Saturday saw Spalding Indoor Bowls Club’s men and women progress through to the last 16 in the Denny Plate and Yetton Trophy against Stamford and Barwell respectively.
In the Denny Plate, Spalding’s men started well and the early damage was done by the away rinks skipped by Jordan Philpott and Kevin Ekins.
By five ends Philpott took an early 10-0 lead, while Ekins was also 11-1 up – meaning that Spalding were 30-17 in front after the early exchanges.
By ten ends the lead was actually extended slightly to 47-29 and 69-48 by 15 ends.
Stamford were not ready to give up as they battled hard and, by 18 ends, the lead was cut to only six shots (73-67).
Despite this comeback, Spalding finished the stronger, winning on three of the four rinks to secure their place in the last 16 with a 17-shot victory (87-70).
Next up are are Bassetlaw or Horncastle on Saturday, January 4.
Rink Scores: At home – Harry Mycock, Maurice Elding, Matt Whyers, Martin Spencer won 18-17; David Staples, Steve Hill, Simon Lilley, Graham Smith lost 14-23. Away – Nick Wilkie, Martin Simpson, Andy Dunham, Kevin Ekins – won 31-14; Brian Martin, John Needham, Stephen Harris, Jordan Philpott won 24-16.
In the Yetton Trophy, Spalding’s women enjoyed a fantastic win against Barwell – the team that beat them at exactly the same stage last season.
Doing the main damage for Spalding was the rink skipped by Ruby Hill, who had an impressive 27-10 win against former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jamie-Lea Winch.
The early exchanges were “nip and tuck” and there was never any more than ten shots in the match until Spalding finished strongly to secure an 83-62 win.
The home rinks skipped by Annie Dunham and Ruby Hill enjoyed comfortable wins, but the sets led by Gill Needham and Julie Hicks away from home certainly contributed to the victory with two narrow defeats.
Next up for Spalding in the last 16 are Lincoln, also on January 4.
Rink Scores: At home – Jean Patterson, Judy Jackson, Tracy Philpott, Ruby Hill won 27-10; Ann Newbury, Michelle Billingsley, Jenny Horner, Annie Dunham won 23-9. Away – Freda Lyon, Maisie Belding, Betty Deaton, Julie Hicks lost 18-21; Jan Sinclair, Karen Martin, Pearl O’Brien, Gill Needham lost 15-22.
- Spalding IBC’s national mixed team had a disappointing result against Lincoln in the last 16 of the Egham Trophy on Sunday.
Spalding actually had two winning rinks and a draw in the game, but Kevin Ekins and his rink found it hard work away at Lincoln against former world singles champion, Billy Jackson.
Spalding started the stronger of the two teams, albeit only leading by two shots (18-16) at five ends.
It was from that moment that Lincoln started to stamp their authority as they opened up a 42-26 lead by ten ends, which was extended to 67-42 at 15 ends, before Spalding had to accept they were second best on the day and Lincoln won 86-66.
Rink Scores: At home – Nick Wilkie, Betty Deaton, Annie Dunham and Martin Spencer won 23-14; Jean Patterson, Danielle Wild, Stephen Harris and Graham Smith won 19-18. Away – Brian Martin, Gill Needham, Ruby Hill and Jordan Philpott drew 17-17; Judy Jackson, Karen Martin, Andy Dunham and Kevin Ekins lost 7-37.
- Horncastle IBC played host to the county under-18 singles playoffs last weekend.
Spalding had nine participants where it was played in groups dependant on age.
In the junior section, Jack Wells and last season’s runner-up, Tja Spiller, qualified to the semi-finals.
In the senior section, Aaron Barnes and last season’s runner-up Harry Mycock also qualified for the semi-finals, which will take place in the new year.
Spalding have always prided themselves in their junior bowlers and have had no fewer than eight previous winners in the senior section since the competition started in 1995.
They also boast four previous winners in the junior section since that competition started in 2002, making it 12 different winners overall – which is more than any club in the county.
