Duo retain their national singles titles after victories for Jeapes and Dolby

Ollie Jeapes and Martyn Dolby, representing Northants but qualifying out of Stamford IBC, retained their respective Under 25 and Over 60 national singles titles at Lincoln’s indoor stadium. Another Stamford pair, Paul Dalliday and Simon Law, also claimed the men’s triples trophy, alongside Tristan Morton and, after a gruelling day, were losing finalists with Louise Harris in the mixed rinks. For Jeapes it was a comfortable 21-16 win in the final while Dolby survived a 21-20 semi-final against North Cambs before beating home favourite Danny Brown 21-13.

Having already won the men’s Eversley Trophy for county executives, the women finished in a best ever second place in the equivalent Harry Carver Trophy as Northants set a new record of success. Stamford’s bid to end Lincoln’s domination of the county seniors league ended in disappointment at Boston IBC. It is more than two decades since the holders have been beaten to the title but, up to the halfway stage of the 21-end Over 60s final between the respective north and south regional winners, Stamford looked to be heading for an upset.



They led by 10 shots overall and were adapting better to the unfamiliar surface, which is due to be ripped up and a replacement laid over the summer months. Then on the tenth end the picture changed. Lincoln fought back with counts of six, three and two singles to bring them level and gain the initiative.

Though Stamford briefly snatched a 51-50 lead by the 18th end, momentum was with the holders in the tense, closing stages. Captain Kevin Vinter’s rink of Neil Crees, Peter Burt and Martin Hewitt took a consolation three shots on the final end to win 19-15 but it was not enough and Lincoln were eventually good value to win the match overall by 12 shots. The teams are guaranteed to lock horns again next season in the re-formatted Over 60s League when the highest and lowest finishers from the respective north and south sections will form first and second divisions.

Lincs Over 60s final (at Boston IBC) Lincoln A 82 Stamford 70. Stamford names only. Neil Crees, Peter Burt, Martin Hewitt, Kevin Vinter won 19-15; Tony Barwell, Don Bruce, Bob Warters, Jeff Pitt lost 15-25; Jeff Bourne, Mick Owens, Mick Linnell, Roger Martin drew 17-17; Dave Heffernan, Pete Smith, Tony Scarr, Trevor Collins lost 19-25.

After many years supervising the maintenance of the Stamford Indoor Bowls Club, Maurice Dye and Dave Heffernan have been awarded life membership. Margaret King, the chair of the management committee, paid tribute to the pair at the club's presentation night for their voluntary dedication to the joint role of premises officers. Tony Barwell was also thanked for his services after retiring as competition secretary.

Bill Orme has volunteered to succeed him. Club champions and summer and winter domestic league winners and runners-up were recognised with silverware and rink fee vouchers presented by Mrs King following the resignation earlier in the season of president, Brian Allen, for personal reasons. Domestic Leagues Summer 2024: Monday evening open triples: winners Delta (J Pitt), runners up Whisky ( R Blake).

Tuesday noon pairs: Roses ( Blake), Peonies (Pitt). Wednesday morning triples: Fatboyslim (Pitt), solar Eclipse ( L Tuck), Thursday evening novice triples: Galaxy (S Taylor), Windy Butter (A Hynes). Friday evening Aussie pairs Fatboyslim (Pitt), Wombat (Blake).

Winter 2024/5: Monday pm triples (Div A): Maltesers (G Oliver), Fatboyslim (J Pryor). Mon pm triples (Div B): Specials (L Cave) Happy Jacks (B Scholes). Mon Evening triples Ermine St Guard (B Burton), Wickers World (J Holroyd).

Tues pm Ladies triples: Deependers (A Northen) Beavers (R March). Tuesday evening fours: Gun Law (S Law) Blackstones (S Harris). Wednesday pm triples (Div A) : Magpies ( T Scarr) Misfits (L Marshall).

Wednesday pm triples (Div B) : Cobblers (B Allen), Monsters Inc (A Hynes). Wednesday evening triples: Googlie Bears (S Harris) Chosen Ones (M King). Thursday pm Aussie pairs (Div A): Maltesers ( G Oliver), Irritable bowls (R Clarke).

Thursday pm Aussie pairs (Div B): Koalas (C Newcomb), Bowls gala ( A Hynes). Thursday afternoon Novices (Div 1): Buttermere (A Hynes), I’m Alright Jack (C Parker). Thursday afternoon novices ( Div 2) Buttermere (A Hynes) Windermere ( D Harris).

Thursday evening fours: Avengers ( D Mackie), Blackstones ( T Christie). Friday morning pairs: Fatboyslim (J Pryor), Parkway ( T Scarr). Friday pm triples: Motley Crew ( S Christie), Belton T Barwell).

Friday evening men’s triples: Owen’s Army (W Aspinall), Misfits ( S Harris). Sunday morning pairs: Fatboyslim ( J Pitt) Broadband ( A Speechley). Club finalists: 4-Bowl Novice pairs: winners K & M Porter (runners up P & F Knapp); 3B Novice triples J Hynes, L Hulme, A Hynes (Cath Smith, A Ahearne, Chris Smith); 2B mixed fours L Harris, J Needham, AMcNaughton, S Harris (J Bourne, N Orme, M Holroyd, B Orme); 2B ladies fours J Brennan, E Wallace, M Holroyd, C Ford (M King, J Lonslow, S Suffling, L Tuck); 2 B men’s fours W Aspinall, A McNaughton, M Anderson, O Aspinall (M Dolby, J Earl, A Warrington, S Harris); 3B mixed triples A Warrington, C Ford, S Harris (M & J Holroyd, K Vinter); 3B ladies triples J Brennan, E Wallace, C Ford (M King, S Suffling, L Tuck); 3B men’s triples T Barwell, J Pryor, J Pitt (M Dolby, J Earl, S Law); 4B Aussie pairs N Crees, P Smith (S Seed, J Holroyd); 4B mixed pairs E Wallace, C Ballard (I Reading, N Crees); 4B ladies pairs S Suffling, L Tuck (M Holroyd, C Ford); 4B men’s pairs W & O Aspinall (M Dolby, J Earl); 4 B ladies singles M Holroyd (C Ford); 4B men’s singles J Pitt (T Barwell); 4B Open sets singles J Holroyd (A Warrington); 4B Open Senior singles M Dolby (B Orme).

For those considering a new sport, Stamford Indoor Bowls Club in Exeter Gardens is hosting an open day on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. It is a sport for all ages - from eight to 80 and beyond - for all abilities and disabilities. Experienced players and coaches will be available to encourage newcomers with all equipment provided free of charge.

The club is one of the most successful in the region with more than 540 playing members competing in domestic leagues and roll-ups seven days a week at its six-rink stadium. For further information visit www.stamfordindoorbowls.

co.uk.