FOR the first time this season both the Adams and Newton teams achieved victories on the same day in the English Bowling Federation county men’s championships, but neither result may be of little significance entering the final weekend of the competition.
The Adams team won for the first time this season – 165-146 away to North Essex at Radwinter – while the Newton side made it three wins out of four away to North Cambs (174-165) at March, but with title rivals Lincs and Norfolk both collecting more points, they are all but out of the southern section title reckoning.
As a result of their 18 points return, the Adams team leapfrogged North Essex to climb off the bottom of the table, the four rinks wins coming courtesy of Graham Agger (38-25), Paul Bailey (27-15), John Earl (25-20) and Paul Buckley (30-27).
The Newton team trail leaders Lincs by 11 points and next weekend’s opponents Norfolk by three going into the final fixture, but their 16 points return could have been more with the rinks of Tom Fielding and Ally McNaughton losing by one shot and two shots respectively.
The rink of Tony Belson topped the scoring chart (40-25) and there were also wins for Kevin Vinter (30-29) and Alec Emery (33-19).
RESULTS
ADAMS TROPHY
Northants 165 (18), North Essex 146 (4): (Northants rinks only) –
Richard Allam, Jay Travis Jenner, Paul Bailey won 27-15; Roger Stevens, Zack & Peter Brown lost 21-31; Neil Wright, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger won 38-25; Stuart Agger, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington lost 24-28; Michael Humphreys, Mark Pye, John Earl won 25-20; Howard Shipp, Ray Keating, Paul Buckley won 30-27.
NEWTON TROPHY
Northants 174 (16), North Cambs 165 (6): (Northants rinks only) –
Malcolm Mann, Darren MIddleton, Ally McNaughton lost 27-29; Les Sharp, Martin Welsford, Tony Belson won 40-25; Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery won 33-19; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence lost 19-37; Gareth Dickenson, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding lost 25-26; Steve Lander, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter won 30-29.
