The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Three Spalding-based bowlers had reason to celebrate at the Lincolnshire county finals over the weekend as they lifted two top titles between them.
Ayscoughfee talent Ashley Caress stormed to a stunning victory in the under-25 singles final at the Spalding Town Bowls Club finals, while Royal Mail Cart pairing Steve Hill and Martin Spencer were crowned pairs champions.
The trio all reached personal landmarks in their respective finals, having never previously lifted the trophies before.
In the under-25 singles final, Caress faced the challenge of Jonathan West, of Burton House Bowls Club in Boston.
Caress, in his first ever county under 25 singles final, hit top form early, took an 18-6 lead and narrowly missed a shot to win the game on the next end.
It almost proved to be a game of two halves, as West found some form of his own to bring the score back to 18-16.
But Caress kept his cool as he trailed the jack with his last bowl of the next end to make the three shots he needed and claim a 21-16 victory – meaning he clinched the coveted title for the first time.
WINNER: Ashley Caress with his trophy.
Both county finalists will now represent Lincolnshire at the national championships at Leamington Spa, where Caress will face a representative from Worcestershire in the first round on Saturday, August 15.
Although he will be competing at the national championships for the fifth time, it is the first time for him in this event.
Meanwhile, Hill and Spencer contested the pairs final against Steve Clarke and John Withers, from St Giles Bowls Club in Lincoln.
It was a relatively new experience for the Spalding duo, as Hill was playing in his first-ever county final and Spencer was taking part in his maiden county pairs final.
Despite some excellent bowling from the Royal Mail Cart pairing, the St Giles skip found some big saviour bowls to keep them in the game.
At 14 ends, however, Hill and Spencer really started to take control. They picked up six shots in three ends to give themselves a 21-12 lead with four ends to play.
Unfazed, Hill and Spencer then picked up two shots on the last end to claim a 23-16 victory to ensure they lifted the county pairs crown for the first time.
As with the under-25 singles, both pairs finalists will represent Lincolnshire at the national championships.
Hill and Spencer will face representatives from Suffolk in their first round on Sunday, August 23.
Although Spencer will be competing at the nationals for the eighth time, this will be his first time in the pairs event.
Hill will be facing new territory too, as he will be competing at the championships for the very first time.
