ACES from Spalding Indoor Bowls Club picked up a fantastic four county titles on finals day at Skegness on Saturday.
Spalding were superbly represented at the Lincolnshire event, with participants in nine different finals.
Simon Lilley qualified for the men’s singles final, but was beaten by Grantham’s Matthew Orrey, who claimed his first title.
There was better news in the pairs, as Martin Spencer and Paul Simpson beat Lincoln’s Dean Tute and Tony Gilroy by 24 shots to 8.
Sylvia Wade also skipped her rink to success in the ladies fours. She was joined by Pat Crampton, Judy Jackson and Gill Needham in a massive 23-4 success over Karen Kew.
There was always going to be a winner in the under-25 singles competition, with Andy Dawson winning the all-Spalding final against team-mate Spencer by two sets to nil.
More glory came in the under-18 mixed pairs. Spalding’s Ryan Huskisson and Charlie Leuty secured comfortable win over Adam Berridge’s team from Grantham.
In the men’s triples, Spencer and Simpson were joined by club captain Graham Smith to win 28-7 against Jonathon West’s side from Boston.
However, Gloria Haney and Barbara Hurst narrowly missed out against Olive Wells from Horncastle in the ladies’ pairs, whilst Scott Dunham and Annie Bellamy lost to Dion Auckland’s team in the mixed pairs.
Dunham was joined by Huskisson, Rob Aves and Calvin Leuty in the fours final – but they lost to Billy Jackson’s set from Lincoln.
Also beaten was Jordon Philpott, who lost a high quality U/18 final against Harry Cain from Lincoln. The Spalding star found himself behind early on, but launched a thrilling comeback towards the end, just missing out on the trophy.
• Spalding’s domestic season came to an end last weekend with no less than 24 club competitions up for grabs.
In the main events, Matt Whyers beat Graham Smith in the men’s singles, while Rebecca Simpson won the ladies’ singles against June Taylor. Whyers and Simpson will now represent the club in the Champion of Champions singles next year.
• The over-60s team from Spalding produced another stunning victory over Long Sutton by 122 shots to 65 (17-1 points).
With other results going in their favour, Spalding clinched the title and promotion into division one. The best rink came from G Horner, P Fillbrook, K Woods and P Lane.
• Spalding’s Mixed League side picked up 18 points in their final game of the season against Lincoln on Saturday, winning on all rinks to secure a final score of 121-97.
The result secures them second place in Division One. Their bets winning rink was Vera Elms, Jan Sinclair, Mick Dolton and Maurice Elding.
• The Spalding friendly bowlers won on five of the six rinks to beat Lincoln 115-108 on their own green.
Best winning rink was Edna Perkins, Gerald Horner, Vera Elms and Alan Pitts skip. Captain for the day was Geoff Craft
• Spalding levelled the all-time score with the Oddfellows society to 10-10 after winning the latest battle between the two.
The game is played twice a year, with a number of Spalding players among the Oddfellows squad.
This time, Spalding won on four rinks, drew on one and lost on one to win 125-100 overall.
The game was a nip and tuck affair, with the main score swinging back and forth on a number of ends played.
Spalding’s winning rink of the day going to the team of Chris Willianson, Gill Haydon, Vera Elms – who picked up her third winning rink of the weekend – and skip Brian Stuckey. Captain of the day was Roger Perkins.
• Champions Spalding won their last men’s county league game of the season with a comfortable 18-0 victory over Boston on Sunday.
Having already wrapped up the league title, this victory made it seven wins out of eight for the season. Simon Lilley’s rink of Michael Cole, Mick Dolton and Andy Dawson led the way with a 26-9 win over Simon Reeson.
Paul Simpson’s rink also beat Jonathon West 24-10, while John Needham’s set beat Les Feary’s team 23-17, Graham Smith’s quartet beat Paul Flatters’ side 17-16 and Calvin Leuty’s charges beat Ian Clarke’s squad 18-17.
• Spalding’s ladies lost in the final of the Trudy Bates competition after a tense match against rivals Lincoln.
Both teams won their respective regional divisions to set up the clash, but Lincoln started well and never looked back to take the title.