Both the England ladies’ and men’s senior international series took place last week, held at Belfast IBC in Northern Ireland.
Five Spalding Lightning players contributed for their country in what turned out to be success for the two sides.
In the BIIBC ladies’ series, Annie Dunham, Ruby Philpott and Chelsea Spencer played in matches versus Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Throughout the series, Philpott was leading for Spencer (alongside Chloe Brett from Huntingdon IBC and Anna Noble from Lakenheath IBC), whereas Dunham was skipping another rink with Rebecca Moorbey from St Neots IBC, the team captain Sandy Hazell from Swale IBC and Holly Chaytor from Hornsea IBC.
The England ladies were successful in all three of their games against Ireland (144-85), Wales (124-120) and Scotland (123-104) with individual performances from Philpott and Spencer, who won two of their three matches and Dunham in her rink again winning two of the three ties played.
The team were successful in retaining the Clara Johns Trophy and won the title for the 42nd time.
The BIIBC men’s series saw Stephen Harris and Dominic McVittie play in matches again versus Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Throughout this series, Harris was leading for the recently crowned World Indoor Champion Robert Paxton (Exonia IBC) alongside James Hampton (Exonia) and Martin Puckett (Dorchester IBC), whereas McVittie played three in a rink led by Shaun Jones (Westlecot IBC), Andrew Walters (Welford-on-Avon IBC) and skipped by Jamie Walker (Torquay United IBC).
The side started strong, beating Wales (143-95) but came unstuck against Scotland (102-120) which left the title in Scotland’s hands if they beat Wales in their final fixture.
However, they lost overall (99-114) so if England beat Ireland in their last match, they would win the overall title on shot difference.
In a very close match which was competed over the full four-hour time limit, England won by the narrowest of margins (114-113) and won the RB Hilton Trophy for the 43rd time.
In terms of individual results, Harris won all three of his rink matches while McVittie drew one and lost two of the three ties played.
- The Lincolnshire WIBA ladies’ county semi finals took place last Sunday at Horncastle IBC and saw representation from Spalding Lightning in four matches.
In the ladies’ singles and returning home from England duty, Spencer played against international and Lincolnshire bowls great Amy Pharaoh, from Louth IBC, and was won 21-12, booking her spot in the final versus Helen Butler (from Boston IBC).
The ladies’ triples saw Philpott, Spencer and Dunham against Sue Hoyles, Sandra Tebbs and Sue Simpson-Shaw, from Boston.
Spalding’s women proved too strong, succeeding by 24 shots to nine and they backed this up in the ladies’ fours as well, with Spencer and Dunham joined by Jessica Butters and Danielle Wild versus S Bridges, Fran Davis, L Evans and Di Wilson-Rogers, from Lincoln IBC, and being even more dominant with a 25 shots to five success.
The last match in one of the ladies’ under 25 singles semi finals saw Butters and Wild play each other, with Wild winning 21-3. She will play Lucy Allerton, from Boston IBC, in the final.
With previous success in the ladies’ pairs for Philpott and Spencer, the club will take part in five county ladies’ finals with these, alongside another competition (with the Lincolnshire IBA men’s and mixed finalists), being played on April 26 at Sleaford IBC.
- The Spalding Lightning men’s county league team took part in their penultimate match of the season with a trip to Boston BC A where a victory would see the league title firmly in their grasp.
However, the team went down to a heavy defeat by 109 shots to 53 and did not obtain any rink wins or match points, losing 14-0.
This perhaps puts the league in Boston A’s hands as they have two games in hand and not much difference to make up on Lincoln A who currently lead the table by a single point from Spalding.
However, if Lightning can end the season strong in their final fixture and other teams unexpectedly slip up, it is not completely over for the side yet.
Their final match of the season is at home against Horncastle on March 28.
Rink scores: Ben Sharp, Paul Turner, Aidan Brickles and Dan Mills lost 18-27; Mick Dolton, Ian Stafford, Gavin Staite and Graham Hicks lost 13-26; Nathan Puttrell, Mike Taylor, Ian Harwood and James Teesdale lost 10-24; Tony Westland, Max Butters, Anthony Cronin and Robin Roffe lost 12-32.
- The Spalding Lightning friendly team played in their penultimate match, travelling to Peterborough IBC.
The game was taken hold of by the home team early and although Lightning did start to fight back in the middle, it was not meant to be with Peterborough ending the strongest to secure the win by 138 shots to 86.
The team won on two rinks and lost on four rinks played with the top winning rink skipped by Hazel Tokley, ably assisted by junior member Cooper Wells and Sue Slayven who won 18-9.
The final friendly of the season is away versus Lincoln on Sunday, April 14.
- After their best performance of the season against Lincoln A, the Spalding Lightning men’s over 60s team were looking to build momentum in their closing fixtures and climb away from the Division 1 relegation places, away against Stamford IBC.
However, this game didn’t go to plan and the side lost by 52 shots to 120 and only gained one rink and two points from the maximum 14 available.
The winning rink was skipped by Gavin Staite, with Mike Taylor, Keith Sellars and Robin Roffe who won 21-17.
The league table sees Lightning six points clear of Horncastle who are in last place, although Lightning have played two more games with two matches to go.
Their next match is a very important clash at home against Horncastle IBC on March 26.
Rink scores: Mike Taylor, Keith Sellars, Robin Roffe and Gavin Staite won 21-17; Mick Dolton, Chris Judd, Ian Stafford and David Nunney lost 14-22; David Amess, John Teesdale, Cliff Lattimer and Graham Hicks lost 12-41; David Murray, Derek Chamberlain, Paul Turner and Terry Windsor lost 5-40.
- Ticket sales are low for the club’s next social event, a race afternoon, on Saturday, March 28.
Tickets are £3 in advance (free for under 18s but booking is required) and are available from the stewards at the club bar.
Food at the event is being provided by Captain’s Chippy, of Long Sutton, with a choice of small cod and chips (£8), two sausages and chips (£5) or chips only (£3). Food orders need placing before Wednesday, March 25.
There are a few horses left for £5 each and if you are interested in sponsoring one of the races contact the club on 07517 189149 or via the Facebook page.
