The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
On Saturday, Spalding Lightning made it through to the final of the Denny Cup for only the second time in the club’s history.
The Denny Cup is often described as the FA Cup of bowls and Spalding put their name in the record books when they lifted the trophy in 2022.
In the semi-final on Saturday against Falcon, a club based in Chelmsford, Spalding Lightning were dominant from the outset and soon opened up a significant lead.
Although winning on three out of the four rinks, the main damage was done by the rink skipped by Mathew Orrey, with Dan Mills, Ollie Jeapes and Graham Smith who won 30-12.
Spalding Lightning won the match 88-52 and booked their place in the final where they will play Torquay on Saturday, April 13 at Nottingham IBC.
Torquay will have their own England internationals in their team so it has the making of a high quality final and one not to be missed.
Rink scores: Dan Mills, Ollie Jeapes, Graham Smith and Mathew Orrey – won 30-12, Kevin Ekins, Nick Wilkie, Simon Lilley and Jordan Philpott won 21-8, Lewis Parnell, Martin Simpson, Martin Spencer and Dominic McVittie won 21-13, Stephen Harris, Brian Martin, Ean Morton and Tristan Morton lost 16-19.
qOver the weekend, Ruby Hill represented England in the Ladies’ Under 25 British Isles International Series at Belfast Indoor Bowls Club.
Playing in her last series at this level, Hill was selected to skip her own rink for the first time with Hannah Smith from Malvern Hills, Jasmine Wilson from Huntingdon and Imogen Cracknell from Clevedon.
On Saturday, England started the series well with wins against Wales (87-59) and Ireland (107-51).
Although Hill’s rink found their opposition in top form against Wales, she enjoyed a rink win against Ireland.
Scotland also won comfortably against Ireland and Wales which set up a winner takes all match between England and Scotland on Sunday.
Scotland were defending champions so it was always going to be a tough match between the two talented teams.
Unfortunately, Scotland proved to be too strong on the day after taking an early lead, eventually won 86-75 and lifted the Acle Trophy on back to back occasions.
