The bowls national finals continued at Nottingham IBC last week and started back with the men’s and ladies’ triples events which Spalding Lightning was represented in both.
The ladies’ triples consisting of Ruby Philpott, Chelsea Spencer and Annie Dunham had won this event twice before and started their campaign for a third title at the last 16 stage against Sue Knowles, Susan Clarke and Bernie Pring (Tilbury IBC).
They got off to a strong start, winning by 19 shots to three, putting them through to the quarter finals in which they played junior international Hannah Smith and senior internationals Izzie White and Emily Kernick (Solihull IBC) in an exciting encounter which they won by 16 shots to 12.
The semi finals saw them play former three-time national champions Paige Dennis, Sandy Hazell and Wendy King (Swale IBC) but again the Lightning ladies were too strong with a 18 shots to seven success moving them forward to the final and a chance of that third title.
This last match was largely a repeat of the final played two years ago against Sarah Gove (previously Chloe Palmer), Lauren Finbow and England ladies international Anna Noble (Lakenheath IBC).
The game was very close all the way through with Lakenheath taking the lead until Philpott, Spencer and Dunham picked up seven shots on the 14th end to go 15-10 in front.
Lakenheath fought back to go into the final end 15 shots all and the Lightning ladies lost the game by the narrowest of margins, 15 shots to 16.
In the men’s triples Lightning’s Martin Spencer, Mathew Orrey and Dominic McVittie played Andy Squire, Jack Butcher and James Rippey (Colchester IBC) in the last 16 but lost to the eventual semi-finalists by 12 shots to 18.
- The men’s and ladies’ two-bowl singles at Nottingham IBC took place last Friday and Saturday and saw the former 2017-18 national champion in this event Graham Smith and England ladies’ international Philpott representing Lightning.
Smith played his last 16 match against Ian Jenkins (Egham IBC) and came through 21-15 to proceed to the quarter final against Ryan Prosser (Solihull IBC) where he came unstuck to the eventual finalist and lost 11-21.
Philpott started with a last 16 tie against Alice Phillimore (Falaise IBC) and won 21-16 to move forward into the quarter finals to face Yasmina Hasan (Egham IBC) where she lost out to the eventual finalist by the same score (11-21).
- The Lincolnshire men’s county Liberty Trophy team took part in the national final at Nottingham IBC last Saturday afternoon versus Essex CIBA who were looking for an unprecedented third success in a row.
In a very competitive and lively atmosphere, the match remained close with Lincolnshire often holding the overall lead whereas Essex were always close enough behind.
After the opposition took their chance to go ahead by two shots (85-87) around the 16-17 end mark, Lincolnshire finished strongly and won their fourth national title in this competition by 13 shots (115-102).
After the match, the captain/manager Smith announced he had played his last game for the county after many years but will remain in charge of this side for one more season.
Rink scores: (Lightning players unless mentioned): Graham Smith, Kevin Ekins, Martin Spencer and Jordan Philpott won 27-11 (top rink); Paul Bark (Horncastle), Lee Boucher (Horncastle), Paul Roberts (Sleaford) and Dominic McVittie lost 18-19; Dan Mills, Dean Stevenson (Lincoln), Kevin Rands (Lincoln) and Matt Whyers (Boston) lost 12-18; Jack Emmerson (Grantham), Martin Pulling (Grantham), Dion Auckland (Grantham) and Mathew Orrey lost 20-21; Paul Oke (Sleaford), Darren Trapmore (Horncastle), Nathan Dunnington (Boston) and Jonathan West (Boston) won 21-19; Sam Ashton (Lincoln), George Draper (Lincoln), Richard Ashton (Lincoln) and Stephen Harris won 17-14.
- The Spalding Lightning mixed county league team finished their season in Division One at home last Sunday versus Sleaford and although they could not compete in challenging for their league title, a strong performance was wanted to finish on a high.
This was certainly achieved as the side enjoyed a comprehensive win by 149 shots to 40 and they gained 12 points from the maximum 14 available to them.
The team won on three out of the four rinks with the top winning rink skipped by Robin Roffe, with Christine Williamson, June Taylor and Rob West who won 57-1 (albeit against only three players).
This means the side finishes in third place behind Lincoln A and Louth (who could still win the league).
Team captain Maisie Belding thanked the players who contributed to the playing squad after a fine campaign.
Rink scores: Christine Williamson, June Taylor, Rob West and Robin Roffe won 57-1; Ann Newbury, Ben Sharp, Carole Nunney and James Teesdale won 41-4; Tony Westland, Maisie Belding, Maggie Wheatley and Graham Wright won 42-12; George Deaton, Gill Haydon, Betty Deaton and David Nunney lost 9-23.
- The Spalding Lightning friendly team played their last match of their season away against Lincoln IBC.
The game was hotly contested by both sides with Spalding leading up to the last five ends; however, Lincoln pulled out all the stops to finish the game winning by eight shots (95-87).
Lightning won on one rink, drew on one rink and lost on four rinks over the six rink fours played with the winning rink skipped by Alan Tokley, ably assisted by Shelia Chamberlain, junior member Danny Griggs and John Selwyn who won 24-7.
