Bowls round-up: Spalding Indoor Bowls Club members all set for England trials

Spalding Indoor Bowls Club will be well represented at the forthcoming England trials which are being held at Northampton Indoor Bowls Club next month (December 4 and 5).

On the Saturday morning, Stephen Harris and Jordan Philpott (men’s) and Ruby Hill (women’s) will be trying to retain their places in the England under-26 teams.

This would normally be under-25s, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this has been extended to under-26 so that those players who are now too old don’t miss out on their potential final year.

In the afternoon, it’s the turn of the seniors. Graham Smith and Mark Dawes will try to retain their places in the men’s team, whilst Stephen Harris, Martin Spencer and Dominic McVittie will all be trying to impress the selectors and earn a place in the squad.

Hill, Chelsea Tomlin and Annie Dunham will also be trying to retain their places in the ladies team.

A special mention should also be made for Harry Mycock, who has earned his first trial for the under-19s team which is taking place on the Sunday of that weekend.

• Spalding IBC talent Hill has also qualified for the ladies’ national under-25 singles finals over the weekend.

The finals are actually being held at Spalding on January 22 and 23 (2022).

Aaron Barnes and Philpott are still in contention to qualify for the men’s event.

More information will be available soon on the finals however, but fans are asked to keep the date in the diary and show their support to some of the best junior bowlers the country has to offer.

• Sunday saw Spalding IBC start their Egham Trophy campaign with a comfortable 114-50 win against Grantham.

The Egham is a mixed knockout competition, with two men and two women to play in each rink with two rinks at home and two away.

Although the final score was emphatic, the early exchanges did not suggest this would be a runaway fixture.

Spalding were still the early pace setters as they went 23-14 ahead at five ends, but the match was probably won between five and ten ends as the lead was extended to 54-20.

By 18 ends, the lead was 91-45 before the final 65-shot winning margin (114-50) was achieved.

Spalding won on all four rinks, but the top set was one of the home rinks skipped by Mathew Orrey, with Jean Patterson, Rebecca Simpson and Graham Smith, who returned an impressive 37-8 rink win.

Current world singles and pairs champion, Mark Dawes, also made his debut for the club.

The away rink skipped by McVittie even had the rare end of a full house score of eight shots.

Next up in round two are Church Gresley or Barwell on Sunday, November 28.

Rink Scores: Home – Jean Patterson, Rebecca Simpson, Graham Smith and Mathew Orrey won 37-8; Karen Martin, Maggie Wheatley, Martin Spencer and Tristan Morton won 29-11. Away – Ruby Hill, Louise Harris, Jordan Philpott and Mark Dawes won 21-19; Andy Dunham, Julie Hicks, Chelsea Tomlin and Dominic McVittie won 27-12.

• Spalding IBC continued their impressive start in the Lincolnshire county league with a 10-4 win at home to Stamford A on Saturday.

Spalding won on two rinks and lost on the other two, but the top winning set was skipped by McVittie with Mick Dolton, Paul Turner and Brian Martin, who won 26-10.

Spalding were always in control, but Stamford showed their fighting qualities as they got back to within three shots before the hosts pulled away again to win by 11 shots.

That makes it two wins from two and the next fixture is now at home to Stamford B on Saturday, November 27.

• Spalding IBC’s Philpott, Stephen Harris and Ollie Jeapes helped Lincolnshire to a 14-shot win against Durham in the inter-county under-25 double rink at York & District Indoor Bowls Club on Saturday.

Jeapes (lead) and Philpott (skip) were in the same rink with Dan Stanley and Nathan Dunnington as they returned a 27-14 winning scorecard, while Harris skipped the other rink to a 16-15 win.

Next up for the county under-25 team are Yorkshire on Sunday, December 19 in the last 16.

• Spalding IBC’s friendly side suffered an 109-89 defeat against Melton on Sunday.

Spalding lost across four of the six rinks, with one drawing 15-15 and the final set taking a win.

That wining rink for Spalding was Pat Cox, June Angus, Alan Tokley and Mick Jennings with a score of 29-12.