History was made over the weekend as Spalding Indoor Bowls Club’s Lightning side reached the final of the Egham Trophy for the very first time.
In what was their third semi-final in the national mixed competition in the last four years, Spalding beat Solihull (72-64) at Desborough to reach their maiden final in 53 years of trying.
Lightning will now face Ilminster IBC in that culminating contest at the national finals, which are to be held at Nottingham IBC on Sunday.
Always expected to be a close encounter, the sides were evenly matched after five ends, with Solihull holding a small one-shot lead (15-16).
It was even closer as the game reached ten ends, as the game was all level at 29 shots each.
After 15 or so ends were completed, it looked as though Spalding were heading for more semi-final heartache as Solihull were leading by three shots (50-53) – which continued after 18 ends for them to be four shots in front (57-61).
However, it was at this late stage that Lightning showed their true quality and finished the game very strongly, winning the closing ends by a combined total of 15 shots to three and taking the overall contest by eight shots (72-64) in the finish.
Rink scores: Ruby Philpott, Julie Hicks, Martin Spencer and Mathew Orrey won 25-10 (top rink); Jean Patterson, Karen Martin, Stephen Harris and Jordan Philpott won 18-16; Danielle Wild, Tracy Philpott, Calvin Leuty and Dominic McVittie drew 19-19; Graham Smith, Andy Dunham, Chelsea Spencer and Annie Dunham lost 10-19.
If anyone wishes to support the team in Sunday’s final, tickets can be purchased in advance for £5 each from the EIBA website or can be bought on the door if capacity levels allow.
qThe Spalding Lightning ladies’ Trudy Bates team concluded their campaign in the South Division in fine style last Thursday.
They finished with a home match against the champions-elect for this season, Lincoln IBC, winning by a fantastic 79 shots to 62 to gain a final 12 points from the maximum 14 available.
This was a tight match all the way through proceedings, with Spalding leading the aggregate by one shot after five ends and Lincoln then gaining the overall lead by one shot after ten ends.
They maintained this after 15 ends, with two winning and losing rinks for both sides at this point.
However, a big push of 19 shots for the home team over the last three ends and some containment from Maggie Wheatley’s rink resulted in a general 17-shot success and the all-important aggregate points obtained.
The team won on three out of the four rinks, with the top winning rink skipped by Maisie Belding, with Shelia Chamberlain, Gill Haydon and June Taylor, who won 29-13.
This means the side finishes in third place behind Lincoln and Stamford.
Team captain Julie Hicks thanks all of the ladies who contributed to the squad over the season, as well as wishing good luck to Lincoln – who will play the northern league winners Louth next month.
Rink scores: Shelia Chamberlain, Gill Haydon, June Taylor and Maisie Belding won 29-13; Ann Newbury, Sue Slayven, Carole Nunney and Trish Stafford won 20-14; Paula Lawson, Jackie Jackson, Mandy Parkins and Julie Hicks won 19-17; Judy Jackson, Jenny Wakefield, Doris Rawding and Maggie Wheatley lost 11-18.
qSpalding were well represented as the Lincolnshire men’s county Liberty Trophy team won their national semi-final by 25 shots (111-76) against Northamptonshire CIBA at Peterborough IBC last Saturday.
The players representing Spalding were Kevin Ekins, Stephen Harris, Dominic McVittie, Dan Mills, Mathew Orrey, Jordan Philpott, Martin Spencer and the captain/ manager, Graham Smith.
Their national final is against Essex CIBA at Nottingham IBC on Saturday, April 11. The team are looking for their fourth overall victory in the competition, while Essex are going for their third title in a row.
qThe Lincolnshire ladies’ county Atherley Trophy team lost their national semi-final by 15 shots (101-116) against Norfolk WIBA at Huntingdon IBC last Saturday.
Spalding were represented by Maisie Belding, Annie Dunham, Louise Harris, Karen Martin, Ruby Philpott and Chelsea Spencer in the Lincs side.
qJordan Philpott and Dominic McVittie reached the county men’s pairs final by beating Danny Brown and James Heath on their own carpet.
The Spalding duo were dominant, winning by 25 shots to one in nine played ends and progress to the finals at Sleaford next month.
