Spalding sparks as new look ‘Lightning’ launches

A new look Spalding Lightning are another step closer to a third mixed Top Club title after beating Melton in a tight encounter.
Spalding Indoor Bowls Club wore brand new tops for the first time for their rechristened team.
A club spokesman said: “The match saw the introduction of the new Spalding Lightning kit, kindly sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres and Roythornes Solicitors.
“Our northern friends, South Shields Vipers rebranded a few years ago and we hope that with our innovative thinking, we can continue to modernise the game and make it more appealing to the younger age groups.
“We also hope that other clubs will follow us in this journey.”
For the match itself, the spoils were shared in the singles as Chelsea Spencer won the ladies round 21-14 but Stephen Harris lost an extremely close match in the mens 21-20.
With a 17-11 win in the pairs from Ruby Hill and Jordan Philpott and a 20-16 defeat in for the four of Jean Patterson, Karen Martin, Graham Smith and Mathew Orrey, the tie would be decided on the triples.
Going into the last end, Spalding’s Kevin Ekins, Annie Dunham and Martin Spencer were 18-15 up. They consolidated well to drop a single, win 18-16 and help book Spalding’s place in the third round.
Next up is a home clash against Leicester on Sunday, November 20.
l Spalding’s ladies had a good result at home to Stamford on Thursday, October 20 in the Trudy Bates county league.
Spalding started strong on two rinks with the other two closely contested.
The team were never behind on aggregate and finished winning on all rinks, thanks to Betty Deaton’s rink scoring two shots on the last end to win by one.
The overall aggregate score was 126-55 and 14-0 on points.
With two rinks winning by the same margin, the top winning rink on ends won was skipped by Maggie Wheatley, with Jean Patterson, Petrine Ault and Karen Martin, who had an impressive 35-8 rink win.
pRink Scores: Jean Patterson, Petrine Ault, Karen Martin and Maggie Wheatley – won 35-8.
Carole Nunney, Sheila Chamberlain, Chris Jackson and Julie Hicks – won 36-9.
Freda Lyon, Jan Sinclair, Sandra Hammond and Maisie Belding – won 35-19.
Ann Newbury, Sue Slayven, Michelle Billingsley and Betty Deaton – won 20-19.
l Spalding Indoor Bowls Club’s mens county league team played their second game of the season at Boston A.
A closely contested match saw the lead change hands on numerous occasions but it was the home team who finished the stronger to win the overall aggregate by three shots, 77-74.
Spalding did win on two of the four rinks and claimed four of the available 14 match points but the top winning rink was skipped by Martin Simpson, with Nick Wilkie, Abs Belding and Graham Hicks who won 23-11.
pRink Scores
Nick Wilkie, Abs Belding, Graham Hicks and Martin Simpson – won 23-11.
Mick Dolton, Paul Turner, Anthony Cronin and David Nunney – won 18-14.
Kevin Ekins, Tony Westland, Dan Mills and Ean Morton – lost 20-26.
Eric Wakefield, Brian Martin, Mike Robertson and Lewis Parnell – lost 13-26.