After success two seasons ago, Spalding Lightning’s Dominic McVittie qualified for the national men’s singles finals at Nottingham IBC and was looking to have another deep run.
McVittie started his campaign last Wednesday in the last 16 stage versus Garry Warrender (Tye Green IBC) and got off to a strong start, winning 21-13 and advanced to the quarter finals where he faced fellow England international Martin Heitzman (Falaise IBC) and in an expected close tie got home 21-17.
The semi finals the following morning saw McVittie play Ryan Prosser (Solihull IBC) but he was again too strong, winning comfortably 21-8.
This meant another national final which saw McVittie play Mark Hughes (Selby IBC).
The encounter, which was live streamed on EIBA TV, saw McVittie start well and hold a good lead in the middle of the game but never quite being able to shake Hughes off.
However, in the end, he got to the magical 21 shots total first (21-13) and so win his second national men’s singles championship in the last three years.
This is an amazing achievement for a superb player and continues a great start to the national finals period for Spalding Lightning after success in the mixed Egham Trophy.
- The individual competitions started at Nottingham IBC last Monday with the men’s and ladies’ fours in both of which the club had representation.
The ladies’ fours consisting of Danielle Wild, Ruby Philpott, Annie Dunham and Chelsea Spencer played their last 16 match against Sue Knowles, Michelle Squires, Bernie Pring and Elaine Score (Tilbury IBC) and got off to a secure start winning by 16 shots to seven.
In the quarter finals they faced Samantha Richardson, junior international Amica Fordy, Bev Lynch and Dani Martinson (Hartlepool IBC) and cruised through winning by 17 shots to five.
The semi finals saw the ladies play Clare Stevens, Doreen De Silva and two senior internationals Katherine Hawes and Lorraine Kuhler (Adur IBC) which finished 15 shots all after the played 18 ends and went to an extra end decider.
This was played three times and the Lightning ladies lost 15 shots to 16.
Philpott, Spencer and Dunham will all have chances to go for glory in later individual competitions and Wild will be part of the under-30 inter-club double rink team.
In the men’s fours Lightning’s Stephen Harris, Martin Spencer, Mathew Orrey and McVittie, who were national runners-up last season, played senior international and World Bowls Tour top 16 player Aaron Johnson, Richard Summers, James Segolo and another international Wayne Willgress (Norfolk BC) in the last 16 and came unstuck at this early stage, losing by 16 shots to 20.
Spencer, Orrey and McVittie still have chances to succeed later in the finals and Harris will be part of the under-30 inter-club double rink team.
- The annual Presidents’ Match’ led by the club Men’s President Kevin Ekins and club Ladies’ President Julie Hicks took place last Tuesday.
Although the men won the game in the end by 85 shots to 46, the afternoon was enjoyed by all with the match followed by refreshments supplied by the local Co-op and cakes made by some of the members.
Both presidents thanked those who played and helped throughout the event and look forward to the tie being played again next season, with the ladies looking for revenge.
