DAVE Corney could not have scripted any better his start as captain of the Northants Bowling Federation’s Newton Trophy team.
His team made it two wins out of two with another emphatic victory at Whittlesey Manor as they defeated opening weekend leaders Hunts 171-146 to move to the top of the southern section with 38 points from a possible 44.
Now they face a run-in of three away matches starting with a trip to Grantham on Saturday to face Lincolnshire, but they have given themselves a strong foundation on which to launch a formidable title challenge.
They won on five of the six rinks to collect twenty points, with the trio of Malcolm Mann, Darren Middleton and Ally McNaughton producing a late surge of shots to win 35-25 and top the rink honours. There were also victories for the rinks of Tom Fielding (23-22), Tony Belson (32-28), Kevin Vinter (32-26) and Barry Lawrence (28-20).
Meanwhile the Adams Trophy team were beaten for the second week running, but on this occasion the margin was a frustrating three shots against defending champions Hunts at Parkway.
Rink honours were shared at three apiece, but Hunts claimed the overall spoils with a 165-162 victory.
The Northants rink wins came from Adam Warrington (31-22), who also won against Suffolk on the opening weekend, Paul Bailey (32-30) and James Harford (31-20).
RESULTS
ADAMS TROPHY
Northants 162 (6), Hunts 165 (16) – (Northants rinks only):
Wayne Morris, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington won 31-22; Graham Agger, Ray Keating, Paul Buckley lost 17-30; Roger Stevens, Zack Brown, Paul Bailey won 32-30; Neil Wright, Michael Humphries, John Earl lost 25-35; Stuart Agger, Mick Linnell, Roger Martin lost 26-28; Howard Shipp, Mike Robertson, James Harford won 31-20.
NEWTON TROPHY
Northants 171 (20), Hunts 146 (2) – (Northants rinks only):
Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery lost 21-25; Gareth Dickenson, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding won 23-22; Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson won 32-28; Peter Cox, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter won 32-26; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence won 28-20; Malcolm Mann, Darren Middleton, Ally McNaughton won 35-25.