Players from Norfolk, Bedfordshire and further afield competed in a miniature version of Carpet Bowls at the Exeter Gardens Arena.

On an area less than half the length of the standard rink players used bowls that are smaller replicas - in size and weight - of the bowls seen used in televised matches.

The Rules are basically the same and the enthusaism just as keen.

As well as the visitors, teams competed in the North Cambs Carpet Bowls Association event from North Luffenham, Barnack, Deeping Gate, Northborough, Eye, Stilton and Norman Cross, all of which have their own home clubs using local village halls.

"The Stamford event is played twice a year and for carpet bowlers not used to the big arena, it's their equivalent of playing at Wembley in a Cup final," said one on-looker. "The atmosphere is terrific."

Among the more successful local teams is North Luffenham, which attracts mature players from the village, as well as children from the local primary school where they are encouraged to compete under supervision.

The youngsters from Luffenham performed so well that one team reached the last 16 and another, strengthened by one of Herts' county players, reached the final before losing to Over from Cambridge.

Bruce Saint, NCCBA chairman, said: "We are lucky to be able to use the excellent facilities at Stamford and were made very welcome.

"The excellent bar and catering facilities really add to the day's enjoyment."

Stamford IBC's Men's A team's dwindling hopes of a first ever promotion from the second division of the Lincs County League, were shattered when they went down 75-91 at Long Sutton, claiming only four of the 18 points available.

Two rinks emerged successful - skipped by Peter Edwards and Martyn Dolby - but the 17 shot gap they achieved wasn't enough to carry the team to overall victory.

One shining light of optimism, however, was the performance of the club's junior team of Steven Harris, Ami Rigby and brother and sister, Jon and Katie Bailey. On an adjoining rink they trounced the Long Sutton juniors 33-5.

Stamford's women bowlers claimed a welcome victory in the Trudy Bates county league with a 114-77 defeat of Dunholme, claiming 17 points.

In the Northants EBF competitions, Stamford is guaranteed a place in the finals of the triples, when Richard Allam, Mike Wallis and Derek King claimed a 20-18 victory over Roger Martin's rink at Peterborough to earn a semi-final tie with fellow Stamford bowlers Ray Harniess, Barry Plowman and Peter Edwards.

Results
* Lincs League Division Two: Long Sutton 91 (14 pts), Stamford 'A' 75 (2pts). Stamford names only: R Allam, T Harris, J Holroyd, P Bailey lost 15-20; B Plowman, W Jenner, A Horton, P Edwards won 17-6; R Harniess, J Corby, R Warters, M Dolby won 18-13; M Ramsden, D Henshaw, J Geary, M Bailey lost 11-25, D Hudson, J Stoneham, R Montgomery, K Rippin lost 14-27.
* Trudy Bates Women's League: Stamford114 (17), Dunholme 77 (1). Stamford names only: M MacKellar, M Smith, C Cox, P O'Brien won 31-14; P Collicott, J Gamble, M Dalby, D Jackson won 22-17; I Jenner, B Romaine, A Edwards C Ford won 25-12; J Brennan, M Walker, A Northen, M Broadbelt won 18-16; S Henshaw, E Vieth, A Emerson, G Edwards drew 18-18.