Northants’ women bowlers suffered a setback to their hopes of reaching the Donald Steward Trophy finals at Skegness for the first time in 25 years.
They were beaten 131-91 by Suffolk, claiming only two of the 18 points on offer.
It leaves Northants needing to grab maximum points from their last two matches – away to Hunts and home to North Essex – and for Suffolk to slip up at bottom of the table North Essex next week, an unlikely scenario.
Norfolk currently lead the table with 62 points, having completed their five fixtures. Suffolk have 52 with Northants on 35 after completing three fixtures.
Only the rink of Tina Tinklin, Liz Hext (both Conservative Club) and Sue Moir (Langtoft) emerged with points from the match at Borough of Eye in a 26-15 win.
The Ketton trio of Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford had a chance for two more but their opposition stole it 21-20.
It was a similar tale for the Silver Jubilee Vase at St Botolph’s BC who also conceded 16 points in a 23-shot defeat, where on Carol Grief (Crowland), Cheryl McCarthy and Hazel Bass (both Yaxley) were the only successes 30-20.
Results (Northants names only):
Donald Steawrd Trophy (at Borough of Eye) Suffolk 131 (16 pts) Northants 91 (2). C. Warters, S. Suffling, C. Ford lost 20 – 21; F. Richardson, N. Squires, M Landsburgh lost 19 – 26; K. Browning, M. Osbourne, G. King lost 11 – 38; T Tinklin, E. Hext, S. Moir won won 26 – 15; T. Handley, E. Wallace, J. Masters lost 15 – 31.
Silver Jubilee Vase (at St. Botolphs B.C.) : Suffolk 125 (16) Northants 102 (2). M. Holden, J. Padley, J. Cooper lost 26 – 27; J. Needham, L. Toms, W. Humphreys lost 24-27; V. Slater, A. Cox, V. Hempsell lost 17 – 21; C. Grief, C. McCarthy, H. Bass won 30 – 20; W. Stevens, W. Harrold, G. Day 12 – 33
