Football: Close Shave as Old Newton stay up

Aaron Shave's 19th-minute goal was enough to secure the three points Old Newton United needed this afternoon to confirm their Senior Division place for another season.

• Read the full Green'Un report, here.

Football: Mission accomplished – Haughley United are safe

Spot on! Aaron Robinson opens the scoring

The great escape is complete - a 2-1 victory for Haughley United this afternoon over Coplestonians ensured Phil Fairbrother's side of their senior status in the SIL.
Aaron Robinson opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Craig Simpson blasted in the second before Coplestonians pulled one back on the stroke of half-time.

2-0! Craig Simpson fires in the second

After gaining just seven points from their first 19 games and looking certainties for relegation, new boss Fairbrother has seen the team gain 25 points from their last 10 fixtures to pull off the amazing recovery.

• See more pictures from the game, here.
• Read the Green'Un report, here.

Football: Today's local results

Saturday, April 30

Ridgeons League

Reserve Division North: Stowmarket Tn Res 4 Woodbridge Tn Res 2, match abandoned after 48 minutes due to serious injury.

Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League

Senior Division: Haughley Utd 2 Coplestonians 1; Old Newton Utd 1 Felixstowe Utd 0.

Division 1: BT Trimley 3 Stowupland Falcons 0.

Intermediate Division A: Crane Sports Res 4 Old Newton Utd Res 5.

Intermediate Division B: Stonham Aspal Res 4 Haughley Utd Res 0.

Division 4: Claydon Res 2 Salvation Army Res 2.

Division 5: Old Newton Utd A v Westerfield Utd A, postponed. Rearranged for May 4.

Division 6: Aldeburgh Tn Res 0 Cedars Park Res 6.

Football: This weekend's local fixtures

Saturday, April 30

Ridgeons League (3pm)

Reserve Division North: Stowmarket Tn Res v Woodbridge Tn Res.

Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League (2.30pm)

Senior Division: Haughley Utd v Coplestonians; Old Newton Utd v Felixstowe Utd.

Division 1: BT Trimley v Stowupland Falcons.

Intermediate Division A: Crane Sports Res v Old Newton Utd Res.

Intermediate Division B: Stonham Aspal Res v Haughley Utd Res.

Division 4: Claydon Res v Salvation Army Res

Division 5: Old Newton Utd A v Westerfield Utd A, postponed. Rearranged for May 4.

Division 6: Aldeburgh Tn Res v Cedars Park Res.

Sunday, May 1

Flare Recruitment Ipswich Sunday League (10.30am)

Division MB3: Wetherden 08 v Felixstowe Dolphins.

Frames Conservatories Direct Bury Sunday League (10.30am)

Division 2: Rougham Lions v Stow Excelsior.

Golf: Girls Allowed at Stowmarket Golf Centre

This year is the third birthday of Girls Allowed at Stowmarket Golf Centre. 

Centre pro Duncan Burl said: "Girls Allowed is great way for six-16 year girls to learn a new sport, make new friends and have access to facilities and coaching."

Girls Allowed is on Thursdays, 6-7.30pm, at the Golf Centre (driving range). It starts next Thursday, May 5, and run through to (and including) Thursday, September 29, excluding Thursday, August 25, and Thursday, September 1, when Duncan is on holiday.

"We don't have the financial support from Sport England this year so there is a small charge that I have tried to keep to a minimum," he said. "The cost is £3 per week, payable when you arrive and for that you receive:

• 90 minutes coaching, fun games and challenges
• Free equipment hire
• Unlimited driving range balls
• Use of the nine-hole course and Academy course
• Access to the main 18-hole golf course during the latter weeks
• Prizes for our mini competitions

"I am aware with exams and holidays it is very difficult to commit to Girls Allowed every week and that's why you can come when you wish. If you are unsure if the sessions are on or wish to ask any further questions please call the golf shop, 01449 736392, or email duncan@stowmarketgolfcentre.co.uk.

"You dont need to book a place, just come to the Golf Centre and I will meet you there."

Motorsport: Winning start for Webster

Stowmarket motor racing star Josh Webster proved his position as one of the title-challenging favourites in the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship with a superbly dominant race-winning performance during the opening round of the season at Donington Park on Sunday.
The 17-year-old, who only managed to secure his place on the grid a couple of weeks ago after signing a late deal with top team Fortec Motorsport, made an absolutely electric start to the first of the day’s races at Donington – taking the lead three corners into the race.
Scorching away from fourth on the grid, his second row start not completely representative of his genuine pace after issues with his car in qualifying, Josh immediately moved into second place at Redgate and then grabbed the lead with a tremendous pass on James Thorp at Craner Curves.
From there, the 2010 Formula Renault BARC Winter Series Champion was never headed and he fully controlled the race from the front. Building a lead of over two seconds by lap nine he then posted a then lap record of 1m08.169 seconds (104.51mph) on the 11th tour to seal two bonus points.
Taking the chequered flag on lap 14, and with it his first main championship victory, the teenage star was thrilled with his faultless race performance: “Absolutely fantastic! Before the race I knew what I had to do and it all worked out. We made some changes to the car overnight after qualifying, as we had some problems which slowed me down, but today everything was really good.
“I got a fantastic start, made sure I got the tyres really warm on the green flag lap and then had great traction to get up into second past Dino (Zamparelli) and Archie (Hamilton). Then, down the Craner Curves, I had some extra grip, got past James (Thorp) and pulled away – fantastic!”
Running this weekend with support from Nine Telecom Group, Admiral Group, Integra ICT, Melbek Technology, Sunwise, Everyone Active and Flying Saucer, Josh started round two an uncharacteristic seventh on the grid – due to the aforementioned car issues in qualifying on Saturday.
Even so, much was expected of him after his scintillating race one performance and during the early stages of the race Josh looked on course to potentially mount a podium challenge. Moving into fifth on the opening lap, Josh climbed into the top four prior to a short Safety Car period on lap four with a fantastic pass on the vastly more experienced Dino Zamparelli at the chicane.
Underlining his determination to make amends for the car issues in qualifying he raced with great commitment, dueling hard with Zamparelli, but heartbreak struck on lap 13 when his FR 2.0 ground to a halt entering Hollywood.
Thoroughly disappointed, and unable to prevent his earlier lap record being bettered, Josh still ended the weekend sixth in the driver standings and a certain bet to close down the championship leaders as the season progresses. His sights are set on nothing other than title success and he’ll undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with during the remainder of the season.
After months of major uncertainty about whether or not he’d be racing at all in 2011, Josh will head to Brands Hatch in Kent three weeks from now, 14th/15th May, for the third and fourth rounds of the championship knowing he has the pace and potential to fight for race wins and championship glory.

Football: Relegation verdict is all now in Haughley's hands

Haughley United won a seven-goal thriller to move closer to safety in the SIL Senior Division this evening but a single-goal defeat for Old Newton United at bottom-two side Coplestonians means both local sides are still in with a chance of relegation.
Haughley beat Framlingham 4-3 (Aaron Robinson 2, Nathan Smith and Craig Simpson on target) and now know a win on Saturday over Coplestonians will cement their senior status. That would also leave Old Newton needing just a single point from their final three games to ensure their own safety.
In Division One, Stowupland Falcons slumped to an 8-1 defeat at Leiston St Margarets.

• Read the Haughley Green'Un report, here, and Old Newton's, here.

Bowls: Haughley open season with derby victory

The new Stowmarket Bowls League started last night.
Haughley entertained their local rivals Old Newton (2007) in Division Two.
On an increasingly cold evening, Haughley came out on top by winning 6-1 and by 90 shots to 62 overall.
The best winning rink of Janet Gill, Tas Ormes and Jamie Gill beat their opponents by 41 shots to 11.
Next up is Ixworth away on May 2.

Football: Stowmarket Town finish on a high

Stowmarket Town completed their Ridgeons League First Division programme this afternoon with a 2-1 victory at Team Bury.

Football: Stowmarket Town have chance to climb a place in table

Stowmarket Town have the chance to move into the top five of the Ridgeons First Division this afternoon.
Town travel to Team Bury, 3pm, while Thetford Town, who lead them by two points, face a tricky Breckland derby at Swaffham Town, noon.

Football: Today's Sunday League results

Sunday, April 24

FCD Bury & District Sunday League

Division 2: Kennett & Kentford 1 Stow Excelsior 12 (twelve).

Flare Recruitment Ipswich Sunday League

Division MB3: Claydon 07 1 Wetherden 08 2.

Division RM4: Ipswich Lions 1 Riverside 3.

Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans League

Suffolk FA Veterans Cup, final: Stowupland Falcons 2 Kirkley & Pakefield 1.

Football: Salvation Army one win from safety

Goals from Paul Gunton and Bryn Blower earned Salvation Army an important point in Division Two of the SIL.
The 2-2 draw against Bramford Road Old Boys means victory in the final game of the season on Saturday at home to bottom club Elmswell will mean relegation is avoided.

• Read the full report on the Salvation Army website, here.

Football: Old Newton scrape through in nine-goal thriller

Old Newton United had to withstand a spirited second-half comeback to earn a 5-4 victory over Capel Plough in the Senior Division of the SIL.
The hosts led 4-0 late in the first half with goals from Huckins 2, Lockwood and Rickwood. But Capel pulled back to 4-3 before Abbott grabbed the decisive fifth which made the visitors' final strike irrelevant.

• Read the full Green'Un report, here.

Football: Smith earns Haughley a point

Nathan Smith was on target as Haughley United continued their climb away from relegation danger with a 1-1 draw at Melton St Audrys in the Senior Division of the SIL.

• Read the Green'Un report, here.

Football: Stowmarket Town hit back from two down to win

Stowmarket Town 3, 
March Town United 2
Stowmarket Town moved back into the top six of the Ridgeons First Division with a second half comeback and a performance they have been lacking of late. 
Signs were good early on with Wake turning and firing over on the half volley. 
March were rocked and constantly under the cosh. 
Proctor, Luxford and Myhill all saw scrambled efforts miss the target but then the Cambridgeshire outfit took an unlikely lead. 
Lemon down the left fired in a low cross and with three gold and black legs missing the ball, Plumb stabbed in the ball from close range to end a fruity combination. 
Graham, dancing along the by-line, found Proctor but despite the leading scorer's best efforts, March's keeper was equal and managed to block on the line. 
Just seven more minutes had gone when Stow's best chance fell to Myhill. Standing unmarked, just outside the six-yard box, he met Drummond's great cross but an equally great reaction save denied him.  
As Stow missed, March grew in confidence. A long ball over the top saw Juliano outpace Pleasance and seemed to outpace himself as the ball run away, but that did not stop the Stow man diving in and the resulting penalty was neatly dispatched by Day. 
Despite being 2-0 down at half-time, the Suffolk side never lost heart. 
Again Proctor just poked the ball wide before he met Myhill's cross with precision to head home his first. 
Brand, on as sub, weaved a little magic and clipped his free-kick against the bar but that was all the visitors had to show as Stow continued to pile on the pressure. 
A deep ball down the middle was won by Stow captain Graham, bounced high again and Proctor leaped first and highest to loop the ball over the keeper's head. 
At 2-2 there was only one team going to win this one. 
Both subs came on for Stow and Steve Jay mixed up the formation to send Hall and Joseph into his marauding side and it was Joseph who got the winner with a great run and shot into the bottom corner to keep Stow's top six aspirations still in their sight.

Football: Today's local results

Saturday, April 23

Ridgeons League

First Division: Stowmarket Tn 3 March Tn Utd 2.

Reserve League North: Great Yarmouth Tn Res 3 Stowmarket Tn Res 2.

Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League

Senior Division: Melton St Audrys 1 Haughley Utd 1; Old Newton Utd 5 Capel Plough 4.

Division 1: Thurston 5 Stowupland Falcons 0.

Intermediate A: Ipswich Ath Res 3 Old Newton Utd Res 0.

Intermediate B: Capel Plough Res v Stowupland Falcons Res, postponed, Stowupland unable to raise a team; Haughley Utd Res 1 Thurston Res 0.

Division 2: Bramford Road Old Boys 2 Salvation Army 2.

Division 4: Salvation Army Res 4 Stonham Aspal A 1.

Division 5: Trimley Red Devils Res 4 Cedars Park 0.

Division 6: Cedars Park Res 2 Somersham Res 4 (at Somersham).

Golf: Champion hopes for Lesley

Stowmarket golfer Lesley Barnes has reached the grand final of a national competition to find England’s champion club medal player.
Barnes is one of 10 East region players to qualify for the 2011 Volvo and English Women’s Golf Association Grand Medal Final at Droitwich on June 25.
The grand final will be contested by 60 players with 10 representing each of EWGA’s six regions. To qualify for the regional final, each of them returned the best four scores in the Volvo EWGA Medals at their club last year.

Football: This weekend's local fixtures

Saturday, April 23

Ridgeons League (3pm)

First Division: Stowmarket Tn v March Tn Utd.

Reserve League North: Great Yarmouth Tn Res v Stowmarket Tn Res.

Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League (2.30pm)

Senior Division: Melton St Audrys v Haughley Utd, Old Newton Utd v Capel Plough.

Division 1: Thurston v Stowupland Falcons.

Intermediate A: Ipswich Ath Res v Old Newton Utd Res.

Intermediate B: Capel Plough Res v Stowupland Falcons Res, Haughley Utd Res v Thurston Res.

Division 2: Bramford Road Old Boys v Salvation Army.

Division 4: Salvation Army Res v Stonham Aspal A.

Division 5: Trimley Red Devils Res v Cedars Park.

Division 6: Cedars Park Res v Somersham Res (at Somersham).

Sunday, April 24

FCD Bury & District Sunday League (10.30am)

Division 2: Kennett & Kentford v Stow Excelsior.

Flare Recruitment Ipswich Sunday League (10.30am)

Division MB3: Claydon 07 v Wetherden 08.

Division RM4: Ipswich Lions v Riverside.

Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans League (2.15pm)

Suffolk FA Veterans Cup, final: Stowupland Falcons v Kirkley & Pakefield (at Victory Road, Leiston FC).

Golf: Wood reigns supreme but five-point reductions for Mees and Thrall

John Wood reduced his handicap from eight to five on his way to winning Division One of the April Medal at Stowmarket Golf Centre.

Wood scored a nett 23 to beat Simon Lapthorne (32-8-24) by a single point but Lapthorne also saw his handicap drop by three. Graham Theobald was third, his nett 26 saw his handicap reduced from four to two.

Leading woman was Felicity Groom (40-7-33).

Clive Mees won Division Two, shaving five off his handicap on the way with a gross 34, nett 20, score to win by five points from Pam Willshere (38-13-25).

It was a similar story in Division Three where Linda Thrall knocked her handicap down from 20 to 15 with a nett 20 score, ten ahead of Chris Hockings (68-38-30).

Badminton: Fightback glory for Stowmarket/Meadlands pair

A pair from rival clubs joined forces to earn victory in the ladies doubles final at the 48th Ipswich and District Badminton League Championships at Northgate Sports Centre.

A third game was needed to decide the outcome but Karen Adderson (Meadlands) and Amanda Newcombe (Stowmarket) prevailed, fighting back from 18-13 down in the decider against Sue Poole and Sarah Gooding (YMCA) to win 10-21, 21-13, 21-19.

Football: Stowmarket Town slip down table

Stowmarket Town fell to seventh in the First Division of the Ridgeons League this evening with a single goal defeat at home to Fakenham Town.

• Read the Green'un report, here.

Football: Haughley bounce back but surprise defeat for Old Newton

Haughley United put Saturday's heavy home defeat behind them to record a 2-0 win at East Bergholt United this evening in the Senior Division of the SIL but Old Newton United suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat to bottom club Coplestonians.
Kwame Jones and Aaron Robinson were on target for Haughley as they made it six wins from their last seven games to continue to pull clear of relegation danger.
Aaron Shave missed a penalty for Old Newton, but Adam Rickwood netted a second spot kick, while Matt Huckins was also on target.

• Read the Haughley Green-un report, here, and the Old Newton one, here.

Football: Three teams face Tuesday night action

There's a busy night of local football action this evening with all three of the area's senior teams in action.
Stowmarket Town welcome Fakenham Town to Greens Meadow in the Ridgeons League, 7.45pm, while in the Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Division, Old Newton United are at home to Coplestonians, while Haughley United travel to East Bergholt United, both 6.15pm.

Football: Radio date for Stowupland Falcons youth teams

Stowmarket Falcons FC's youth section were visited by BBC Radio Suffolk to interview players about women’s and local grassroots football.

In the first interview, Carly U13 assistant manager and Gemma and Charley (U13 players)  were interviewed about girls' and women's football.

It is available on the BBC iPlayer for the next seven days. Click here.

The interview was played during the Mark Murphy breakfast show at about 6.22am. To listen, go 22 minutes into the broadcast.

Club spokesman Neal Smith said: "A great interview, a great advert for the club and our big five-a-side tournament.

"We hope a second interview with some of our older players will be broadcast soon."

Football: Falcons fly into second cup final

Stowupland Falcons romped into the final of the Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans League Cup with a 4-0 victory over Premier Division runners-up Woodbridge Town this afternoon.

Goals from David Thompson 2, Simon Cutting and Neil Gregory earned the Division One champions a place in the final on May 6 against Norwich Trafford, who needed penalties to beat Kirkley & Pakefield after their 3-3 draw.

Falcons are already through to the final of the Suffolk FA Veterans Cup, where they meet Kirkley & Pakefield next Sunday, as they stay on track for a remarkable trophy treble.

Football: Today's Sunday League results

Sunday, April 17

Flare Recruitment Ipswich Sunday League

Premier Division: Unicorn v Ipswich Thistle, late result.

MB3: Felixstowe Dolphins v Wetherden 08, late result.

FCD Bury Sunday League

Division 2: Stow Excelsior v Kennett & Kentford, match awarded to Stow.

Division 3: Buxhall Utd 3 AFC Hardwick 6.

Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans League

League Cup, semi-final: Stowupland Falcons 4 Woodbridge Town 0.

Football: Double top for Cedars Park

Cedars Park's two teams are top of their respective SIL divisions going into the closing stages of the season.

The first team won 4-0 at East Bergholt United A thanks to goals from Tom Coe, Tom Jacobs, James Kennedy and David Thompson.

That put the Lions a point ahead of Westerfield United at the top of Division Five but from one game more.

And it was the same score for the Reserves at home to Sproughton United in Division Six. Gerry Daly netted a hat-trick to add to Luke Uttley's goal, confirming a top-two finish. 

The Lions second string remain a point clear of Sproughton Sports Reserves with both having two games left to play.

Football: Salvation Army open gap at foot of table

Paul Gunton struck twice to earn Salvation Army a valuable 2-1 victory over Great Blakenham in SIL Division Two and complete a quick-fire double after their 1-0 win at Great Blakenham last week.

It puts the Army five points clear of their second-bottom-placed opponents but from three games more.

• Read the full report on the Salvation Army website, here.

Football: Old Newton earn long-awaited victory

Adam Rickwood helped ease Old Newton's fears of being dragged into an SIL Senior Division battle.

His goal was the only one of the game to earn victory at Woodbridge Athletic to end a seven-match winless run.

• Read the full Green'un report here.

Football: Haughley's run ends

Haughley United's seven-match unbeaten run came to an end as they crashed to a 5-1 home defeat to Grundisburgh.

Aaron Robinson got Haughley's goal in bizarre fashion when the goalkeeper carried the ball over his own line from a corner but they never looked like adding to their five-match winning run against the SIL leaders.

• Read the full Green'un report here.

Football: Today's local results

Saturday, April 16

Ridgeons League

Reserve Division North: Whitton Utd 1 Stowmarket Town 5.

Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League

Senior Division: Haughley Utd 1 Grundisburgh 5, Woodbridge Ath 0 Old Newton Utd 1.

Division 1: Stowupland Falcons 1 Trimley Red Devils 2.

Intermediate Division B: BT Trimley Res 0 Haughley Utd Res 3.

Division 2: Salvation Army 2 Great Blakenham 1.

Division 5: East Bergholt Utd A 0 Cedars Park 4, Old Newton A 1 Coddenham Res 1.

Division 6: Cedars Park Res 4 Sproughton Utd 0.

Football: This weekend's local fixtures

Today
Ridgeons League (3pm)
Reserve Division North: Whitton Utd v Stowmarket Town.


Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League (2.30pm)
Senior Division: Haughley Utd v Grundisburgh, Woodbridge Ath v Old Newton Utd.
Division 1: Stowupland Falcons v Trimley Red Devils.
Intermediate Division B: BT Trimley Res v Haughley Utd Res.
Division 2: Salvation Army v Great Blakenham.
Division 5: East Bergholt Utd A v Cedars Park, Old Newton A v Coddenham Res.
Division 6: Cedars Park Res v Sproughton Utd.


Tomorrow
Flare Recruitment Ipswich Sunday League (10.30am)
Premier Division: Unicorn v Ipswich Thistle.
MB3: Felixstowe Dolphins v Wetherden 08.


FCD Bury Sunday League (10.30am)
Division 2: Stow Excelsior v Kennett & Kentford.
Division 3: Buxhall Utd v AFC Hardwick.


Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans League (2.45pm)
League Cup, semi-final: Stowupland Falcons v Woodbridge Town.

Darts: Latest results

Stowmarket & District Darts League

Royal William 1, Kings Arms 6; Stowupland Sports 2, Huntsman 5; Needham Institute 6, Queens Head 1; Finningham 5, Old Newton SSC B 2 British Legion 5, Coddenham 2; Meadlands 3, Onehouse Shepherd & Dog 4; Stow Crown 4, Riverside 3; Old Newton SSC A 4, Pickerel 3.

High out shots: G Peck, Needham I 120; G Norman, Finningham 116; M Barton, Old Newton SSC B 108.

Football: All square in reserve derby

Honours ended even in this evening's SIL Intermediate Division B derby where the reserve teams of Stowupland Falcons and Haughley United finished all square at 1-1.

Paper Talk: Stowmarket sport in the local media (Spotlight on Stowmarket)

There are reports from Stowmarket Striders, Stowmarket Town FC Youth Section and Stowmarket Cricket Club in this month's Spotlight on Stowmarket magazine.
The second edition of the bright, new publication has been delivered over the past week or so.

Football: Cedars Park on brink of promotion double

A promotion double is set to be celebrated by SIL team Cedars Park.
Hot on the heels of the first team confirming promotion to Division Four on Saturday, a 3-2 win over Willis Reserves this evening virtually assured their reserves of promotion from Division Six.
Goals from Tom Allnutt  Danny Barnard and Tommy Lankester gave them victory and put them nine points clear of fourth-placed FC Adhara with only three games to play. 
A superior goal difference of 33 should be enough to see the Lions second string up, even if they fail to get the point they need to guarantee a top-three finish and the step up that brings.

Football: Old Newton crash to heavy defeat

Adam Rickwood was on target for Old Newton United in their SIL Senior Division match at Grundisburgh last night.
But it was scant consolation for United, who crashed to a 6-1 defeat, stretching their winless run to seven matches.

Paper Talk: Stowmarket sport in the local media (Stowmarket Flyer)

The Stowmarket Flyer is bigger than ever with 20 pages packed with local news and sport and it's been landing on door mats this week.
It now includes a two-page sport section in conjunction with the Stowmarket Sport website.
As well as the highlights from recent weeks online, there is also a report from Stowmarket Cricket Club.

• The Stowmarket & District Flyer is distributed throughout the town and surrounding area and spare copies are normally available at the Tourist Information Centre.

Football: All square for Stowmarket Town

Stowmarket Town were held to their second draw in four days this evening.

Following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Downham Town, Stow were held to the same score by Long Melford at Greens Meadow.

Football: Stowmarket Town gunning for revenge

Stowmarket Town have the chance to steal a march on their rivals for fifth spot in the Ridgeons First Division this evening.
Town welcome Long Melford to Greens Meadow, 7.45pm, with the chance to move three points clear of the chasing pack and avoid being dragged down into a mid-table finish.
Despite missing out on the promotion battle, Town still have plenty to play for and have the added incentive of revenge, having lost in heart-breaking fashion 4-3 in the reverse fixture.