Spalding Indoor Bowls Club’s mixed top club team moved into the quarter-finals of the national competition with a 10-6 win at Lincoln.
Spalding, the 2015 national champions, knew they were in for a tough match – which was further emphasised when the first two points were secured by Lincoln after they won the ladies’ singles.
With Spalding comfortably winning the pairs and triples, they knew that the men’s singles would be pivotal and likely to be the key to the next round.
Stephen Harris handled the pressure well and fought back to level the overall match with a 21-16 win in the men’s singles.
The next points were scored by Spalding as Ruby Hill and Jordan Philpott secured a win in the pairs – which meant that one win out of the triples and fours would see the team through.
Although Spalding’s fours were two behind playing the last end, Lincoln conceded the match as Andy Dunham, Annie Dunham and Martin Spencer won the triples 23-10 against a rink skipped by Lincoln’s 2009 world singles champion, Billy Jackson.
Spalding won the overall match 10-6 on points and progress to play Blackpool Newton Hall.
Rink Scores: Ladies’ singles – Chelsea Tomlin lost 11-21; men’s singles – Stephen Harris won 21-16; pairs – Ruby Hill and Jordan Philpott won 22-14; triples – Andy Dunham, Annie Dunham & Martin Spencer won 23-10; fours – Jean Patterson, Lauren Finbow, Graham Smith & Mathew Orrey lost 17-19.
- There were mixed emotions for Spalding as their men progressed to the national quarter-final of the Denny Plate – but the women lost out in the last 16 of the Yetton Trophy.
In the Denny Plate, Spalding’s men were probably favourites going into the match and showed their class before closing out a big 105-69 win.
Spalding stamped their authority from the outset and were 25-15 up by five ends, which was extended to 55-40 at ten ends and 76-57 at 15 ends before accelerating to their win.
Spalding won on all rinks but an impressive 29-15 rink win for the away rink skipped by Andy Dunham, with Nick Wilkie, John Needham and Martin Simpson led the way and helped secure their place in the quarter final where they will play Blackpool Newton Hall, last season’s finalists, on January 18.
Rink Scores: At home – Matt Whyers, Steve Hill, Simon Lilley & Graham Smith won 23-18; Harry Mycock, Rhys Hill, Maurice Elding & Martin Spencer won 28-18. Away – Brian Martin, Nigel Eagle, Stephen Harris & Jordan Philpott won 25-18; Nick Wilkie, John Needham, Martin Simpson & Andy Dunham won 29-15.
In the Yetton Trophy, Spalding’s women found it tough going against 2012 and 2013 national champions Lincoln.
Despite losing out by 20 shots (82-62), Spalding had a narrow two-shot lead by five ends. But the rink skipped by Lincoln’s senior international, Penny Strong, took no prisoners as they secured a 22-shot rink win.
Spalding’s women fought to the end, but to no avail on this occasion.
Rink scores: At home – Ann Newbury, Barbara Hurst, Lauren Finbow & Annie Dunham won 16-11; Jean Patterson, Judy Jackson, Ruby Hill & Chelsea Tomlin lost 15-18. Away – Freda Lyon, Tracy Philpott, Maisie Belding & Betty Deaton lost 15-37; Jan Sinclair, Karen Martin, Pearl O’Brien & Gill Needham drew 16-16.
- Spalding IBC’s over-60s narrowly beat a strong Boston side 103-99 (14-4 points) at home.
The top winning rink was skipped by Graham Wright, with Robin Roffe, John McGroarty and David Nunney. Captain for the day was Ken Challans, ably assisted by Tony Westland and Ron Walpole.
