Dwindling hopes that the Northants A team could lock down a place in the Derbyshire Trophy Federation inter-county Championship finals were dashed on Sunday by Norfolk at Gallow IBC in Fakenham.
The home side were relentless on two of the four rinks, quickly putting any hopes Northants had beyond reach as they went on to win 129-64 claiming 12 of the 14 points at stake.
Only the rink of Brian Martin, Richard Allam (making a county re-call) and Roger Martin salvaged some pride with a 25-21 win in the two-bowl triples format after trailing 6-13 and then 20-21 with two ends to go.
James Harford, partnered by Neil Wright and the evergreen Jeff Newson led 19-17 at 19 ends but conceded seven in five ends.
Conceding 23 shots in 10 ends put paid to Simon Law’s hopes while despite switching to lead to good effect at the midway point Martyn Dolby’s trio were unable to prevent a rampant Sam King trio scoring a 32-shot victory.
Norfolk entertain league leaders Lincolnshire on Sunday needing maximum points to qualify for the finals at Newark.
Results (Stamford names only):
Derbyshire Trophy : Norfolk 129 (12 pts) Northants A (2). B Martin, R Allam, R Martin won 25-21; P Dalliday, P Afford, S Law lost 10-41; N Wright, J Newson, J Harford lost 20-25; H Shipp, B Warters, M Dolby lost 9-41. BW
