Despite having a team packed full of Spalding Indoor Bowls Club’s top talent, Lincolnshire’s reign as Liberty Trophy champions came to an end on Saturday.
They were beaten at the quarter-final stage by a Durham outfit that were just too strong at New Earswick IBC.
In a competition that Lincolnshire won for only the second time in history last season and for the first time since 1981, the players’ confidence was high as defending champions.
However, Durham are a strong county that has won the competition 11 times themselves – and boast their own past and present internationals.
At the half-way stage, the scores were level at 67, all with no indication that it would be a one sided affair.
However, Durham finished the better as they ran out comfortable 126-92 winners.
They will now play Northamptonshire in the last four of the competition.
Rink scores: Stephen Harris (Spalding), James Harford (Stamford), Kevin Ekins (Spalding), Graham Smith (Spalding) – 17-13; Adrian Field (Boston), Simon Law (Stamford), Martin Spencer (Spalding), Tristan Morton (Stamford) – 20-21; James Staples (Lincoln), Nick Orrey (Grantham), Ben Wilson (Lincoln), Jordan Philpott (Spalding) – 16-19; Matt Whyers (Spalding), Calvin Leuty (Spalding), Martin Pulling (Grantham), Mathew Orrey (Spalding) – 11-19; Kevin Rands (Lincoln), Alan Watts (Lincoln), Danny Brown (Lincoln), Billy Jackson (Lincoln) – 16-24; Ian Clark (Boston), Rod West (Boston), Andy Dunham (Spalding), Jonathan West (Boston) – 12-30.
- Spalding IBC’s friendly bowlers hosted a game against Perkins Retired.
Spalding got off to a slow start and Perkins led 52-29 at the half way stage.
The home side bounced back well and eventually won 115-80.
The top winning rink was skipped by Roger Perkins, with Jan Sinclair, Eric Wilsher and Tony Westland.
Captains for the day were Jenny Horner and Phyl Borst.
