A FANTASTIC four players from Spalding Indoor Bowls Club have received England call-ups in a week of great success for the club.
Spalding skipper Graham Smith has retained his place in the men’s team, while Paul Simpson has been selected for the squad for the first time.
He has been named as a travelling reserve for the International Series, which will be played in Swansea (Wales) in March of next year.
Annalisa Bellamy has also earned a maiden call to the ladies’ team for the first time, with Rebecca Simpson being selected for the squad as travelling reserve.
The ladies’ series is held just after the men’s event in March 2012, also in Swansea.
In between the two series, Bellamy and Rebecca Simpson will be joined by Charlie Leuty and Lucy Cooke, where the quartet of ladies will be bidding for British Isles fours success, following their national victory last year.
It’s been an excellent year for Spalding on the international front, with no less than six bowlers now being part of their respective England squads.
• Spalding’s ladies have progressed in two national club competitions, with successes coming in the Yetton and Mason Trophies.
The Mason trophy is an over 60’s double rink and Spalding secured an excellent 38 shots to 32 victory over Lincoln.
A 24-12 win at Spalding from Gloria Haney’s set helped steer the team to a strong position.
At Lincoln, Margaret Dark skipped her rink to a close defeat to ensure Spalding took the overall spoils and progress to the next round.
In the Yetton Trophy, Spalding played Long Sutton on a two rinks at home and two rinks away basis last Thursday.
Spalding took an early lead and maintained the pressure on Long Sutton to run home 87 shots to 60 winners.
Gloria Haney’s rink led the way with an impressive 30-7 win.