Spalding hit back from slow start to reap rich rewards

in Bowls, Sport 25/04/2024

Spalding made up for a slow start to return laden with honours at the Lincolnshire County Finals at Louth & District Indoor Bowls Club.

Brian Martin, Stephen Harris and Dominic McVittie lost 17-12 to Rod West, Nathan Dunnington and Jonathan West from Boston in the men’s triples final and Jan Sinclair, Carole Nunney, Maisie Belding and Julie Hicks went down 18-14 to Sue Woolridge, Margaret Dargue, Gail Windsor and Debbie McBride from Scunthorpe in the ladies’ fours final.
However, the afternoon and evening sessions were more successful for Spalding.
McVittie topped off an impressive season by beating Ollie Jeapes from Stamford 21-10 in the men’s singles final to lift the trophy for the first time.
An all-Spalding affair in the sets singles final saw McVittie face Jordan Philpott. A high-quality match went the distance but Philpott held his nerve in the last end of a tie break to win the title for the first time.
The men’s pairs final saw an equally exciting finish as Graham Smith and Harris beat Lincoln’s Danny Brown and Billy Jackson on an extra end (15-14).
Ruby Hill and Chelsea Spencer made light work of the ladies’ pairs final as they beat Rene Walker and Barbara Heath, from Dunholme,
25-2, to claim the trophy for the fourth time.
Jean Patterson, Petrine Ault and Karen Martin then overcame Lincoln trio Christine Turner, Doreen Morrison and Jane Timmins in the ladies’ triples final. It was extra special for Ault and Martin as they won their first county title.
Three more county titles were picked up by Spalding in the final session. Spencer won her second title of the day as she beat Gail Windsor, from Scunthorpe, 21-17 in the ladies’ singles final. She has now won the county singles on four occasions.
Two more people who won their second title of the day were Patterson and McVittie, who defended their mixed pairs title by beating Sleaford’s Kath Lake and Paul Roberts 22-11.
The mixed pairs final brought victory for Aiden Brickles and Jack Wells against Evan and Owen Kent, from Lincoln, on a tie break.