THE Newton team’s hopes of reaching the national final at Skegness in August received a dent when they lost their unbeaten record to Lincs at Grantham, picking up just five points from a 149-165 defeat.
It means that Lincs, who had also won their first two matches, are now nine points ahead of Northants at the top of the southern section with two fixtures remaining, Northants travel to North Cambs (this Saturday) and then Norfolk, while Lincs are at home to Suffolk and then away to Hunts.
Frustratingly, Northants led for two thirds of the match, but between ends twenty and 25 the wheels came off, as Lincs collated 35 shots to Northants’ 15 to take control at 135-122, a margin they comfortably maintained to the end.
The Northants rink wins came from Tom Fielding (28-17) and Alec Emery (33-32), while the rink of Kevin Vinter drew 23-23.
Meanwhile, the Adams team suffered a third defeat of the season when beaten 196-130 by Lincs at Boston, returning home with just two points thanks to the rink of Graham Agger, which won 36-24.
RESULTS
ADAMS TROPHY
NORTHANTS 130 (2), LINCS 196 (20) – (Northants rinks only):
Wayne Morris, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington lost 28-30; Michael Humphries, Mark Pye, John Earl lost 25-31; Howard Shipp, Ray Keating, Paul Buckley lost 14-32; Jay Travis-Jenner, Martin & Paul Bailey lost 15-30; Roger Stevens, Jeremy Tucker, Zack Brown lost 11-49; Neil Wright, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger won 36-24.
NEWTON TROPHY
NORTHANTS 149 (5), LINCS 165 (17) – (Northants rinks only):
Adam Emery, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding won 28-17; Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery won 33-32; Peter Cox, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter drew 23-23; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence lost 20-33; Malcolm Mann, Darren Middleton, Ally McNaughton lost 22-27; Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson lost 23-33.
