Finals (1)
Boor & Wainwright Shield Final: Saturday 29th August
Market Deeping Regals met Blackstones D in the final of this handicap competition played at Greetham Bowls Club on Saturday 29th August. Both teams are in Division 1, but Regals had a 6-point advantage (2 points per rink) because of the handicapping system, which depends on the league positions of the teams at the end of the previous season. The format is three teams from each side playing two-wood triples. The final overall score was 85 - 37 to Blackstones D, who won on all three rinks.
The weather was not kind; the forecast light showers became persistent rain, but the two teams managed to complete the full 21 ends. Added to that was the inevitable hold-up on the A1, making it a stressful start for the teams.
Viv Evans’ team (Regals) held the lead for the first 6 ends, when the score was 5 - 4 in their favour. It was then nip-and-tuck for the next 8 ends, bringing the score to 11 - 10 to Sam Downs’ Blackstones team after 14 ends. However, Blackstones then closed out Regals for the next 5 ends, and Regals’ scores in the last two ends were too late - the final score was 20 - 13 to Blackstones.
Michael Smith’s team (Regals) also managed to hold the lead for the first 6 ends, with the score at 6 - 5 at this point. Then Jon Earl’s Blackstones team took control, allowing Regals to score only 2 shots in the next 6 ends, bringing the score to 14 - 8 to Blackstones after 12 ends. Blackstones continued to gradually increase their lead, with a final score of 24 - 15.
Regals put up a brave fight, but Darren Middleton’s team (Blackstones) delivered a decisive defeat to Chris Bines’ team on the third rink. Blackstones started with a hot shot in the first end, followed by two 5s in ends 5 and 6, and did not look back for the rest of the game. The final score was 41 - 9.
The players were (Blackstones D first):
Rink 1: Wayne Morris, Dave Burwell, Darren Middleton v David Roberts, David Wilkinson, Chris Bines.
Rink 2: Rita Downs, Darren Russell, Jon Earl v Emma Providence, Richard Smith, Michael Smith.
Rink 3: Dusty Miller, Mal Mitchell, Sam Downs v Linda Kemp, Peter Howes, Viv Evans.
Congratulations to all those who took part in the afternoon, which was enjoyable despite the weather. The League would like to thank Greetham Bowls Club for making everyone so welcome in hosting a final for the first time.
Duncomb Shield Final: Sunday 30th August 2026
The final of the Duncomb Shield Competition was played at Bourne Town Bowls Club on Sunday 30th August. Eight teams took part in the final, which is played in a round-robin format, over 7 games each with 6 ends. The captains were George Barber (Carlby), Ian Cooke (Carlby), Peter Cozens (Greetham Valley), Don McGarrigle (Greetham), Ally McNaughton (Wittering), Lesley Simmonds (Stamford Town), Paul Smith (Greetham) and Shirley Suffling (Ketton).
And what a difference a day made! The forecast light showers became sunny intervals and late afternoon rain did not materialise.
George Barber’s team were leading the table with 26 points after winning their first 4 games (out of 7). The fifth game saw Shirley Suffling’s team catch up, with both teams on 28 points, and Peter Cozens with 27 points. In the sixth game, there was still with only 1 point between these three teams, with Shirley Suffling and Peter Cozens both on 32 points and George Barber on 31 points. Then, in the final game, disaster struck for George Barber, who lost by 9 - 0 points to Don McGarrigle, and for Peter Cozens, who lost by 7 - 2 points to Lesley Simmonds.
Meanwhile, Shirley Suffling won her last game by 6 - 3 points, bringing her team’s total to 38 points and making them the overall winners of the competition. Lesley Simmonds’ team had hovered around the middle of the table until two good wins, by 6 - 3 points and 7 - 2 points, in the last two games brought their total to 35 points and gave them their final position as runners-up. Full results are on the website.
The League would like to thank Bourne Town Bowls Club for acting as hosts for the final, which they have now done for a number of years. Congratulations to all the teams who took part; there was a great atmosphere in this keenly contested competition and the final result was not resolved until the very last game.
The outdoor bowls season is now close to finishing, but if you think you would be interested in this great sport next season, check on the website to find out more about what we do and where there is a bowls club near you. All ages and abilities are welcome. Website: stamfordbowlingleague.co.uk
