Spalding Lightning’s mixed national Top Club team played their national quarter final last Sunday against Norfolk Bowling Club at Huntingdon IBC and in a close game just missed out with two wins from the five disciplines and losing 8-8 (78-89 on shots) with the overall aggregate proving decisive.
In a reversal from previous results, the two bowl singles were lost by Spalding for both Chelsea Spencer (15-21) and Graham Smith (6-21), therefore Lightning had to win at least two of the three remaining matches and by a strong aggregate to maintain a chance of success.
The pairs were comfortable winners with a 17-shot victory and the fours managed to win their last few ends and so close out a two-shot win, however the triples never got going with some excellent bowls from the opposition skip and England international Wayne Willgress and finished defeated by nine shots. Therefore Lightning lost by an 11-shot margin and the aim of a fourth national title in this event disappeared.
The Lightning team hope to bounce back with their mixed Egham Trophy quarter final against Cumbria IBC at York IBC next Sunday.
Rink scores: Ladies’ singles – Chelsea Spencer lost 15-21; Men’s singles – Graham Smith lost 6-21; Pairs – Annie Dunham and Dominic McVittie won 26-9; Triples – Danielle Wild, Stephen Harris and Jordan Philpott lost 13-22; Fours –Ruby Philpott, Tracy Philpott, Martin Spencer and Mathew Orrey won 18-16.
- The Spalding Lightning friendly team played their first away fixture last Sunday with a trip to Huntingdon IBC, which saw Lightning take the win by 113 shots to 82.
The team won on four rinks and lost on two (as six rinks of 18 end triples was played) with the top winning rink skipped by Cliff Lattimer, ably assisted by John Rawding and Derek Chamberlain who won 32-6.
The next friendly is away versus Grantham IBC on Sunday, February 1.
- The Spalding Lightning national ladies’ over 60s team continued their run in the fourth round of the Mason Trophy versus Lincoln IBC last Friday, but were heavily defeated by 18 shots by 44.
Although the Spalding ladies matched Lincoln over the first five ends or so at both venues, the opposition upped their pace and went on to win on both rinks and comfortably by 26 shots.
Rink scores: Home –Carole Nunney, Sue Slayven, June Taylor and Maisie Belding lost 9-19; Away – Shelia Chamberlain, Mandy Parkins, Maggie Wheatley and Betty Deaton lost 9-25.
- Spalding Lightning secured a home win in the ladies’ Trudy Bates south division last Thursday against Sleaford IBC and eased to victory by 96 shots to 65, collecting the maximum 14 points available.
Although Sleaford ladies started well, seeming to find the Long Sutton carpet quicker than the home team,
Lightning managed to take control with a 15-shot lead after five ends had been played and gradually increased the aggregate throughout the game to win by 31 shots. This puts them top of the south division by three points ahead of Stamford (who have played one more game), and eight points ahead of Lincoln (who have played one less game).
Captain Julie Hicks thanked Sue Lovett who came on as a late substitute when Trish Stafford had to leave unexpectedly.
The team won on all four rinks with the top winning rink skipped by Betty Deaton, with Jenny Wakefield, Julie Hicks and Carole Nunney who won 27-16.
Their next match is away against Lincoln IBC on Thursday, January 29.
Rink scores: Jenny Wakefield, Julie Hicks, Carole Nunney and Betty Deaton won 27-16; Jan Sinclair, Gill Haydon, June Taylor and Maisie Belding won 25-15; Christine Williamson, Sue Slayven, Karen Martin and Louise Harris won 23-15; Shelia Chamberlain, Paula Lawson, Trish Stafford (Sue Lovett sub) and Maggie Wheatley won 21-19.
- It was a superb weekend for club member Jessica Butters in junior events both representing Lincolnshire and further qualification in under-18 county competitions.
Last Saturday, the national under-18 inter-county Lincolnshire Bears side continued their good form with a second win in their third group match of the season, victorious against Yorkshire at Selby IBC on both rinks and by 46 shots to 23.
Butters led in a rink with Charlie Nichols and Jack Hoyles (both from Boston IBC) and were successful 19-14, and the other rink of Jess Hall (from Lincoln IBC), Freddie Hoyles and Freddie Knapp (both from Boston IBC) romped home to win 27-9.
The Bears only have one fixture left against Nottinghamshire, whereas the Lincolnshire Tigers still have Yorkshire and Durham left to face, before the winners of the area play in the semis at the national finals at Nottingham IBC at the end of March.
Last Sunday, the early stages of the under-18 county pairs were staged at Sleaford IBC and saw Butters paired up with Harry Allerton (from Boston IBC).
They qualified for the semi finals and won that game in a tie-break after sharing the two sets to reach the final against Knapp (Boston) and fellow club member from Spalding, Aidan Brickles.
This match will be played alongside the other LIBA and LWIBA finals on Sunday, April 26, again at Sleaford IBC.
