THE NWBF Christmas raffle was drawn at the Yaxley club during the bingo night, and the winners were:

£100 – Sheila Harmer (Folksworth); £50 – Elizabeth Hext (Conservative); £25 – Doug Ellis (Deeping BA)

ALTHOUGH sharing the rink spoils at two apiece, Northants B suffered a third straight defeat in the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy when visiting league newcomers North Essex.

There were wins for the rinks of team captain Ray Keating (31-22) and Paul Bailey (31-25), but they were unable to prevent North Essex running out 122-100 winners, as the other two Northants rinks, skipped by Kevin Vinter and Roger Martin, had combined losses of 37 shots

RESULT

NORTHANTS B 100 (4), NORTH ESSEX 122 (10) – (Northants B rinks only):

Ally McNaughton, Owen Aspinall, Ray Keating won 31-22; Martin Bailey, Mick Linnell, Paul Bailey won 31-25; Cliff Watson, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter lost 24-34; Jeff Clipston, Dudley Smith, Roger Martin lost 14-41.

NORTHANTS B returned pointless from their trip to Fakenham to face Norfolk in the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy.

They were beaten 124-61 leaving them with just two points from two matches, although the rink of Tony Barwell, John Holroyd and Kevin Vinter came close to adding to that total as they were beaten on the last end by a single shot.

RESULT

NORTHANTS B 61 (0), NORFOLK 124 (14) – (Northants rinks only):

Cliff Watson, Ray Keating, Mick Linnell lost 10-38; Jeff Clipston, Dudley Smith, Roger Martin lost 12-27; Tony Barwell, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter lost 23-24; Martin Bailey, Ally McNaughton, Paul Bailey lost 16-35.

The B team are on their travels again on Sunday (November 26) when they visit league newcomers North Essex.

Northants B: Jeff Clipston, Dudley Smith, Roger Martin; Cliff Watson, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter; Martin Bailey, Mick Linnell, Paul Bailey; Ally McNaughton, Owen Aspinall, Ray Keating.

Meanwhile, the A team will be hoping to make it three wins out of three when they make the short trip to Hunts on Sunday week (December 3).

Northants A: Wayne Morris, Tom Newman, John Earl; Brian Martin, Michael Jeapes, Simon Law; Stuart Agger, Graham Agger, Peter Brown; Michael Humphreys, Paul Dalliday, Adam Warrington.

DESPITE only winning on one of the four rinks, Northants A still managed to claim the bulk of the points from their Derbyshire Trophy clash against North Cambs at March.

The rink of Michael Humphreys, Paul Dalliday and Adam Warrington were the heroes, winning 29-19, while the combined deficit on the other three rinks was just five shots, leaving Northants home and dry by just four shots – 89-85.

With two wins out of two, Northants A are the early pacesetters in the southern section of the English Bowling Federation’s indoor county championship.

RESULT

NORTHANTS A 89 (8), NORTH CAMBS 85 (6) – (Northants rinks only):

Wayne Morris, Tom Newman, John Earl lost 21-22; Michael Humphreys, Paul Dalliday, Adam Warrington won 29-19; Stuart Agger, Graham Agger, Peter Brown lost 18-22; Ollie Jeapes, Michael Jeapes, Simon Law lost 21-22.

Northants B are back in action on Sunday (November 19) when they visit Norfolk with Dudley Smith the only change from the team beaten by the A side in the opening fixture of the season.

Northants B: Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Ray Keating; Tony Barwell John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter; Cliff Watson, Dudley Smith, Mick Linnell; Martin Bailey, Ally McNaughton, Paul Bailey.

ELIZABETH Hext (Conservative) was installed as the new president of the Northants Women’s Bowling Federation at the recent annual general meeting.

She received the chain of office from outgoing president Shirley Suffling, but no nominations were received for the post of deputy president.

Members were advised of the concerns and difficulties in providing teams for the Donald Steward and Silver Jubilee Vase county championships and it was stressed that the county needed to have a strong pool of players committed to playing inter-county games.

Secretary Terri Handley pointed out that a letter would be going out to all club secretaries and past players towards the end of the year setting out the county’s plans in respect of the two teams.

A proposal had been received to change the fixed county competitions dates to a more flexible ‘play-by’ system, but that was defeated on a show of hands.

Elizabeth Wallace has taken on the role of match secretary which had been vacant last season, while Vivienne Hempsell has replaced Ann Cooper as the Silver Jubilee Vase captain.

Election of officers: President, Elizabeth Hext; secretary, Terri Handley; treasurer, Chris Ford; match secretary, Elizabeth Wallace; competition secretary, Valerie Du’Kett; safeguarding officer, Vivienne Hempsell; Donald Steward captain, Joan Robinson; Silver Jubilee Vase captain, Vivienne Hempsell.

NORTHANTS A earned the bragging rights with an opening match 108-67 (12-2) victory over their B team in the Derbyshire Trophy, the EBF’s indoor inter-county championship, played at Stamford IBC.

The rinks of captain Simon Law, John Earl and Adam Warrington all topped the thirty-shot mark, while the B team’s Kevin Vinter also hit the thirty mark for a consolation two points.

RESULT

NORTHANTS A 108 (12), NORTHANTS B 67 (2) – (Northants A rinks first):

Ollie Jeapes, Michael Jeapes, Simon Law 31, Martin Bailey, Ally McNaughton, Paul Bailey 14; Brian Martin, Tom Newman, John Earl 31, Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Mick Linnell 8; Stuart Agger, Graham Agger, Peter Brown 14, John Holroyd, Ray Keating, Kevin Vinter 31; Michael Humphreys, Paul Dalliday, Adam Warrington 32, Tony Barwell, Cliff Watson, Roger Martin 14.

Northants A will be unchanged for their next match away to North Cambs at March IBC on Sunday, November 12.

THE EBF’s Derbyshire Trophy indoor county championship programme kicks off on Sunday, October 29th, with the county’s A and B teams crossing swords at Stamford.

With southern section champions Lincolnshire having moved into the northern section following the introduction of North Essex to the southern half it should, on paper at least, strengthen the chances of Northants qualifying for the national final, as Lincs have tended to be their main title rivals in recent seasons.

Rest of the fixtures

A team: November 12, away to North Cambs (March IBC); December 3, away to Hunts (Huntingdon IBC); February 11, home to North Essex (Stamford IBC); February 18, home to Norfolk (Stamford IBC).

B team: November 19, away to Norfolk (Gallow IBC, Fakenham); November 26, away to North Essex (Turpins IBC, Saffron Walden); January 7, home to North Cambs (Peterborough & District); February 11, home to Hunts (Peterborough & District).

All matches start at 10.00am, with the exception of the B team’s match at Norfolk which starts at 11.00am.

CONCERNS about the welfare and competitiveness of the NBF county teams, most notably the Adams, were expressed at the NBF annual meeting held at the Parkway club.

It’s been a struggle for a succession of Adams captains in the last two or three years to put together competitive teams, a situation exacerbated by the decision by some experienced players opting to play in the Newton team.

The very future of the Adams team was under threat at the start of this season until Roger Stevens stepped into the breach as a temporary captain, and to underline the selection issues the county finished bottom of the southern section with just one win from five matches, having last year forfeting a match, which was a ‘dead rubber,’ because they could only raise 15 players.

Now Ray Keating, who also captains the B team in the indoor Derbyshire competition, has put his head above the parapet and taken on the challenge of being the Adams captain for next season in the hope of changing the county’s fortunes. Dave Corney continues as the Newton captain.

As county secretary Melvyn Beck said in his report that while the county cannot compete with the likes of Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Norfolk in terms of strength in depth they have in the past punched above their weight and been very competitive, but sadly that is no longer the case.

In a bid to expand the pool of players next season, clubs will be issued with a list of fixtures and asked to submit the names of players who are interested in representing the county, and these players will then be put in the shop window in two early season ‘trial’ matches, one against Whittlesey Manor and the other against Hunts.

The secretary also informed delegates – 13 of the 17 affiliated clubs were represented at the meeting – that the EBF had issued an ultimatum to East Lindsey District Council that unless there was a guarantee about green improvements and security at the Skegness bowls complex by Christmas then next year’s national finals may well be the last at the seaside resort.

He also reported that the county luncheon at the Ellindon Banqueting Suite had been a success with a considerable number of positive comments received about the quality and quantity of the meal. The venue has been provisionally booked for Sunday, September 22nd, next year.

The statement of accounts, presented by new reporting accountant Andy Cox in the absence of treasurer Les Sharp, showed a deficit on the year of £1,274.70, but the county had funds of £7,701.23.

Competition secretary Melvyn Beck said that both the county indoor and outdoor finals had been brought forward for this coming season owing to the EBF bringing forward their deadline for final entries.

The indoor finals are at Stamford on Sunday, February 25th, which may result in some rounds being played before Christmas dependant on the number of entries, while the outdoor finals are at Blackstones on Sunday, July 14th, a week earlier than normal.

Honorariums remain unchanged at £200 received by the secretary, treasurer, match secretary, competition secretary, results secretary and minutes secretary.

All the officers were elected en bloc for all the positions bar results secretary. Ally McNaughton took over last season when Cliff Watson was indisposed, and he has now been officially appointed to that role.

The county has only three management committee members – Ray Keating, Cliff Watson and former secretary Mike Ramsden who returns to the administrative fold – and so president Martyn Dolby asked for clubs to consider putting forward candidates for co-option as it was important to have as many clubs involved as possible to make an input into the running of the county.

Officers elected:

President, Martyn Dolby; Secretary, Melvyn Beck; Treasurer, Les Sharp; Match secretary, Graham Agger; Competition secretary, Melvyn Beck; Results secretary, Ally McNaughton; Minutes’ secretary, Linda Toms; Safeguarding & welfare officer, Peter Brown; Press officer, Melvyn Beck; NDC delegate, Melvyn Beck; Adams captain, Ray Keating; Newton captain, Dave Corney; Derbyshire A captain, Simon Law; Derbyshire B captain, Ray Keating; Management committee, Ray Keating, Cliff Watson, Mike Ramsden; Reporting accountant, Andy Cox.

SAD to report the passing of former NWBA president Joan Hill at the age of 93.

She was county president in 2002 when a member of the Whittlesey Manor club and in her presidential year the county won the EWBF’s Harry Carver Trophy. She was also a regular member of the Donald Steward and Silver Jubilee Vase teams.

There will be a committal at Peterborough Crematorium on Monday, November 6th at 12 noon followed by a service of thanksgiving at Eye Church at 1.00pm.

ALTHOUGH the start of the Derbyshire Trophy campaign is more than a month away, Northants A and B team captains Simon Law and Ray Keating have already named their teams for their meeting at Stamford on Sunday, October 29.

Northants A: Michael Humphreys, Tony Scarr, Adam Warrington; Brian Martin, Tom Newman, John Earl; Paul Dalliday, Michael Jeapes, Simon Law; Stuart Agger, Graham Agger, Peter Brown.

Northants B: Tony Barwell, Cliff Watson, Roger Martin; Jeff Clipston, MIck Greaves, Mick Linnell; John Holroyd, Ray Keating, Kevin Vinter; Martin Bailey, Ally McNaughton, Paul Bailey.