Roll up now for bowls week at Potters!

BOOKINGS are now being taken for the English Bowling Federation annual Bowls Week being held at Potters Leisure from February 25th to March 1st next year.

Both the Northants Bowling Federation and Northants Women’s Bowling Federation benefit from the commission on bookings – this year they shared £350.
Prices start from £289 for four nights for a standard bungalow, and £363 for those who want to arrive on the Sunday.

The price includes full board; top class entertainment each night; a full range of sporting and leisure facilities and activities and four bowls matches guaranteed in a mixed fours format – any combination providing each rink contains at least one woman and one man.

The NBF co-ordinator for the week is Dick Ford, who can be contacted on 01780 590786 or email: ford_richard4@sky.com.
A £40 deposit is required for each booking, so get in early to avoid disappointment.

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Women to start county season against Hunts


NWBF bowlers who attended a pre-season get-together at City of Peterborough.(Picture by Malcolm Squires)

NORTHANTS Women’s Bowling Federation will open their inter-county programmes for their Donald Steward Trophy and Jubilee Silver vase teams with home matches against local rivals Hunts on May 30.

The senior Donald Steward team will play at Peterborough & District BC at Burton Street, with the Vase at City of Peterborough BC where the women held a pre-season gathering this week.

The Donald Steward team features a new combination with Ketton’s Elizabeth Wallace, who won both indoor singles titles in March, joining a rink with clubmates Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford. There is also a welcome return for Linda Darani (City of Peterborough).

The Vase team sees a debut for 22-year-old prospect Helen Holroyd (Blackstones), who joins veterans Doris Flowers and Pearl O’Brien at lead.

Donald Steward Team: M. Osbourne, K. Browning, G. King (all Yaxley); E. Wallace, S. Suffling, C. Ford (all Ketton); S. Moir, (Langtoft), V. Hatch (West Ward), J. Masters (Parkway); C. Grief (Crowland), L Hext, S. Craig (both Conservative); F Richardson, N. Squires, L. Darani (all City of Peterborough) Reserves M. Andrews (Barnack), W. Harrold.
Captain J. Robinson.

Silver Jubilee Vase team: P. Collicott (Deeping Assn), J. Needham, H. Bass (both Yaxley); H. Holroyd (Blackstones) , D. Flowers (Yaxley), P. O’Brien (Deeping Assn); V. Slater (Crowland), J. Duffy (Whittlesey Manor), J. Phillips (City of Peterborough);
M. Holden (Market Deeping), C. Warters (Ketton), W. Humphreys (CoP); T. Handley (Deeping Assn), V. Du’kett (Ketton), J. Padley (Yaxley); Reserves P. Jones (Vanguard) J. Kendall (Co P).Captain A. Cooper,

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County names its Adams and Newton squads

Under new captain Jonathan Earl, Forterra-sponsored Northants Bowling Federation kick off their Adams Trophy campaign away to North Cambs at Wisbech on May 26. They will play their home matches this year at Earl’s home club Blackstones in Lincoln Road, Stamford.

Indeed half the 18-man squad for the opening fixture features players from Blackstones, including Roger Martin and Mick Humphreys, who have joined the club from City of Peterborough. Also included are Paul Buckley (Blackstones), Jack Corney and Mick Duell (both Whittlesey Manor) all moving up from the Newton side and Wayne Morris (Blackstones).

Adams squad ( v North Cambs) : Jon Earl (captain), Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington (all Blackstones) Martin Welsford, Lee Welsford, Graham Agger, Steve Roden (all Whittlesey Manor), Neil Wright (Parkway), Wayne Morris (Blackstones), Peter Brown, (Whittlesey Manor) Roger Martin (Blackstones) Mick Duell (Whittlesey Manor), Stephen Harris, Paul Buckley (both Blackstones), John Holroyd (Stamford Town), Mick Humphreys, Paul Bailey (both Blackstones), Jack Corney (Whittlesey Manor).

Northants’ Newton Trophy captain Cliff Watson, meanwhile, has named a re-shuffled team to play Suffolk at Halesworth on June 4 in defence of their EBF southern area title.

It features newcomer Richard Allam (Stamford Town) and former Adams Trophy stalwarts Sean Fenlan and Dick Noble (West Ward) and Fred Richardson (Whittlesey Manor).

Northants were runners-up to Humberside at Skegness in 2017.

Northants team (v Suffolk): Fred Addy (Parkway), Tony Kemp (Conservative), Barry Lawrence (Whittlesey Manor), Peter Cox(Langtoft), Bob Warters (Ketton), Peter Jessop (West Ward), Martin Stokes (Blackstones), Richard Allam (Stamford Town), Brian Bassam (Peterborough & District); Sean Fenlon, Jim Ruddy (both West Ward), Mick Greaves (P&D); Les Sharp (Yaxley), Malcolm Squires (City of Peterborough), Dick Noble (West Ward); Jeff Clipston ( West Ward), Roger Stevens, Fred Richardson (both Whittlesey Manor).

Home matches will be played at City of Peterborough BC

Season’s fixtures

Adams Trophy: May 26 – v North Cambs at BMC, Wisbech; June 2 – v Suffolk at Kessingland ; June 9 – v Lincs at Blackstones; June 23 – v Hunts at Sawtry; June 30 – v North Essex at Blackstones; July 7 – v Norfolk at Blackstones.

Newton Trophy: June 2 – v Suffolk at Halesworth Angel BC; June 9 – v Lincs at City of Peterborough; June 23 v Hunts at Holywell-cum- Needingworth BC; July 7 – v Norfolk at City of Peterborough.

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President’s team win Dickenson Shield

Mary Dickenson presents the Shield to Tony Mace

IN ITS annual match against Whittlesey Manor for the John Dickenson Shield, a Northants Federation President’s team just edged out their hosts by six shots.

The 99-105 scoreline over 21 ends and six rinks of 2-bowl triples reflected the closeness of a match played in warm sunshine.

Steve Roden, Pete Brown and his son Zac took the individual honours for the home team 23-13, while with an identical score, the veteran trio of Les Sharp, Northants President Tony Mace and Malcolm Squires were the president’s top scorers.

The trophy was presented by Mr Dickenson’s widow Mary.

Scores( Northants names first): J Clipston, J Ruddy, M Greaves beat J Corney, B Stack, M Duell 22-15; F Addy, T Kemp, D Noble lost to P Smith, A Overton, M Beck 15-18; S Harris, M Humphreys, J Earl beat P Burbridge, R Burbridge, G Agger 15-12; L Sharp, T Mace, M Squires beat S Keen, T Reed, S Woodcock 23-13; P Cox, B Warters, C Watson lost to R Stevens, C Truman, F Richardson 16-18; M Stokes, R Allam, B Bassam lost to S Roden, Z Brown, P Brown 13-23.

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Monty joins the county 200 club

LANGTOFT bowler Richard Montgomery has received a commemorative tie to mark his 200 appearances for the Northants Bowling Federation. It is also recognition for his services to the sport for more than five decades.

He received the award from national president Trevor Harris after helping his county executive retain the Eversley Trophy at the EBF championships in Newark.

“It is a great honour, ” said Richard who fondly recalled his first appearance in 1966 at the Brotherhoods green in Peterborough against Notts. “It rained the whole game and I didn’t have any waterproofs.”

Inspired and influenced by his bowling parents Ken and Marjorie, he won the Northants junior title in 1968 and was runner-up in the nationals at Skegness that year.

Richard was also a member of the Northants side that won the indoor inter-county Derbyshire Trophy in 2006 and the Eversley Trophy on three occasions.

In more than 50 years associated with the county he won the national indoor pairs (with Martyn Dolby) in 2010 – the year he was national president – was county president (2006-7), competition secretary and Derbyshire Trophy captain.

FOOTNOTE: ‘Monty’ and others of his generation, could have made even more appearances but until more recent years, the records show only the skips of the rinks who represented the county! BW

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Northants executive retain Eversley Trophy


Pictured from the left: Les Sharp, Malcolm Squires, President Tony Mace, Neil Wright, Richard Montgomery, Graham Agger and Cliff Watson.

NORTHANTS retained the Eversley Trophy – an inter-county competition at Newark for county executives, beating Suffolk on the last end of their four-match programme.

Following wins over Durham – who included several Derbyshire Trophy finalists – North Cambs and Hunts, Northants faced Suffolk needing a maximum six points – two for each winning rink and two for the overall.

Malcolm Squires, Richard Montgomery and Neil Wright won by three shots on their rink – playing a two-bowl triples format – leaving treasurer Les Sharp, fixture secretary Graham Agger and past president Cliff Watson needing victory to clinch the title for a second successive year.

And they duly did it on the last end after the rinks had been tied at 13-13. BW

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Day-by-day at Fed finals in Newark

Martyn Dolby and Paul Flatters flanked by Lincs and Northants presidents Mick Carr and Tony Mace.

Elizabeth Wallace with semi-final opponent Jenny Humphries

SADLY no honours for Northants bowlers at the finals of the EBF and EWBF championship in Newark. Though we had a handful of early round winners, none were able to grab a title on a slow surface unfamiliar to most of our representatives.

MONDAY

The Northants Women’s Bowling Federation executive team put up a gallant fight in the Harry Carver Trophy – winning three of their four matches and losing the other by just one shot.

Suffolk won the event on a shots countback with Northants tied in third place.

Northants pictured with President Jessica Phillips were represented by (from left to right): Valerie Du’Kett,Shirley Suffling, Christine Ford, Shirley Suffling, Norma Squires, Glenys Edwards and Joan Robinson.

TUESDAY

It was a day of mixed fortunes for local bowlers competing in the first day of English Bowling Federation individual championships at Newark on Tuesday, with the young trio from the Blackstones club – Helen Holroyd, Louise Harris and Katie Bailey (pictured above) – giving Northants a flying start.

Against Suffolk they won 22-13 and in the second round, raced into an 11-4 lead against the experienced Derbyshire rink led by former international Jean Baker.

However, when the Derbyshire trio saw an opportunity to switch positions, as Federation rules allow, they started to take control and added 16 shots without reply to reach the semi-finals.

In the mixed triples the combination of Adam Warrington and Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) and Christine Ford (Ketton) – pictured above with President Tony Mace – proved too strong for Humberside, running out 24-13 winners. They then lost to Ian Riches’ Durham rink 12-21.


Elsewhere Moira Holroyd (Stamford Town) and Glenys Edwards (Ketton) – pictured with NWBF PRESIDENT Jessica Phillips – lost 21-11 to Durham and the combination of Chris Ballard (Vanguard), Mick Humphreys (City of Peterborough) and John Holroyd ( Stamford Town) found the triples challenge of tournament favourites Simon Leader, and Rob and Ed Elmore (Hunts) too tough, losing 27-8.

Chris Ballard and Mick Humphreys during their defeat by Hunts.
WEDNESDAY

Success came for Northants bowlers in three singles competitions today – thanks to Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton) and Martyn Dolby (Blackstones).

In the first round of the ladies four bowl singles Oakham-based Wallace got off to a nervy start against Derbyshire’s Pauline Marples and trailed 8-0 before eventually winning 21-18.

She meets the winner of Durham and Suffolk at 2.30 pm tomorrow and with a busy schedule also plays in the Senior singles first round at 7.30pm against J Baldwin (Hunts) who also beat Marples.

For Dolby it was the scalp of Danny Cawthorne, the holder of the four-bowl singles from Norfolk, that gave him most satisfaction in a 21-18 victory.

He then faced Steve Weston (Hunts) in the senior singles and strolled through 21-10 and will play B Vincent (Humberside) in the morning.

THURSDAY

Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) will play old foe Paul Flatters from Boston for a place in the semi-final of the English Bowling Federation Over 65 singles at Newark at high noon on Friday.

Dolby, who won four titles in the Northants championships, beat B Vincent (Humberside) 21-5 on Thursday morning. But then he suffered two defeats – in the 4-bowl singles (16-21) against IAn McIntosh (Durham) and partnering Christine Ford (Ketton) in the mixed pairs (7-20) against Chantelle Spencer and Jonathan West (Lincs).

Mick Humphreys and Roger Martin (City of Peterborough), the Northants pairs champions, overcame Hall and Creaser (Humberside) in the first round 17-14 but then faced the formidable Norfolk duo of Ian Wones and Danny Seaborne. They put up a valiant effort but were finally toppled 11-24, having led 8-2 in the early stages.

Ketton’s Elizabeth Wallace has reached the semi-finals of the women’s senior singles with a defeat of Hunts’ J Baldwin and will play at 2.30pm.

Earlier she lost to N Riches (Durham) in the four-bowl singles 9-21.

Stephen Harris lost to Norfolk’s Danny Seaborne 21-9 in the under 25 singles.

FRIDAY

Northants Federation’s participation in the national championships at Newark IBC, ended on Friday afternoon with the exit of both our county’s senior singles title holders Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) and Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton) – but not without a fight!

Against Paul Flatters (Boston) a team-mate in the Lincs IBA County Seniors during the winter months when representing Stamford IBC, Dolby took an early 6-0 lead, before Flatters stretched the jack length, where his bowls performed better to lead 13-9.

Dolby pegged him back with a well executed three count to lead 16-15 but a three by Flatters on the 19th end turned the tables and though Dolby looked to be holding two shots at 17-20, Flatters drew in to reach the final.

For Wallace, to reach the semi-final stage was quite an achievement and at 6-4, shorter jacks looked to be serving her well against Nottinghamshire’s Jenny Humphries before her more experienced opponent used the full length of the rink to take advantage.

A hat-trick of threes in four ends finally put paid to Wallace’s hopes and that of Northants, again failing to reach a national indoor final.

For the finals results visit www.fedbowls.co.uk

(with thanks to Malcolm Squires)

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Newark finals schedule revealed

MOIRA Holroyd (Stamford Town) and Glenys Edwards (Ketton) will kick-off Northants’ participation in the English Bowling Federation’s men’s and women’s championships at Newark competing in the women’s pairs on Tuesday April 24 at 9.30am.

Blackstones’ Martyn Dolby will have a busy week, competing in four events – both men’s singles, the mixed pairs and mixed triples.

MEN
Under 25 singles – Stephen Harris, first round v Norfolk, Thursday, April 26, at 7.30pm
Singles – Martyn Dolby, first round v Norfolk, Wednesday, April 25 at 3.30pm
Senior singles – Martyn Dolby, first round v Hunts, Wednesday, April 25, at 12.30pm.
Pairs – Michael Humphreys & Roger Martin, first round v Humberside, Thursday, April 26, at 9.30am.
Rinks – Michael Humphreys, Chris Ballard, John Holroyd, second round v Hunts, Tuesday, April 24, at 3.30pm.
Mixed pairs – Chris Ford & Martyn Dolby, first round v Lincs, Thursday, April 26, at 12.00 noon
Mixed rinks – Adam Warrington, Chris Ford, Martyn Dolby, first round v Humberside, Tuesday, April 24, at 12.30pm.

LADIES
Singles – Elizabeth Wallace, first round v Derbys, Wednesday, April 25, at 3.30pm.
Senior singles – Elizabeth Wallace, second round v Derbys or Hunts, Thursday, April 26, at 7.30pm.
Pairs – Moira Holroyd & Glenys Edwards, first round v Durham, Tuesday, April 24, at 9.30am.
Rinks – Louise Harris, Helen Holroyd, Katie Bailey, first round v Suffolk, Tuesday, April 24, at 12.30pm.

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Federation rules introduced to Darwin’s Aussie bowlers

Bob and Carol Warters meet the Darwin bowlers.

KETTON Bowls Club – affiliated to the Northants Bowling Federation and its parent body, the EBF – has established a new link with northern Australian bowlers in Darwin who who have become fascinated with the subtle changes of rules the Federation promotes.

On a recent visit, to the remote Northern Territory club, Ketton captain and the NBF’s press officer Bob Warters presented the Darwin Bowls & Social Club’s president Peter de Greenlaw with a framed plaque documenting ‘Federation Rules in a Nutshell’ and how they differ from Aussie laws of the game in at least 14 instances.

Said Bob: “The club’s members were very warm in their welcome and particularly intrigued by the differences in the rules Federation bowlers play to in England. We suggested they might introduce some into a fun tournament.

“They were particularly fascinated by the rule that allows players to change positions in a rink at any time during a match. Like us Brits, the Aussies are also incredibly competitive and they appreciate anything that might give them a tactical advantage.”

But the visit, fixed six months in advance and tied in to Bob’s 70th birthday celebratory cruise he took with his wife Carol from Sydney to Singapore, nearly had to be abandoned. A Category Two cyclone swept through the city only hours before, uprooting hundreds of mature trees and damaging electricity and water connections to thousands of homes in this 130,000 population capital of Northern Territory.

“The devastation was incredible with huge fallen trees blocking roads, crushing parked cars and even damaging the parliament and other government buildings, ” said Bob.

“But bowls goes on! And the club members rallied round and were out at dawn clearing debris from their two 7-rink synthetic surface greens, one of which is covered by £500,000 canopy constructed two years ago to allow bowlers some protection from thunderstorms and high temperatures and humidity which are a feature of the region.”

Bob and Carol, who also serve on the management committee of Stamford IBC, took time adapting to the sweltering 85 degree heat and humidity and the synthetic surface, ironically imported from Lincolnshire.

“It features a grid at both ends enabling upto six different settings for each rink to maintain even wear and tear while offering subtle differences in the way each setting plays, “Bob explained.

“The grids also make it much easier to set the jack and judge distances when measuring, saving valuable time. The pace is similar to Peterborough indoor but with a little extra finish as the bias finally takes effect.”

The pair, who also visited Australia’s most northerly club on Thursday Island, agreed to keep in regular touch with the Darwin club which has over 200 members – many of them ex-pats who have settled from the UK – and promised to extend its own hospitality should any of them be visiting the UK and wish to try Federation bowls under our own unique laws – and somewhat cooler conditions.

The Darwin president Peter de Greenlaw receives the Federation rules document

The impressive Darwin greens, one of which is covered

The club has more than 200 members

Bob tries the Darwin surface – fortunately the dress code is pretty relaxed!

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Dolby cops four titles at Fed finals

Martyn Dolby was in celebratory mood five times over at the weekend after winning four Northants Federation titles just hours after celebrating his 70th birthday on St Patrick’s Day .

The former policeman was a law unto himself on the Peterborough IBC surface and was determined that no one was going to nick any of the quartet of titles -including both singles – for which he had qualified.

In the four-bowl singles he successfully defended his championship against Blackstones clubmate Adam Warrington 21-7 and in the veteran singles regained the trophy he lost last year, with a 21-15 defeat of evergreen Joe Martin.

Dolby also joined up with Christine Ford (Ketton) and Warrington to win the mixed triples against Jenny Harvey, Carol Hunter and Mick Linnell 19-17 and with Ford to claim the mixed pairs 22-6 against Josh Clark and Julie Masters.

Mick Humphreys and Roger Martin (City of Peterborough) who will be joining Blackstones next season accounted for Stephen Harris (Blackstones) and Peter Edwards (Ketton) in the pairs 20-14, with Humphreys also teaming up with Chris Ballard and John Holroyd to take the triples in an 18-16 thriller over Paul Dalliday, James Harford and Simon Law (Parkway).

Harris completed a clean sweep of Stamford-based indoor bowlers with a 21-3 defeat of Clark.

‘Queen’ Elizabeth Wallace, one of the most improved players on the local circuit, crowned a great day for Ketton bowlers, landing both women’s singles – over Joan Robinson (22-20) in the seniors and Helen Holroyd (Stamford Town) 21-16.

Wallace’s clubmate Glenys Edwards combined with Stamford Town’s Holroyd to claim the pairs beating home favourite Harvey and Margaret Linnell 19-15.

It took a dramatic measure to decide the women’s triples 21-20 in favour of Katie Bailey, Louise Harris and Helen Holroyd over Jan Want, Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford. BW

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