Above: Cliff Watson flanked by county president Tony Mace (right) and deputy president Dick Noble.
IN RECOGNITION of his dedicated 20-year service to the county, Cliff Watson has been made a life member of the Northants Bowling Federation, writes press officer Bob Warters.
The 63-year-old who led Northants to the 2015 inter-county Adams Trophy title for the first time in its history as manager, then captained the Newton Trophy team to its first national final in half a century earlier this year, received his recognition at the annual meeting this week.
A former county singles champion, Watson first joined the committee in 1996, taking on the manager’s role of the Under 25 side in which his daughter Karen played. He played at the Phorpres and South Ward clubs before joining Whittlesey Manor in his home town and eventually Peterborough & District.
Nominated by umpire and former county president Alan Croxford, who is relinquishing his role as national delegate after many years, Watson said: “This is a surprise and a great honour. It is very much appreciated.”
Among the newly elected officials is Jonathan Earl (Blackstones) as Adams captain, succeeding Peter Brown (Whittlesey Manor). Earl’s club is hoping it can also host the Adams home matches this season for the first time – a decision on which will be made at the next executive committee.
In his report, county president Tony Mace thanked all those who had worked hard toward maintaining the county’s status administratively and competitively. Northants had not picked up any individual titles but reached a national outdoor final (mixed pairs) and won the prestigious Eversley Trophy for county executives at Newark IBC in April.
The meeting agreed to adopt tailored grey shorts (not football or cargo shorts or cropped trousers) as appropriate alternative dress for outdoor competitions from 2018 in line with other organisations. Tailored white shorts may be worn at county outdoor finals.
The county also supported North Cambs’ proposal to allow smaller counties to field only one outdoor team to participate in the Newton Trophy. National rules currently dictate one-team counties must play in the Adams event. The motion will be discussed at the EBF agm in Grantham later in the year.
Thanks chiefly to a sponsorship agreement from Forterra, the Whittlesey concrete and brick suppliers, the county reported a profit of £1,116.
Officers: President Tony Mace, deputy president Dick Noble; secretary Melvyn Back; treasurer Les Sharp; fixture secretary Graham Agger; competition and result secretary Barry Lawrence; minutes secretary Linda Toms; press officer Bob Warters; child & vulnerable adult protection representative Neil Wright; Adams captain Jon Earl; Newton captain Cliff Watson; Derbyshire Trophy A captain James Harford (Derbyshire Trophy B captain, Malcolm Squires);reporting accountant Mike Robertson; management committee (re-elected en bloc) Brian Bassam, Peter Brown, Paul Dalliday, Mick Greaves, Steve Roden , Martin Welsford, Neil Wright. Tony Kemp (Conservative Club) was elected on to the committee.
