Northants Donald Steward team ahead of their win over Norfolk at Barnack (image is only low resolution)
Northants Silver Jubilee Vase team before their match with Norfolk at City of Peterborough BC.
WITH THE KETTON green still unfit after the recent deluge, Northants Women’s Bowling Federation switched its Donald Steward Trophy match against previously, unbeaten Norfolk to Barnack – and caused a big upset.
After the visitors had scored convincing wins over North Cambs, Hunts and Suffolk to lead the table, they were promptly put in their place by Northants, playing their opening game of the season.
Despite the unfamiliar venue, the home side won by 26 shots and claimed all but two of the 18 points available.
Leading the way was the reshuffled rink of Terri Handley, Elizabeth Wallace and the experienced Julie Masters mastering the Barnack green with an impressive 29-12 win.
They kept their Norfolk opponents to just two shots in the last 15 of the 25-end match, a crucial factor in claiming the overall points.
Once they were 20 shots ahead from the tenth end, Northants kept their foot on the gas and never relinquished more than a 16-shot overall lead.
Rinks skipped by Gill King, Sue Moir and Gill Day also contributed to the points while, captain Joan Robinson also praised president and skip Chris Ford’s only losing rink.
“Everyone played their part and even the 15 shots Christine’s rink contributed was vital to the overall success. Every player made me very proud,” she added.
“This is my fourth year as captain and it has been a steep learning curve for everyone. But now we have a happy squad of players gelling together,” said Robinson, who picked out special praise for county secretary Terri Handley making her Donald Steward debut.
“She was very nervous at the start but led marvellously.”
The Barnack club was also praised for rallying round to produce a late change of venue.
Against Norfolk in the Silver Jubilee Vase at City of Peterborough, Northants won on only two rinks in a 4-14 defeat, scoring 100 shots, while conceding 122.
Rinks skipped by Myra Landsburgh and Hazel Bass were the points scorers.
The next match is for the Donald Steward team against North Cambs at Ketton on Wednesday June 26 (1pm).
Results (Northants names only):
Donald Steward Trophy (at Barnack): Northants 122 (16 pts) Norfolk 96 (2). Tina Tknklin, Liz Hext (Conservative) Sue Moir (Langtoft) won 25-18; Kath Browning, Marlene Osbourne, Gill King ( all Yaxley) won 28-26; Fiona Richardson (City of Peterborough), Wendy Harrold (Whittlesey Manor), Gill Day (CoP) won 25-17; Terri Handley (Deeping AS), Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton), Julie Masters (Parkway) won 29-12; Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Christine Ford (all Ketton) lost 15-23.
Silver Jubilee Vase (at City of Peterborough):Northants 100 (4) Norfolk 122 (14). J. Needham, L. Toms, M. Landsburgh won 28 – 19; M. Holden, M. Andrew, A. Northen lost 14 – 33; C. Grief, C. McCarthy, H. Bass won 25 – 18; V. Slater, A. Cox, V. Hempsell lost 18 – 22. J. Cooper, V. Du’Kett, W. Humphreys lost 15-30.
