Spalding IBC club captain Graham Smith has qualified for the national two-bowl singles finals.
The first of the national area qualifying finals were played at Sleaford IBC and saw Nick Wilkie play Paul Bark (Horncastle IBC) in the men’s o60 singles, while Smith took on Sam Ashton (Lincoln IBC).
It was a step too far for Wilkie as he went down 21-11 but 2018 champion Smith enjoyed a comfortable 21-7 victory to qualify for the national finals at Nottingham IBC on Friday and Saturday, 10 and 11 April.
Spalding Lightning’s friendly team went down 96-72 after battling the weather conditions to reach Horncastle.
The team won on two rinks but lost on three, with the top rink skipped by Doris Rawding, with John Rawding and Derek Chamberlain, winning 18-12.
The next friendly is at home to Lincoln on Sunday.
Lightning’s men’s County League leading team lost on a quick carpet at Lincoln IBC. They gained only four points of the 14 available in an 88-67 defeat.
They won on two rinks and lost on two, with the top rink skipped by Brian Martin, with Nathan Puttrell, Robin Roffe and James Teesdale winning 31-14.
After tasting a first victory of the season in their last league match, Lightning’s o60s team failed to repeat it, losing 100-71 at Louth, winning one rink and picking up only two points.
The winning rink was skipped by Martin Simpson, with Paul Turner, Robin Roffe and Terry Windsor, who won 35-14.
The county set singles qualifiers were held at Horncastle and saw Aidan Brickles, Kevin Ekins and Stephen Harris lose at the round of 16 stage.
However, Jordan Philpott fought through three tie-breaks to book a semi-final spot. In a repeat of last year’s final, he will take on Paul Oke (Sleaford) at Lincoln IBC on Sunday, March 8.
The county mixed u25s and mixed o60s singles qualifiers were held at Louth. Aidan Brickles, Jessica Butters and Max Butters lost in the junior quarter-finals, while Martin Simpson was defeated at the o60s last 16 stage.
Lincolnshire CIBA o55s seniors’ Midland Counties team lost 98-93 to Leicestershire at Boston.
The home team included a Spalding rink of Tony Westland, Ian Stafford, David Nunney and Martin Simpson, who lost 15-11.
