WHAT a start for Dave Corney in his first match as captain of the Newton Trophy team as he watched his new-look squad achieve a rare victory over Suffolk, who have appeared in the last three finals, winning two of them.
They won on four of the six rinks at Whittlesey Manor for a resounding 192-153 success, collecting 18 of the 22 points on offer, and now they look to build on that foundation when they host Hunts at the same venue on Saturday.
There were runaway victories for the rinks of Tony Belson (45-18), Tom Fielding (40-23) and Ally McNaughton (39-21), while Barry Lawrence’s rink held off a late charge to win 27-24.
The Adams team, playing at Parkway, were unable to complete the double over Suffolk as they went down 140-178 (4-18), their rink wins coming from Adam Warrington (33-18) and Paul Buckley (26-19).
RESULTS
ADAMS TROPHY
Northants 140 (4), Suffolk 178 (18) – (Northants rinks only):
Brian Martin, James Harford, Mike Robertson lost 24-36; Wayne Morris, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington won 33-18; Tom Newman, MIchael Humphreys, John Earl lost 19-35; Roger Stevens, Zack Brown, Paul Bailey lost 22-34; Graham Agger, Ray Keating, Paul Buckley won 26-19; Stuart Agger, Mick Linnell, Roger Martin lost 15-36.
NEWTON TROPHY
Northants 192 (18), Suffolk 153 (4) – (Northants rinks only):
Malcolm Mann, Darren Middleton, Ally McNaughton won 39-21; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence won 27-24; Gareth Dickenson, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding won 40-23; Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson won 45-18; Peter Cox, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter lost 20-35; Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery lost 21-32.
