SIMON Law’s Northants A team opened their bid to regain the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy they won last year by defeating their own B side 116-75 at Stamford to secure 11 of the 14 points on offer.
However, the match was much more competitive than the final scoreline suggests as at the halfway stage Dudley Smith’s B team led on three of the four rinks before the A side took control in the second half.
The rink of Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday and Simon Law powered their way from 6-2 down to demolish Smith’s rink of Martin Prudhoe and Tien Ngo 42-17, a result that more or less guaranteed the A team would win overall from some way out.
Not far behind was the rink of Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell and Graham Agger who from 13-13 after 14 ends against Peter Linnell, Ally McNaughton and Mike Anderson scored 24 shots to two over the last 11 ends to win 37-15.
Adam Warrington’s rink of Wayne Morris and Michael Humphreys trailed Peter Smith, Kevin Vinter and Roger Martin 19-11 with just six ends left, but came back to draw 21-21.
The B team’s solitary rink success came from John Holroyd, Andy Cox and Trevor Collins who kept the rink of Brian Martin, Tom Newman-Borrett and Peter Brown at arm’s length after hitting the front on the eighth end before running out 22-16 winners.
RESULT
NORTHANTS A 116 (11), NORTHANTS B 75 (3) – (A team rinks first):
Brian Martin, Tom Newman-Borrett, Peter Brown 16, John Holroyd, Andy Cox, Trevor Collins 22; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger 37, Peter Linnell, Ally McNaughton, Mike Anderson 15; Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law 42, Martin Prudhoe, Tien Ngo, Dudley Smith 17; Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington 21, Peter Smith, Kevin Vinter, Roger Martin 21.
PICTURED BELOW- Northants B (top) and Northants A
