Graham Smith’s excellent run in the National Champion of Champions singles competition has come to an end.
Spalding Indoor Bowls Club ace Smith was defeated in the last eight to end his dreams of landing the coveted crown.
Having won the club singles last year to qualify as Spalding’s representative, he won through to the final stages with some excellent victories on the way.
Smith travelled to the Warners Leisure Resort at Hayling Island on Saturday for the finals, where he opened with an impressive 21-16 win over Duncan Hanmore from the Angel club.
In the last eight, he faced fellow England international David Bolt, which proved to be a match of a very high standard.
It was close, but Bolt pipped the Spalding star 21-18 to reach the semi-finals.
- Spalding IBC’s juniors travelled to Pentney on Saturday for their annual under-16s singles tournament.
Eight of the club’s best juniors had hopes of success, including Danni Wild who lifted the trophy last year.
But it was Minnie Moseley who went closest, playing some excellent bowls to reach the semi-finals.
Wild and Nathan Puttrell lost in the quarter-finals, while Emily Day, Harry Mycock, Jamie Goodliff, Aaron Barnes and Jonathan Field played some great bowls but didn’t quite make the latter stages this time.
As always, all players were a credit to the club and have promising futures in the game.
- Spalding IBC’s friendly team won at home against Stamford on Saturday –winning back the coveted Welland Salver Trophy in the process.
The match was competitive but played in a great spirit by both teams.
It was the hosts who took the spoils, winning by 151 shots to 81.
The best winning rink was skipped by Maisie Belding ably supported by Roger Rout, Jenny Collins and Gill Fisher.
Captain of the day was Gill Haydon.
