BOWLS: Promotion-chasing Sleaford BC enjoy a commanding victory over Lincoln

The leading set was Fred Collin supported by Bob Croyman, John Scott and Peter Lowder who enjoyed a convincing 33-17 win. They were romping away with the game until their opponents put in a burst of strong bowling, scoring 12 shots over four ends which woke the Sleaford bowlers up to finish the job.

Tony Stanley’s set of Dave Woods, Roy Barnes and Larry Davies put in some good bowls to score eight shots over three ends to close out the opposition 23-19.

Dougie Stobart’s team of Peter Annison, Jack Thomas and Alan Horne were locked in a close battle throughout their game but were never behind, winning 20-17.

Aubrey Bristow with Ray Bales, Phil Bacon and Richard Pearson were 12-15 down after the 19th end but scored a critical four shots on the last two ends to finish 16-15 winners.

Dave Chandley joined by Dave Hocking, Colin Grosse and Ron Pointon battled all the way but could not get the better of the Lincoln set, losing 18-20.

Last year, the team missed promotion by one point over the whole season; this year it’s a three horse race between Louth, Sleaford and Horncastle. With each team having three more games to play, Louth have 142 points, Sleaford have 141 and Horncastle 119.

Sleaford have to travel for two of their last three matches and the final game is away at Horncastle, invoking a sense of déjà vu – having been in a similar situation last season, travelling to Dunholme and failing to get the one extra point needed to go up.

Other result: Don Offley Open Singles – Gerald Pask beat Bill Stevenson 10-4/4-7 and 2-1 in the tie-break, David Bristow beat Brian Coyne 10-3/10-5, Gareth Hubbard beat Alan Horne 17-2/19-0, Trevor Bannister beat Colin Grosse 14-3/11-7, Brian Jenkinson beat Pete Tyler 11-4/10-2, Richard Musson beat Laurie Bonello 6-7/10-6 and 2 straight in the tie-break, Paul Roberts beat Waylon Clarke 10-5/7-6.