Having reached the final of the Newton Trophy just two years ago, Northants Federation’s second string were looking for a good start to the 2019 campaign against a North Cambs outfit able only to field one team in the Federation championships and in recent years the whipping boys in the top Adams division.
However, under new rules, the team which normally gathers its players from the Kings Lynn, Downham Market and Wisbech area, was rejuvenated in its first season among the county reserve teams of Norfolk, Hunts, Suffolk, Lincs and Northants.
Playing an aggressive style of bowls that at times caught Cliff Watson’s team off guard, North Cambs captured all six two-bowl triples rinks, stacking up a 53-shot victory at the City of Peterborough club and claimed all 22 points.
Commented a shocked Watson: ” I have just come from a dark place. The new North Cambs squad are going to do some damage now that they are competing against county second strings.
“I suspect there is going to be some bleating about single county teams competing in the Newton (traditionally for reserve sides) when the national annual meeting comes round but, though we didn’t play badly overall, we got beaten by players attacking and trailing the jack.”
Even the combination of Peter Brown – who has elected to join the Hunts EBA Middleton Cup campaign, with occasional sorties alongside his son Zac and Dave Corney in the Newton squad, couldn’t stop the Cambs rampage, losing 24-25.
Elsewhere there was a narrow 24-27 defeat for new cap Dave Roberts, Brian Bassam and Roger Strong.
This weekend Northants entertain Suffolk in the Newton at City of Peterborough, while the Northants Adams team hosts Suffolk at Blackstones.
Result (Northants names only):
Newton Trophy: Northants 136 (0) North Cambs 183 (22). Richard Allam, Martin Stokes and Malc Squires lost 24 – 30; Dave Roberts, Brian Bassam and Roger Strong lost 24 – 27; Andy Dyer, Tony Kemp and Dick Noble lost 18 – 35; Les Sharp, Mick Greaves and Alec Emery lost 20 – 30; Dave Corney, Zac Brown and Peter Brown lost 24 – 25; Jeff Clipston, Peter Jessop and Fred Richardson lost 26 – 36.
