NORTHANTS A maintained their push for southern section honours in the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy with a 139-51 demolition of North Essex at Stamford, but the B team were unable to do them a favour as they were crushed 129-60 by title chasing Hunts at Peterborough.

Maximum points for Northants A means they now top the table just one point from Hunts with both having one fixture remaining, but Norfolk, who trail Northants by ten points have two games to play, including a crucial one against Northants at Stamford on Sunday, February 22.

By then Northants will know what they have to do to qualify for the national final as Hunts play their last game at home to North Essex this coming Sunday (February 15).

It was all plain sailing for Northants A with all their four rinks cruising to victory with Peter Brown’s rink leading the shots spree with a 41-20 win, while the other three rinks all topped thirty shots.

Northants A were hoping their B team might take some points off Hunts, but as at Stamford it was pretty much one way traffic, although the rink of team captain Dudley Smith did lead 17-15 at one stage before falling away over the last few ends to lose 28-21.

RESULTS

NORTHANTS A 139 (14), NORTH ESSEX 51 (0) – (Northants rinks only):

Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law won 31-11; Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington won 33-16; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger won 33-14; Chris Ballard, Brian Martin, Peter Brown won 41-10.

NORTHANTS B 60 (0), HUNTS 129 (14) – (Northants rinks only):

Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong, Roger Martin lost 11-31; Peter Smith, Neil Wright, Ben Wilson lost 10-38; John Holroyd, Andy Cox, Mike Anderson lost 18-32; Tien Ngo, Phil Jones, Dudley Smith lost 21-28.

NORTHANTS A have suffered a setback in their quest to reach the final of the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy.

Seeking a third win in as many games in the southern section, they were edged out by just three shots (90-93) away to defending champions Hunts and it is all building up to a grandstand finish in the title race.

Apart from the opening end of the match when Northants scored on all four rinks, Hunts were always in front although the margin was never more than 15 shots.

Northants gradually eased their way back into contention and were only two shots down playing the last end, but Hunts hung on to take ten of the 14 points on offer.

Rinks were shared at two apiece with Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris and Adam Warrington winning 26-17, while Chris Ballard, Brian Martin and Peter Brown came from some distance back to win 26-22.

Northants A will be unchanged for the home clash with North Essex at Stamford on Sunday (February 8) at 10.00am, and they will be hoping their B team can take some points off Hunts who they meet at Peterborough at the same time in their final fixture.

Mike Anderson returns for the unavailable Roger Martin which is the only change in the B team beaten at North Essex in their last match.

Northants B: Tien Ngo, Phil Jones, Dudley Smith; John Holroyd, Andy Cox, Ben Wilson; Peter Smith, Gareth Dickenson, Neil Wright; Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong, Mike Anderson.

RESULT

NORTHANTS A 90 (4), HUNTS 93 (10) – (Northants rinks only):

Chris Ballard, Brian Martin, Peter Brown won 26-22; Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington won 26-17; Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law lost 22-24; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger lost 16-30.

NORTHANTS B are still seeking their first win of the season in the Derbyshire Trophy following their 104-90 defeat away to North Essex.

They returned home with two points courtesy of the rink of Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong and Roger Martin, the other three rinks suffering losses in single figures – nine, nine and two.

Northants B end their campaign at home to Hunts at Peterborough on February 8.

RESULT

NORTHANTS B 90 (2), NORTH ESSEX 104 (12) – (Northants B rinks only):

Gareth Dickenson, Andy Cox, Ben Wilson lost 20-29; Tien Ngo, Phil Jones (debut), Dudley Smith lost 18-27; Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong, Roger Martin won 34-26; Peter Smith, John Holroyd, Neil Wright lost 18-22.

NORTHANTS A resume their Derbyshire Trophy campaign on Sunday, February 1st away to Hunts.

Simon Law’s team will be aiming to make it three wins out of three in the southern section of the English Bowling Federation’s county indoor championship and maintain their bid to qualify for the national final at Lincoln at the end of April.

After this fixture, Northants end their programme with home matches against North Essex and Norfolk at Stamford.

Following their dramatic win over North Cambs before Christmas, Law has announced an unchanged team.

Northants A: Chris Ballard, Brian Martin, Peter Brown; Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger; Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington.

FOLLOWING an impressive draw away to Norfolk in the Derbyshire Trophy, Northants B were brought down to earth with a bump when they failed to register a point against North Cambs in a crushing 141-51 defeat at Peterborough.

They will be hoping for better fortune next Sunday (January 18th) when they travel to North Essex.

Roger Strong and Gareth Dickenson come into the team to replace Mike Anderson and Mick Porter

Northants B : Tien Ngo, Adam Emery, Dudley Smith; Gareth Dickenson, Andy Cox, Ben Wilson; Peter Smith, John Holroyd, Neil Wright; Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong, Roger Martin.

RESULT

NORTHANTS B 51 (0), NORTH CAMBS 141 (14) – (Northants rinks only):

Peter Smith, Neil Wright, Mike Anderson lost 17-28; Andy Cox, Mick Porter, John Holroyd lost 8-36; Tien Ngo, Dudley Smith, Ben Wilson lost 15-33; Ally McNaughton, Adam Emery, Roger Martin lost 11-44.

NORTHANTS B begin the New Year with a Derbyshire Trophy home match against North Cambs at Peterborough on Sunday, January 11th.

Fresh from an excellent draw away to Norfolk, Northants are forced to make two changes with Roger Martin and Mick Porter returning for Malcolm Mitchell and Kevin Vinter.

Northants B: Tien Ngo, Dudley Smith, Ben Wilson; Peter Smith, Neil Wright, Mike Anderson; Andy Cox, Mick Porter, John Holroyd; Ally McNaughton, Adam Emery, Roger Martin.

SAD to report the passing of Richard Montgomery, a long time supporter of the Federation from a teenager.

He was NBF county president in 2006 and 2007 and then went on to become EBF national president in 2010 – one of only six NBF members to become national president.

Bowling wise on an individual front, he won the EBF national indoor pairs title with Martyn Dolby in 2009.

He was a member of the Langtoft club towards the end of his career, but had not been seen on the green for the past few years.

He was old school and determined to uphold the traditions of bowls, from his parents’ time in the sport, especially the dress code.

The funeral service will take place at the Peterborough Crematorium on Friday, January 30th at 11.00am.

NORTHANTS B produced an outstanding Derbyshire Trophy result away to Norfolk at Norwich which in turn could assist their own A team’s chances of winning the southern section.

Dudley Smith’s team shared the 14 points on offer in an 89-89 draw against a Norfolk side that had defeated defending champions Hunts 11-3 in their opening fixture.

The rink of Tien Ngo, Dudley Smith and debutant Ben Wilson led the way with a 31-19 victory, while John Holroyd, Andy Cox and Kevin Vinter took their rink honours 25-16.

Their next match is at home to North Cambs at Peterborough on Sunday, January 11, while the A team, who have won two out of two, conclude their programme in February with an away match at Hunts and then home games against Norfolk and North Essex.

RESULT

NORTHANTS B 89 (7), NORFOLK 89 (7) – (Northants rinks only):

Tien Ngo, Dudley Smith, Ben Wilson won 31-19; John Holroyd, Andy Cox, Kevin Vinter won 25-16; Malcolm Mitchell, Ally McNaughton, Mike Anderson lost 21-22; Peter Smith, Neil Wright, Adam Emery lost 12-32.

NORTHANTS A made it two wins out of two in their quest to regain the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy with a dramatic and exciting 100-92 (10-4) win away to North Cambs at March.

The situation appeared bleak when the hosts stormed into a substantial early lead, but Northants showed dogged determination and resilience to gradually erode the deficit before edging in front late on to secure the bulk of the points.

The rink of Chris Ballard, Brian Martin and Peter Brown were the mainstays of the fightback with a 32-18 victory, while the rink of Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday and Simon Law edged home 26-24 after a topsy-turvy struggle.

While the rinks of Adam Warrington (Michael Humphreys and Wayne Morris) and Graham Agger (Martyn Dolby and Mick Linnell) were beaten 17-23 and 25-27 respectively – the latter were 4-18 down – they produced fighting performances to come back from substantial early deficits to enable Northants to claim the overall spoils at the expense of a strong North Cambs line-up.

Northants are not in action again until February 1st when they visit Hunts before rounding off the campaign with home matches against Norfolk and North Essex.

RESULT

NORTHANTS 100 (10), NORTH CAMBS 92 (4) – (Northants rinks only):

Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington lost 17-23; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger lost 25-27; Chris Ballard, Brian Martin, Peter Brown won 32-18; Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law won 26-24.

SAD to report the passing of Yaxley and county stalwart Gill King following a recent heart operation.

She had been a longstanding and much valued member of the Yaxley club and held the position of treasurer for ten years.

She showed the heights of her bowling prowess when she teamed up with Les Sharp to win the EBF senior mixed pairs title at Skegness in 2019.

She also represented Hunts in the triples finals at Leamington and she played there again this year in the senior fours.

Her quiet but determined presence on and off the green will be truly missed.

A funeral service will be held at St Magdalene Church, Stilton on Thursday, December 4th at 2.30pm followed by a private family cremation.

BELOW: Gill pictured with Les Sharp after their EBF senior mixed pairs triumph at Skegness.