Club News
Stamford League: Tuesday 12th August
Congratulations to Blackstones C who, having come top of Division 1 with 124 points, are this year’s Stamford League Champions for the third year running. Blackstones D are runners-up with 110 points. Ketton face relegation at the bottom of the division, as do Market Deeping Regals, who just lost out to Market Overton Tornadoes; the two teams had the same number of points but Tornadoes had the higher aggregate score.
The battle for Division 2 was a long-drawn-out saga, with the final positions decided only in two postponed matches played on Monday 11th August. The extremely hot weather had caused a total of 8 matches to be postponed. Langtoft were way behind everyone else, with three matches still to be played at the official end of the season. However, they have had an amazing run where they have been unbeaten for five consecutive matches, which has put them at the top of Division 2, with 103 points and one match in hand. Greeham Poachers are runners-up in Division 2 on 97 points; Greetham Valley Eagles narrowly missed out with 96 points.
The bottom positions in Division 2 were also not deceded until Monday evening: Carlby Corgis just managed to scrape enough points to avoid any possibility of relegation. Barnack Vikings still have one match to play (against Langtoft) but cannot improve on their position in the division and Oakham Delta trail them at the bottom of the table.
Things were much more clear-cut in Division 3, with Carlby Bees topping the division, after a gap of 10 years, with 110 points. Blackstones A had also trailed the other teams with games played and, like Langtoft, had a surge when they were unbeaten for three consecutive games, putting them in second position with 98 points. Market Overton Harriers and Greetham Anglians stand at the bottom of the table.
The competitions run by the Stamford League are now reaching their final stages and the finals will be played on the last weekend in August/first weekend in September. So far, just one final has been settled: Blackstones D will play Market Deeping Regals at Blackstones Bowls Club on Saturday 30th August in the final of the Boor & Wainwright Shield. All other competitions are awaiting the completion of semi-final matches.
President's Gala: Sunday 3rd August
This year’s Stamford League President, Michael “Dusty” Miller, held his Gala at Blackstones Bowls Club last weekend, Sunday 3rd August. Sixteen teams competed on a day which threatened rain but which, apart from one heavy shower, proved to be enjoyed by everyone.
The competition was won by one of the four teams entered by Blackstones Bowls Club, captained by Adam Warrington, who also captained last year’s winning team, but this time his fellow team members were Martyn Dolby, Mark Pye and Jon Earl. The team won all four of the games they played, scoring 32 out of a possible 40 points.
Four teams, with captains Shirley Suffling, Ally McNaughton, Peter Cozens and Graham Patrickson, tied for second place with 26 points. The Stamford Town team – John and Moira Holroyd, Neil Crees and Ken Simmons, captained by Graham Patrickson – were declared runners up based on their shots difference, after winning three games and drawing one. The “spider “ competition was won by last year’s President, Rita Downs.
The President’s chosen charity for this year is Prostate Cancer and, so far, over £1500 has been raised, so a big thank you to everyone who took part, to all those businesses and individuals who have donated either money or prizes, to President “Dusty” Miller and to the Blackstones Club steward and catering staff.
