England international Dominic McVittie travelled to Australia to participate in the first ever World Bowls Series singles finals held at Barham, New South Wales featuring top bowlers from around the world and the venue country.
McVittie was joined by fellow England representatives Sam Tolchard, Emily Kernick, Nicole Rogers and Stef Branfield as a result of their successes both indoor and outdoor over the past 12 months and who all performed admirably, especially Kernick, who received a bronze medal and Rogers, who just lost out in the ladies’ final and won a silver medal.
Although the other England players, including McVittie, failed to make it out of the group stages playing against some excellent opposition and often home advantage making a massive difference, they are sure to be proud of their efforts and the continued experiences they face playing the sport all over the globe.
- The friendly team had to cancel their last game versus Boston IBC at home due to a lack of players being available for both teams.
Hopefully their next match should again be at home at Long Sutton, this time against Horncastle IBC on Saturday, January 10.
- Congratulations to the national under-18 inter-county Lincolnshire Bears team who got their first win in the second group match for them this season, beating Durham at the neutral venue of Selby IBC on both rinks and by 33 shots to 27.
Leading in one rink, club junior Jessica Butters was successful with Charlie Nichols and Jack Hoyles (both from Boston IBC) who won 21-16, and the other rink of Jess Hall (from Lincoln IBC), Freddie Hoyles and Freddie Knapp (both from Boston IBC) won 12-11.
The next set of fixtures for both the under 18 Lincolnshire Bears and Lincolnshire Tigers will take place in the New Year.
- Finally, the Spalding Indoor Bowls Club management committee would like to wish all readers, members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year as we enter 2026.
