Royal Mail Cart successfully defended the Driffill Trophy at Blossom Way Bowls Club in Immingham on Sunday.
In the morning session, Royal Mail Cart faced Sleaford Town and, although it was close for five ends, the Spalding team were dominant on their way to a 100-52 semi-final victory.
Their opposition in the final were Cleethorpes, who beat Horncastle in their last-four tie.
Cleethorpes opened an early 15-shot lead but Royal Mail Cart showed their battling qualities and dug deep to win by 25 shots (77-52) and lift the trophy for the fourth year in a row.
Rink scores – semi-final v Sleaford Town: Tracy Philpott, Phil Cooke, Jordan Philpott won 34-11; Ruby Hill, Chelsea Spencer, Martin Spencer won 31-10; Steve Hill, Harry Mycock, Dominic McVittie won 20-17; Dan Mills, Simon Lilley, Kevin Ekins won 15-14.
Final v Cleethorpes: Steve Hill, Harry Mycock, Dominic McVittie won 23-13; Dan Mills, Simon Lilley, Kevin Ekins won 20-10; Ruby Hill, Chelsea Spencer, Martin Spencer won 19-10; Tracy Philpott, Phil Cooke, Jordan Philpott lost 15-19.
The day got even better for Royal Mail Cart when they won their last 16 match of the men’s Top Club event in the evening against Northampton West End.
The match was played at Brampton Bowls Club and was of high quality.
The singles matches were shared as Steve Hill lost the two-bowl singles and Martin Spencer won the four-bowl singles. Simon Lilley and Jordan Philpott were always in control of the pairs and won comfortably but when the fours rink, skipped by Graham Smith, narrowly lost, the match would be decided by the triples.
With two ends to play, Dan Mills, Harry Mycock and Dominic McVittie were 19-14 up and when they picked up five shots on the 17th end, it meant Royal Mail Cart won the match 3-2 and qualified for the national championships for the first time in the club’s history.
The finals take place at Leamington Spa on Friday and Saturday August 30-31.
Rink scores – Two-bowl singles: Steve Hill lost 8-16. Four bowl singles: Martin Spencer won 21-8. Pairs: Simon Lilley and Jordan Philpott won 23-7. Triples: Dan Mills, Harry Mycock, Dominic McVittie won 24-14. Fours: John Allen, Phil Cooke, Kevin Ekins, Graham Smith lost 18-22.
* Sutton Bridge Banks Rose Bowl League
Gorefield 0 Parson Drove 6 (50-84), Black Cats 5 Newton 1 (53-38), March Town 2 Gorefield 4 (62-65), Emneth 0 Parson Drove 6 (45-87).
P W D L F A Ps
Parson Dr 11 8 1 2 803 624 48.0
March Tn 11 6 1 4 709 658 37.5
Gorefield 11 6 0 5 719 733 33.5
Sutton Br 11 6 0 5 723 729 32.5
Black Cats 9 5 0 4 413 396 29.0
Newton 11 4 0 7 701 799 26.0
Emneth 12 2 0 10 685 814 21.5
* The 30th anniversary drive for the Ivan Archer Memorial Trophy is being held at Emneth Bowls Green on Sunday, September 15 , 1:30pm start (arrive by 1pm).
The cost is £8 per player (£6 non player) and includes hog roast, hot drink and a slice of cake. Contact Joseph, 07927 011682, to book.
