Generous Spalding Indoor Bowls Club show their support to St Barnabas Hospice

Spalding Indoor Bowls Club’s ladies started their new season on a positive note as they handed over a sizeable cheque to charity.

Ahead of their first league fixture of the new season, they handed over a cheque of £1,195 to St Barnabas Hospice – the club’s chosen charity for the 2018/19 season.

St Barnabas Hospice, a local independent charity, support more than 10,500 people across Lincolnshire affected by a life limiting or terminal conditions every year.

Of the money handed over, £600 was raised by the ladies’ section who arranged two cake stalls during the year, a copper collection throughout the season and also the sale of old bowls clothes.

The balance was raised at the club’s annual President’s Day and other donations from the summer drives and other events.

Spalding IBC would like to thank everyone who offered their support to raise money for this fantastic charity.

• Last Saturday saw Spalding IBC’s friendly team pick up a 119-80 win over Perkins Retired in their season opener.

From the outset, Spalding took control as they soon opened a 20-shot lead which was extended to a final 39-shot victory, winning on five of the six rinks.

The top winning rink was skipped by Mick Jennings, who won 32-12. Spalding welcomed four new players into the team who only started the game this year.

• Spalding IBC’s Trudy Bates ladies’ team made a good start to the season as they comfortably despatched Sleaford by 30 shots (111-81) and winning on four of the five rinks.

Top winning rink was skipped by Gill Needham, with Freda Lyon, Maxine Coleman and Maisie Belding, who made a good start and never looked back. Further rink wins for Julie Hicks, Pearl O’Brien and Betty Deaton ensured a 14-2 points win.

• Spalding IBC’s men’s team made a strong start to their season as they hosted Louth A in the first of their county league fixtures.

In a closely fought battle throughout, Spalding won on three of the five rinks, by a single shot on aggregate (96-95) and 14-4 on points.

The top winning rink was skipped by Kevin Ekins, with Nick Wilkie, Ab Belding and Ron Walpole, who won 20-11.

Rink scores: Kevin Ekins 20-11; Martin Simpson 26-18; John Needham 22-19; Maurice Elding 15-24; Don Churchman 13-23.

• Spalding IBC’s friendly team enjoyed a 123-83 victory at Newark in what is their second year playing against their new rivals.

Spalding won on five of the six rinks but the top winning rink was skipped by Peter Ridley, with Janet Staples and Lily Drawbridge.

Captain for the day was Roger Perkins, with Spalding looking forward to the reverse in February.