It’s been a successful year for Spalding Indoor Bowls Club players on the International scene – and further players have been selected to feature for England in 2016.
In addition to Ruby Hill and Jordan Philpott’s junior call-ups, a further five players will gain England caps next year.
Matt Whyers and Graham Smith retained their places for the International Series in Wales on March 17-19.
They form the front end for skip Rob Paxton, with Perry Martin completing the set.
Chelsea Tomlin will also skip a rink for the first time in the under-25 ladies’ team, with Ruby Hill making her debut as the number two in the same rink.
Lydia Cutmore and Zoe Eagles make up the set at Paisley IBC, Scotland, on February 13 and 14.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Simpson will make her debut in the senior ladies’ team in Llanelli on 11, 12 and 13 of March.
Spalding’s Annie Dunham also retains her place in the squad, while the talented Tomlin has also been selected as part of the squad as a non-travelling reserve.
Simpson plays number two with Paige Dennis, Michelle Barlow and Sophie Tolchard, while Dunham plays number three with Lauren Copeland, Amy Banes and Ellen Faulkner.
- The in-form Tomlin fared well at the World Junior Championships, held at Coatbridge IBC in Scotland from December 8-11.
Spalding ace Tomlin was picked as one of the lady representatives for England, along with Cathy Edwards (Whiteknights).
Her selection was courtesy of an excellent run in last year’s national under-25 singles.
Competing in a field full of the best juniors in the world, Tomlin started well, beating senior Welsh International Ysie White and junior Scottish international Michelle Keenan in her first two games.
Defending champion Chloe Watson, from Ireland, then handed her a straight-sets defeat, before Scottish junior and senior international Carrie McLean – another former winner – edged the Spalding star out in a close contest.
The last game in the group stages pitted Tomlin against Welsh junior international Jodie McCarthy.
With the two sets tied, this game went to a one-end tie break. Tomlin managed to lay game with her last bowl, but McCarthy played an excellent bowl to win the game with her last effort.
In the mixed pairs event, Tomlin was drawn to play with Jordan Davis from Wales.
The pair got off to a storming start, winning their first game with ease. They then lost to McLean (Scotland) and Ryan Atkins (England), who were the eventual winners of the event.
- Defending Lincs over-60s league champions Lincoln A handed hosts Spalding 97-78 defeat.
Lincoln A have won this league for 15 consecutive years, so it was always going to be a tough test.
Although Spalding were only ten shots adrift at the half way stage, Lincoln pulled away to finish 19 shots ahead.
Spalding did win on two rinks, taking four points to Lincoln’s 14.
Their best rink was skipped by Chris Stagles and was ably assisted by Derek Groves, Pete Allen and Mo Moseley.
Captain for the day was David Lunn, assisted by Mike Taylor.
- Spalding IBC prevailed 111-104 as they played host to the team of the Lincolnshire Indoor Bowling Association Presidents. All rinks were very close throughout the game, with the overall score only differing by a small amount all the way through.
The winning rink honours for Spalding went to the team of Jan Sinclair, Abs Belding, Alan Richardson and skip Lily Drawbridge.
The captain of the day was Roger Perkins.
