NORTHANTS A ended their Derbyshire Trophy programme with a 93-72 home defeat at the hands of southern section champions Lincolnshire at Stamford.
With Lincs having already sewn up the title to qualify for the national final at Newark at the end of April, Northants were simply playing for pride in what was team captain James Harford’s last match in charge.
However, they were unable to provide him with a winning send-off, the only rink success coming from Richard Allam, Mal Smith and John Earl, who won 22-17, but Wayne Morris, Mike Robertson and Brian Martin only went down by one shot.
During his term as captain, James guided his team to national success in 2019 and they were beaten finalists last year.
RESULT
NORTHANTS A 72 (2), LINCS 93 (12) – (Northants rinks only):
Ally McNaughton, Paul Dalliday, James Harford lost 17-25; Tony Barwell, Dusty Miller, Martyn Dolby lost 13-30; Wayne Morris, Mike Robertson, Brian Martin lost 20-21; Richard Allam, Mal Smith, John Earl won 22-17.
