HAVING pushed their A team all the way to the line in their opening Derbyshire Trophy match of the season, Northants B were brought down to earth with a bump by Norfolk at Peterborough & District.
Only eight shots separated the A and B teams in the first fixture of the English Bowling Federation's indoor inter-county championship, but this time Northants B were very much second best as Norfolk powered their way to a 148-54 victory to claim all 14 points.
The rink of John Holroyd, Cliff Watson and Mick Duell did have their heads in front for almost two thirds of their clash, but were overhauled over the closing ends to lose by 14 shots – 36-22.
Jeff Clipston, Brian Bassam and county president Dick Noble kept within striking distance of their opponents, the losing margin being only 11 shots – 26-15.
It was far less competitive on the other two rinks, with Les Sharp, Ray Keating and Mick Linnell going down 36-13, while Melvyn Beck, Mick Greaves and team captain Malcolm Squires endured a nightmare 50-4 drubbing.
It was therefore a baptism of fire for county secretary Melvyn Beck, a late replacement for the injured Mike Ramsden, against a rink skipped by Bryan Sadler, who found the green so much to his liking that his team-mates presented him with a Peterborough & District membership form at the post-match dinner.
RESULT
Northants B 54 (0), Norfolk 148 (14) – (Northants rinks only):
John Holroyd, Cliff Watson, Mick Duell lost 22-36; Les Sharp, Ray Keating, Mick Linnell lost 13-36; Jeff Clipston, Brian Bassam, Dick Noble lost 15-26; Melvyn Beck, Mick Greaves, Malcolm Squires lost 4-50.
