NORTHANTS bowlers claimed two titles at the English Bowling Federation national championships played on the challenging greens at Skegness.
Ketton pair Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford swept to success in the women's senior pairs by defeating North Essex 27-13 (they were 23-0 ahead before conceding a shot), Notts 24-11 and Northumberland 19-10 in the final.
Blackstones brother and sister Stephen and Louise Harris took the honours in the Under 25 open pairs with wins against North Cambs 20-8, Humberside 20-15 and Suffolk 20-8 in the final.
It was a fitting end to Stephen's successful spell in the junior category as he lifted the trophy for the second time, having won it with Darren Middleton in 2016. Louise also reached the semi-final of the women's under 25 singles, losing to the eventual winner from Derbyshire.
Northants narrowly missed out on a third title when Blackstones' Jane Needham, playing in the finals for the first time, and Martyn Dolby were beaten 19-14 in the final of the mixed pairs by Derbyshire, having beaten Northumberland (19-10), Norfolk (20-14) and Lincs (17-8) along the way.
There were also semi-final appearances for the Parkway mixed rink of Paul Dalliday, Michelle Coleman and James Harford, defeating Notts (22-20) and Lincs 24-11 before bowing out to Durham, who went on to win the title, and Yaxley's Robert Heath and Tony Belson, pipped 19-18 by North Essex in the senior pairs after wiins against Northumberland (19-13) and Notts (21-16).
Northants only managed to win opening round matches in five other disciplines, Wendy Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) in the women's senior singles; Linda Starbuck, Moira and Helen Holroyd (Stamford) in the women's three-bowl triples; Roger Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) in the men's two-bowl singles; Sophie Morton and Merisha McKernan (Parkway) in the women's pairs and Martyn Dolby, John Earl and Adam Warrington (Blackstones) in the men's two-bowl triples.
Those who lost their opening round matches were:
WOMEN
Shirley Suffling (Ketton) in the two-bowl singles; Sophie Morton (Parkway) in the four-bowl singles; Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl) in the secretary singles; Myra Landsburgh (City of Peterborough) in the Champion of Champion singles and Linda Toms, Tina Tinklin and Liz Hext (Conservative) in the two-bowl triples.
MEN
Wayne Morris (Blackstones) in the four-bowl singles; Stephen Harris (Blackstones) in the under 25 singles; Peter Cox (Langtoft Pearl) in the veterans singles; Melvyn Beck (Whittlesey Manor) in the secretary singles; James Harford (Parkway) in the Champion of Champions singles; Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley) in the pairs; Chris & Dick Ford (Ketton) in the senior mixed pairs and Martyn Dolby, John Earl and Adam Warrington (Blackstones) in the three-bowl triples.
Don't forget you can salute your national winners at the county presentation luncheon at the Orton Hall Hotel on Sunday, September 19 (12.00 for 12.30). Book your tickets via the men's and women's county secretaries.
Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford, winners of the women’s senior pairs.
Louise and Stephen Harris, winners of the Under 25 open pairs.
