Club News
Stamford League: Tuesday 12th August
Congratulations to Blackstones C who, having come top of Division 1 with 124 points, are this year’s Stamford League Champions for the third year running. Blackstones D are runners-up with 110 points. Ketton face relegation at the bottom of the division, as do Market Deeping Regals, who just lost out to Market Overton Tornadoes; the two teams had the same number of points but Tornadoes had the higher aggregate score.
The battle for Division 2 was a long-drawn-out saga, with the final positions decided only in two postponed matches played on Monday 11th August. The extremely hot weather had caused a total of 8 matches to be postponed. Langtoft were way behind everyone else, with three matches still to be played at the official end of the season. However, they have had an amazing run where they have been unbeaten for five consecutive matches, which has put them at the top of Division 2, with 103 points and one match in hand. Greeham Poachers are runners-up in Division 2 on 97 points; Greetham Valley Eagles narrowly missed out with 96 points.
The bottom positions in Division 2 were also not deceded until Monday evening: Carlby Corgis just managed to scrape enough points to avoid any possibility of relegation. Barnack Vikings still have one match to play (against Langtoft) but cannot improve on their position in the division and Oakham Delta trail them at the bottom of the table.
Things were much more clear-cut in Division 3, with Carlby Bees topping the division, after a gap of 10 years, with 110 points. Blackstones A had also trailed the other teams with games played and, like Langtoft, had a surge when they were unbeaten for three consecutive games, putting them in second position with 98 points. Market Overton Harriers and Greetham Anglians stand at the bottom of the table.
The competitions run by the Stamford League are now reaching their final stages and the finals will be played on the last weekend in August/first weekend in September. So far, just one final has been settled: Blackstones D will play Market Deeping Regals at Blackstones Bowls Club on Saturday 30th August in the final of the Boor & Wainwright Shield. All other competitions are awaiting the completion of semi-final matches.
President's Gala: Sunday 3rd August
This year’s Stamford League President, Michael “Dusty” Miller, held his Gala at Blackstones Bowls Club last weekend, Sunday 3rd August. Sixteen teams competed on a day which threatened rain but which, apart from one heavy shower, proved to be enjoyed by everyone.
The competition was won by one of the four teams entered by Blackstones Bowls Club, captained by Adam Warrington, who also captained last year’s winning team, but this time his fellow team members were Martyn Dolby, Mark Pye and Jon Earl. The team won all four of the games they played, scoring 32 out of a possible 40 points.
Four teams, with captains Shirley Suffling, Ally McNaughton, Peter Cozens and Graham Patrickson, tied for second place with 26 points. The Stamford Town team – John and Moira Holroyd, Neil Crees and Ken Simmons, captained by Graham Patrickson – were declared runners up based on their shots difference, after winning three games and drawing one. The “spider “ competition was won by last year’s President, Rita Downs.
The President’s chosen charity for this year is Prostate Cancer and, so far, over £1500 has been raised, so a big thank you to everyone who took part, to all those businesses and individuals who have donated either money or prizes, to President “Dusty” Miller and to the Blackstones Club steward and catering staff.
BUSY WEEK FOR BOWLERS
Bowlers who compete in the Stamford & District League are in for a busy schedule when they represent Northants in the English Bowling Federation national championship at Skegness from Monday to Saturday (August 18-23).
Among them are Sue Seed (Stamford Town) who has qualified in four events - Champion of champions and Secretaries singles, plus three-bowl triples and senior mixed pairs.
Clubmate John Holroyd is also through in two events (2-bowl singles and senior pairs).
Stephen Harris (Blackstones) also competes in a double-header (4-bowl singles and 3-bowl triples) while Ketton’s Shirley Suffling & Elaine Upton play in respective 2-bowl and senior singles and combine in the two-bowl triples with Helen Tilley.
MEN’S AND MIXED (PROVISIONAL) SCHEDULE
2b singles – John Holroyd (Stamford) – Wednesday at 11.45am v Suffolk (next round Thursday at 5pm); 4b singles – Stephen Harris (Blackstones) – Wednesday at 9.15am v Cleveland (Thursday 9.15am); U25 singles – Ollie Jeapes (Parkway) – Thursday at 10.45am v Norfolk (Thursday 2.15pm); Veterans singles – Graham Agger (Whittlesey Manor) – Wednesday at 4.15pm v Notts (Thursday 9.15am); Secretary singles – Andy Cox (City of Peterborough) – Thursday at 10.45am v Hunts (Friday 9.15am); Champion of Champions singles – Stuart Agger (Whittlesey Manor) – Wednesday at 1.45pm v Cleveland (bye in first round); Pairs – Paul Martlew & Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) – Tuesday at 10.45am v Suffolk (Wednesday 2.15pm); Senior pairs – Neil Crees & John Holroyd (Stamford) – Wednesday at 9.15am v Humberside (Wednesday 2.15pm); Mixed pairs – Karen Martin & James Harford (Parkway) – Tuesday at 9.15am v Norfolk (Thursday 12,15pm); U25 pairs – Owen Aspinall (Blackstones) & Ollie Jeapes (Parkway) – Friday at 9.15am v North Cambs (Friday 11.15am); Senior mixed pairs – Sue Seed & Kevin Vinter (Stamford) – Wednesday at 11.45 am v Hunts (Thursday 11.45am); 2b rinks – Paul Dalliday, Simon Law, Tristan Morton (Parkway) – Tuesday at 2.15pm v Lincs (Wednesday 9.15am); 3b rinks – Michael Humphreys, Paul Buckley, Stephen Harris (Blackstones) – Monday at 2.15pm v Cleveland (Tuesday 9.15am); Mixed rinks – Sophie Morton, Simon Law, Tristan Morton (Parkway) – Monday at 2.15pm v North Essex (Tuesday 11.45am).
WOMEN’S (PROVISIONAL) SCHEDULE
2b singles – Shirley Suffling (Ketton) – Wednesday at 9.15am v North Essex or Durham (bye in first round); 4b singles – Linda Toms (Burrows Court Conservative) – Tuesday at 1.45pm v North Essex (next round Wednesday 9.15am); U25 singles – Caitlin Dalliday (Parkway) – Wednesday at 10.45am v Lincs (bye in first round); Senior singles – Elaine Upton (Ketton) – Thursday at 3.15pm v Northumberland or Cleveland (bye in first round); Secretary singles – Sue Seed (Stamford) – Tuesday at 4.15pm v Lincs (Wednesday 1.45pm); Champion of Champions singles – Sue Seed (Stamford) – Wednesday at 3.15pm v North Essex (Thursday 9.15am); Pairs – Sheila Craig & Liz Hext (Conservative) – Tuesday at 12.15pm v Humberside (Wednesday 9.15am); Senior pairs – Fiona Richardson & Jess Bolam (City of Peterborough) – Wednesday at 10.45am v Suffolk (Thursday 9.15am); 2b rinks – Shirley Suffling, ElaineUpton, Helen Tilley (Ketton) – Wednesday 2.15pm v North Essex or Cleveland (bye in first round); 3b rinks – Chrissie Baker, Sue Seed, Chris Ford (Stamford) – Monday at 2.15pm v Durham (Tuesday 9.15am).
For more information visit www.northantsbowlingfederation.co.uk
