The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Indoor Bowls Club had successful wins in both the Denny Cup and Yetton Trophy on Saturday.
For the men in the Denny Cup, they beat Sleaford 81-62.
Although the win was 19 shots in the end, Spalding were always comfortably in front and closed out the match well.
The damage was done by one of Spalding’s away rinks skipped by Kevin Ekins, with Nick Wilkie, Aaron Wild and Andy Dunham, who won 29-8.
Martin Spencer skipped his rink to a home win however, Jordan Philpott and his partners found their opposition in top form and went down by 11 shots.
Graham Smith skipped his rink to a draw at Sleaford, which was more than enough to ensure a safe passage into round four, where Skegness or Horncastle await on December 8.
Special mention goes to 14-year-old Harry Mycock, who made his Denny Cup debut.
Rink scores: At Spalding – Rhys Hill, Nathan Puttrell, Martin Simpson, Martin Spencer (24-15); John Laud, Harry Mycock, John Needham, Jordan Philpott (12-23). At Sleaford – Stephen Harris, Steve Hill, Calvin Leuty, Graham Smith (16-16); Nick Wilkie, Aaron Wild, Andy Dunham, Kevin Ekins (29-8).
Meanwhile, the women enjoyed an even more comfortable win in Yetton Trophy, beating Melton Mowbray 121-59.
Despite a relatively slow start where the lead was only 25-13 at five ends, this was extended to 44-26 at ten ends, 77-40 at 15 ends and 101-50 at 18 ends.
Chelsea Tomlin and Sylvia Wade (at home) and Julie Hicks (at Melton) all skipped their rinks to comfortable wins.
However, Tomlin’s team of Lauren Finbow, Danielle Wild and Ruby Hill roared to an incredible 40-9 win.
That rink had an average age of 21, with Tomlin being the senior of the rink at 25 years of age – which really shows how bowls is starting to appeal to the younger generation.
Next up for the women, who were runners-up in this competition only two years ago, is Barwell on December 8.
Rink scores: At Spalding – Lauren Finbow, Danielle Wild, Ruby Hill, Chelsea Tomlin (40-9); Pat Crampton, Judy Jackson, Gill Needham, Sylvia Wade (31-12). At Melton – Freda Lyon, Maisie Belding, Betty Deaton, Julie Hicks (32-8); Irene Blackman, Maxine Coleman, Barbara Hurst, Gloria Haney (18-30).
- Spalding continued their Top Club campaign with a close game away at Sleaford.
The first points on the board came from Stephen Harris, who won the men’s singles comfortably however, Gloria Haney went down in the ladies singles.
SETTING THE TONE: Chelsea Tomlin was on fire.
This meant that Spalding needed two wins from three of the pairs, triples and fours matches or a win, draw and narrow defeat to win the overall aggregate, secure a team win and a place in the third round.
A win, draw and narrow defeat is exactly what happened. Chelsea Tomlin and Mathew Orrey ran out comfortable winners in the pairs however, Graham Smith’s four narrowly lost which meant that the tie would be decided by the triples.
Given Spalding’s comfortable win in the pairs, a draw was all Spalding’s Andy Dunham, Annie Dunham and Martin Spencer needed.
Going into the last end, Spencer’s triple were 20-19 up and consolidated to drop a single and ensure that they progressed by the narrowest of margins.
Next up for Spalding, who won the competition back in 2015, are Hornsea on December 16.
Rink scores: Ladies’ singles – Gloria Haney (lost 7-21). Men’s Singles– Stephen Harris (won 21-8).Pairs – Chelsea Tomlin and Mathew Orrey (won 22-7).Triples – Andy Dunham, Annie Dunham and Martin Spencer (drew 20-20). Fours – Lauren Finbow, Danielle Wild, Martin Simpson and Graham Smith (lost 14-20).
- Jordan Philpott who has qualified for the World Under-25 Singles finals.
On Sunday, he travelled to Bromley Indoor Bowls Club for the qualifying rounds. Only two games away from qualification, he played the local Kent bowler, Billy Duffield.
ON-SONG: Nathan Puttrell.
A tight first set saw it drawn 8-8 however, Philpott showed his class in the second set which he won 11-3.
The final qualifying game was contested against Ross Marshall, from Wey Valley. Philpott drew first blood by winning the first set comfortably (9-4).
Marshall started the second set better, going 3-0 up after three ends.
But Philpott fought back and won the set 6-5 to secure his place at the World Championships.
Philpott is now down to the last four, where he will play defending champion, Chloe Watson (Ireland) on Saturday, January 26 at 9.30am.
The other semi-final at Potters Leisure Resort consists of the overseas qualifier Dean Drummond, from New Zealand, and the Scottish qualifier John Orr.
Should Philpott win his semi-final, the final will take place at 7.30pm on the same day.
