Northants Bowling Federation

IT has been confirmed that the English Bowling Federation indoor finals from last year will be played at Newark IBC from Monday, October 4 through to Sunday, October 10.

The Derbyshire Trophy final, which will feature holders Northants against Durham, will be played on Saturday, October 9, with the Eversley Trophy the following day.

Looking further ahead, next year's indoor finals will be staged at the same venue between Tuesday, April 18 and Sunday, April 24, when the Derbyshire final will be played. The Eversley Trophy will be played earlier in the month on Sunday, April 3.

The 2022 national outdoor finals at Skegness will run from Saturday, August 20 through to Saturday, August 27.

BLACKSTONES have retained the Dan Duffy Trophy, the Northants Bowling Federation's county club championship.

They defeated Parkway 86-65 in the four-rink competition final played at the Langtoft Pearl club to qualify for next year's Durham Centenary Trophy, the EBF national club championship.

Rink honours were shared at two apiece, but whereas the Parkway successes were by just a single shot achieved late on, Blackstones were comfortable winners on the other two rinks.

Adam Warrington led his rink to a 28-11 defeat of Ean Morton, while Stephen Harris defeated Simon Law's trio 20-14.

Tristan Morton and Stuart Popple claimed single shot victories over Martyn Dolby and John Earl respectively.

RESULT

BLACKSTONES bt PARKWAY 86-65 (Blackstones rinks first):

Wayne Morris, Dusty Miller, Martyn Dolby 14, Trevor Collins, Tony Scarr, Tristan Morton 15.

Malc Smith, Mark Pye, John Earl 24, Brian Martin, James Harford, Stuart Popple 25.

Rita Downs, Darren Middleton, Adam Warrington 28, Sophie Morton, Mike Robertson, Ean Morton 11.

Martin Stokes, Sam Downs, Stephen Harris 20, Paul Dalliday, Michelle Coleman, Simon Law 14.

Blackstones – winners of the Dan Duffy Trophy.

Parkway – beaten finalists in the Dan Duffy Trophy.

MARTYN Dolby (Blackstones) will be chasing three national titles at the English Bowling Federation championships at Skegness next month (Aug 21-28).

On a sizzling hot day at the City of Peterborough club, he won the county mixed pairs with Jane Needham and both the triples with Adam Warrington and John Earl, but missed out on a fourth when beaten in the veterans singles by Peter Cox (Langtoft Pearl), whose wife Angela won the women's secretaries singles.

Yaxley's Robert Heath also reached four finals, but had to be content with both the men's pairs titles with Tony Belson.

Ketton pair Chris Ford and Shirley Suffling both won two out of three finals, Ford combining with husband Dick to win the senior mixed pairs, while Suffling collected the two-bowl singles before they joined forces to win the senior pairs.

Also doubling up on the day were Parkway pair Sophie Morton and James Harford, the former winning the pairs with Merisha McKernan and the four-bowl singles at the expense of Helen Holroyd (Stamford), while Harford claimed the Champion of Champions prize before skipping Paul Dalliday and Michelle Coleman to the mixed triples.

While Blackstones won both the men's triples, the Ketton club lost in both the women's equivalent, the two-bowl to Conservative's Linda Toms, Tina Tinklin and Liz Hext and the three-bowl to Stamford's Helen Holroyd, Linda Starbuck and Moira Holroyd, who replaced Ann Holmes from the trio that won it in 2019.

It was compensation for Tinklin and Hext, who had earlier lost in the pairs, while luckless duo Kevin Vinter (Stamford) and Carol Grief (Crowland) lost two finals apiece.

Wayne Morris (Blackstones) qualified for the first time by defeating team-mate Adam Warrington in the four-bowl singles, while Roger Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) won the two-bowl title against Malcolm Mann (Empingham), who won two county titles when the event was last held in 2019.

FINAL RESULTS

MEN

2b singles: Roger Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) bt Malcolm Mann (Empingham) 21-12.

4b singles: Wayne Morris (Blackstones) bt Adam Warrington (Blackstones) 21-12.

Veterans singles: Peter Cox (Langtoft Pearl) bt Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) 21-18.

Champion of Champions: James Harford (Parkway) bt Kevin Vinter (Stamford) 21-10.

Secretaries singles: Melvyn Beck (Whittlesey Manor) bt Robert Heath (Yaxley) 21-19.

Pairs: Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley) bt Martin Bailey & Kevin Vinter (Stamford) 20-14.

Senior pairs: Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley) bt Dave Corney & Roger Martin (Whittlesey Manor) 23-12.

2b triples: Martyn Dolby, John Earl, Adam Warrington (Blackstones) bt Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson (Yaxley) 20-17.

3b triples: Martyn Dolby, John Earl, Adam Warington (Blackstones) bt Brian Martin, Mike Robertson, Trevor Collins (Parkway) 15-13.

WOMEN

2b singles: Shirley Suffling (Ketton) bt Emma Providence (Market Deeping) 21-11.

4b singles: Sophie Morton (Parkway) bt Helen Holroyd (Stamford) 21-14.

Senior singles: Wendy Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) bt Joan Robinson (Yaxley) 21-15.

Champion of Champions: Myra Landsburgh (City of Peterborough) bt Pam Owen (Deeping) 21-12.

Secretaries singles: Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl) bt Carol Grief (Crowland) 21-16.

Pairs: Sophie Morton & Merisha McKernan (Parkway) bt Tina Tinklin & Liz Hext (Conservative) 15-14.

Senior pairs: Shirley Suffling & Chris Ford (Ketton) bt Viena Slater & Carol Grief (Crowland) 19-9.

2b triples: Linda Toms, Tina Tinklin, Liz Hext (Conservative) bt Carol Warters, Shirlehy Suffling, Chris Ford (Ketton) 19-14.

3b triples: Linda Starbuck, Moira & Helen Holroyd (Stamford) bt Helen Tilley, Val Du'Kett, Elaine Upson (Ketton) 17-13.

MIXED

Pairs: Jane Needham & Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) bt Chrissie Baker & Paul Bailey (Stamford) 18-6.

Senior pairs: Chris & Dick Ford (Ketton) bt Ann & Malcolm Cullingworth (Langtoft Pearl) 25-15.

Triples: Paul Dalliday, Michelle Coleman, James Harford (Parkway) bt Roger Stevens, Michelle Smith, Graham Agger (Whittlesey Manor) 27-17.

* Both the Under 25 singles finals were uncontested, so Stephen and Louise Harris (Blackstones)  automatically go through to the national finals, and they will also team up in the Under 25 open pairs.

THE Northants Bowling Federation and Northants Women's Bowling Federation county finals take place at the City of Peterborough club on Sunday (July 18th) starting at 10.00am.

Two players – Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) and Robert Heath (Yaxley) – will play in all sessions as a result of qualifying in four events, while Tony Belson (Yaxley), Adam Warrington (Blackstones), Chris Ford (Ketton) and Shirley Suffling (Ketton) chase a hat-trick of titles.

Remember it's whites with outdoor club shirts  and players with both indoor and outdoor trophies should return them as soon as possible.

A reminder to those who qualify for the national finals at Skegness that the championships will be starting on the Monday afternoon (August 23rd) and not the usual Tuesday morning.

Refreshments and bar facilities will be available all day.

SUNDAY'S TIMETABLE

10.00am

Men's veterans singles: Peter Cox (Langtoft Pearl) v Martyn Dolby (Blackstones).

Men's Champion of Champions singles: James Harford (Parkway) v Kevin Vinter (Stamford).

Men's four-bowl singles: Wayne Morris (Blackstones) v Adam Warrington (Blackstones).

Men's secretary singles: Melvyn Beck (Whittlesey Manor) v Robert Heath (Yaxley).

Women's 2b singles: Emma Providence (Market Deeping) v Shirley Suffling (Ketton).

Women's Champion of Champions singles: Pam Owen (Deeping) v Myra Landsburgh (City of Peterborough).

12.00 noon

Women's secretary singles: Carol Grief (Crowland) v Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl).

Men's 2b singles: Malcolm Mann (Empingham) v Roger Stevens (Whittlesey Manor).

Men's senior pairs: Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley) v Dave Corney & Roger Martin (Whittlesey Manor).

Mixed pairs: C.Baker & Paul Bailey (Stamford) v Jane Needham & Martyn Dolby (Blackstones).

Women's pairs: Sophie Morton & Merisha McKernan (Parkway) v Tina Tinklin & Liz Hext (Conservative).

Senior mixed pairs: Chris & Dick Ford (Ketton) v Ann & Malcolm Cullingworth (Langtoft Pearl).

2.00pm

Women's senior singles: Wendy Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) v Joan Robinson (Yaxley).

Women's 4b singles: Sophie Morton (Parkway) v Helen Holroyd (Stamford).

Women's senior pairs: Viena Slater & Carol Grief (Crowland) v Shirley Suffling & Chris Ford (Ketton).

Men's 3b triples: Brian Martin, Trevor Collins, Mike Robertson (Parkway) v Adam Warrington, John Earl, Marrtyn Dolby (Blackstones).

Men's pairs: Martin Bailey & Kevin Vinter (Stamford) v Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley).

4.00pm

Men's 2b triples: Adam Warrington, John Earl, Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) v Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson (Yaxley).

Mixed triples: Roger Stevens, Michelle Smith, Graham Agger (Whittlesey Manor) v Paul Dalliday, Michelle Coleman, James Harford (Parkway).

Women's 2b triples: Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford (Ketton) v Linda Toms, Tina Tinklin, Liz Hext (Conservative).

Women's 3b triples: Helen Tilley, Val Du'Kett, Elizabeth Upson (Ketton) v Linda Starbuck, Moira & Helen Holroyd (Stamford).

THE Northants Bowling Federation and Northants Women's Bowling Federation joint annual presentation luncheon takes place at the Orton Hall Hotel on Sunday, September 19th (12.noon for 12.30pm).

The three-course meal, plus tea or coffee, costs £25.00 per head and the dinner ticket forms will be available at county finals day or from your clubs. Alternatively you can book places direct to the respective county secretaries, Terri Handley, 6 Caesar Close, Baston, Peterborough PE6 9PN (email: terri.handley@yahoo.co.uk) or Melvyn Beck, 11 Davie Lane, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1YZ (Email: melvynbeck@btinternet.com.

Simply enclose meal choices from the menu below and make cheques  payable to Northants Bowling Federation.

The luncheon will feature the presentation of trophies from the current outdoor season and last year's indoor finals.

MENU

Starters

Cream of vegetable soup

Torched tomato and buffalo mozzeralla salad with basil oil

Pressed ham hock, mustard and tarragon terrine, pickled vegetables, piccalilli puree, crisp bread

Duo of melon, kumquat syrup, pomegranates, micro mint

Goats cheese and red onion tart, rocket, balsamic dressing

Main course

Supreme of chicken, dauphinoise potatoes, saute spinach, thyme roasted carrot

Herb crusted cod loin, crushed potato cake, roasted cherry tomatoes. green beans sauce vierge

Pressed pork belly, braised barley, saute cabbage, apple & sage puree, cider jus

Slow cooked blade of beef, creamy mash, swede puree, braised onions, beef reduction

Potato gnocchi, mushroom, spinach cream sauce, topped with soybeans

Dessert

Creme brulee, seasonal berries compote, oat texture

Classic sticky toffee pudding, butterscotch sauce, honeycomb

Set lemon posset, lemon cream, raspberry sorbet, raspberry crumb

Warm treacle tart, clotted cream biscuit crumb

Chocolate, salted caramel tart, coconut cream

Tea & Coffee

£25 per head

NORTHANTS Bowling Federation have decided on their venues for their two knockout cups finals this season.

The Dan Duffy Trophy, the club championship, will be hosted by Langtoft Pearl, who successfully staged the recent Newton Cup tie between Northants and Hunts.

It will be held on Thursday, July 22nd at 6.30pm and will feature holders Blackstones and Parkway in a repeat of the previous final in 2019.

The Adams Cup decider, being held a week later on Thursday, July 29th, will take place at the Yaxley club, again at 6.30pm, with holders Peterborough & District facing Parkway.

AFTER waiting two years to resume county team action, both Northants Bowling Federation teams' return in the English Bowling Federation's Adams and Newton knockout competitions was all too brief on Saturday.

Both were beaten by local rivals Hunts, the Adams team, under new captain Roger Martin, suffered a 195-145 defeat at St Ives, while the Newton squad, with Dick Noble at the helm for the first time, went down 177-154 on the superb Langtoft Pearl green.

The Adams team managed just one rink win, courtesy of Graham Agger, Adam Warrington and Martyn Dolby, but there were heavy losses sustained by the rinks of John Earl, Peter Brown and Roger Martin. Martin Welsford's rink lost by one and Paul Bailey's by seven.

Northants were always on the back foot in the Newton, with Hunts racing out of the blocks, but they did rally in the second half to reduce the final deficit to 23 shots, having been forty plus shots adrift for a fair portion of the match.

The rink of Alan Keen-Robertson, Phil Afford and Tom Newman came from 20-5 down after 13 ends to win 36-25, including a maximum six on the last end, while on an adjoining rink, Dave Corney, Mick Greaves and Alec Emery turned a 13-3 deficit into a 32-24 victory.

The rinks of Zack Brown and John Holroyd lost by four and three shots respectively, Kevin Vinter's by 12, but Sam Downs, who moved to lead after just a few ends, suffered a 42-19 defeat.

RESULTS

ADAMS TROPHY

Northants lost 195-145 to Hunts (Northants rinks only):

Graham Agger, Adam Warrington, Martyn Dolby won 31-22; Nick Wilkie, Ally McNaughton, Martin Welsford lost 27-26; Jeff Clipston, Michael Humphries, John Earl lost 39-19; Roger Stevens, Mick Linnell, Peter Brown lost 40-25; Bob Warters, Tony Scarr, Roger Martin lost 37-21; Richard Allam, Dusty Miller, Paul Bailey lost 30-23.

NEWTON TROPHY

Northants lost 177-154 to Hunts (Northants rinks only):

Alan Keen-Robertson, Phil Afford, Tom Newman won 36-25; Dave Corney, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery won 32-24; Darren Middleton, Brian Swann, Sam Downs lost 42-19; Jim Ruddy, Barry Sharman, Kevin Vinter lost 31-19; Andrew Grief, Peter Jessop, Zack Brown lost 25-21; Malcolm Mann, Dick Ford, John Holroyd lost 30-27.

WITH no women's county team championships again this year, Northants ladies held a get-together recently at the City of Peterborough club, with 17 players supporting county president Viv Hempsell. In attendance were Kathy Browning, Katy Heath, Gill King, Ann Cooper, Pearl O'Brien, Va; Du'Kett, Terri Handley, Norma Squires, Carol Grief, Viena Slater, Chris Ford, Shirley Suffling, Gill Day, Linda Toms, Myra Landsburgh, Marlene Osbourne, Wendy Humphreys.

With no women’s county team championships this year, Northants women held a get-together recently at the City of Peterborough club.

BLACKSTONES' hopes of reaching the final stages of the English Bowling Federation's club championship were dashed in the southern area semi-final by Suffolk visitors Thurlton.

Having beaten Acle (Norfolk) 98-81 in the first round, Blackstones, winners of the Northants county club championship for the Dan Duffy Trophy back in 2019, lost 97-87 to Thurlton, who now face Radwinter (North Essex) in the area final.

THE Northants men's county teams return to action this Saturday following a two-year wait for new team captains Roger Martin (Adams) and Dick Noble (Newton) to select their first squads.

They are both in action against near neighbours Hunts in the truncated Adams and Newton competitions which are taking the form of a straight knockout tournament this year.

The Adams team are in action at St Ives, while the Newton line-up host their Hunts counterparts at Langtoft Pearl, this match having been switched from Whittlesey Manor.

The winners will face Norfolk or Suffolk in the southern area final for a place in the national final against the northern champions at Skegness on Saturday, August 21.

ADAMS TEAM

Bob Warters (Ketton), Tonhy Scarr (Parkway), Roger Martin (Whittlesey Manor); Jeff Clipston (Peterborough & District), Michael Humphreys (Whittlesey Manor), John Earl (Blackstones); Graham Agger (Whittlesey Manor), Adam Warrington, Martyn Dolby (both Blackstones); Richard Allam (Stamford), Dusty Miller (Blackstones), Paul Bailey (Stamford); Roger Stevens, Mick Linnell, Peter Brown (all Whittlesey Manor); Nick Wilkie (Empingham), Ally McNaughton (Wittering), Martin Welsford (Whittlesey Manor).

NEWTON TEAM

Malcolm Mann (Empingham), Dick Ford (Ketton), John Holroyd (Stamford); Alan Keen-Robertson, Phil Afford (both West Ward), Tom Newman (Whittlesey Manor); Dave Corney (Whittlesey Manor), Mick Greaves (Peterborough & District), Alec Emery (Parkway); Andrew Grief (Crowland), Peter Jessop (West Ward), Kevin Vinter (Stamford); Jim Ruddy (Parkway), Bary Sharman, Zack Brown (both Whittlesey Manor); Darren Middleton (Blackstones), Brian Swann (West Ward), Sam Downs (Blackstones).