BOTH the Northants A and B teams complete their home programmes in the Derbyshire Trophy on Sunday morning (December 1).

The A team will be bidding to make it three wins out of three in their quest to retain the English Bowling Federation indoor county championship when they face Hunts at Stamford, while the B team will be hoping to assist their A team's cause by taking some points off Lincolnshire at Peterborough & District, both matches starting at 10.00am.

Brian Martin and Bob Warters return for the A team to replace Dusty Miller and Mike Robertson in the rink of Tristan Morton, while Mike Ramsden for the unavailable Les Sharp is the only change in personnel for the B team, but team captain Malcolm Squires will alter the rink formations following their recent defeat by Norfolk.

Northants A: Wayne Aspinall, Roger Martin, James Harford; Paul Dalliday, Michael Humphreys, Simon Law; Richard Allam, Adam Warrington, Martyn Dolby; Brian Martin, Bob Warters, Tristan Morton.

Northants B (not in rink order): John Holroyd, Cliff Watson, Mick Duell, Mike Ramsden, Ray Keating, Mick Linnell, Jeff Clipston, Brian Bassam, Dick Noble, Melvyn Beck, Mick Greaves, Malcolm Squires.

NORTHANTS A continued their bid to retain the Derbyshire Trophy, the English Bowling Federation's indoor county championship, with a maximum 14 points haul against North Cambs at Stamford. to make it two wins out of two.

It was comfortable 118-68 victory in the end, but during the early stages few would have anticipated such a wide margin of success as North Cambs gave the impression they might prove troublesome opponents with early leads on three of the four rinks.

However, once the much-changed Northants team got into their stride there was never any question about the outcome, although a 'full house' was not guaranteed until the last end on the rink of team captain James Harford, playing with debutant Wayne Aspinall and Roger Martin, who secured a treble to claim a 24-21 victory over city-based skip Nigel Eagle.

By this time the other three Northants rinks were home and hosed, with Paul Dalliday, Michael Humphreys and Simon Law leading the way with a 34-15 victory, closely followed by Richard Allam, Adam Warrington and Martyn Dolby with a 32-15 win.

The rink of Dusty Miller, a last minute replacement for Brian Martin, Mike Robertson and Tristan Morton were 28-17 winners, having been 8-1 down at one stage.

RESULT

Northants A 118 (14), North Cambs 68 (0) – (Northants rinks only):

Wayne Aspinall, Roger Martin, James Harford won 24-21; Paul Dalliday, Michael Humphreys, Simon Law won 34-15; Richard Allam, Adam Warrington, Martyn Dolby won 32-15; Dusty Miller, Mike Robertson, Tristan Morton won 28-17.

NORTHANTS A resume their bid to retain the Derbyshire Trophy when they entertain North Cambs at Stamford this Sunday afternoon (November 24th) starting at 2.00pm.

Team captain James Harford has been forced to make three changes from the team that defeated the B team by just eight shots in their opening fixture in the English Bowling Federation's indoor inter-county championship.

Debutant Wayne Aspinall, Mike Robertson and Richard Allam come into the side to replace the unavailable Bob Warters, Trevor Collins and Stephen Harris.

Having dropped four points to their B side, the A team will be keen to claim the maximum 14 points from their clash with North Cambs, who lost their opening fixture to Hunts.

Northants A: Richard Allam, Adam Warrington, Martyn Dolby; Brian Martin, Mike Robertson, Tristan Morton; Paul Dalliday, Michael Humphreys, Simon Law; Wayne Aspinall, Roger Martin, James Harford.

THE English Women's Bowling Federation have agreed in principal to the wearing of shorts in national finals and county association matches.

County delegates attending the joint annual general meeting of the English Bowling Federation and the English Women's Bowling Federation at Grantham supported the proposal, but a decision on when the rule will be implemented has been delayed while a sub-committee assesses the merits of various designs and material.

A rule to allow men to wear white shorts in national finals and county association matches was passed at last year's annual meeting.

A loss on the year of £1,133.60 was reported by treasurer Ty Roberts – the first deficit in eight years. Income decreased this year by £1,309.31, due in the main to fewer clubs, with levy down by £240, player affiliations by £697 (a drop of 3%), the Potters week by £580, competition entries £533 and team entries £150, but the Federation still has assets topping £92,500.

The national finals at Newark and Skegness currently run at a cost to the Federation of around £9,000 a year, but the treasurer concluded that he felt it was essential to continue to hold these events to maintain the Federation's standing.

Mike Carr (LIncs) is the new men's president, with Trevor Hardingham (Norfolk) moving up to deputy and Ian Bratton (Humberside) elected the new junior deputy president.

The new women's president is Gill Bush (North Essex), with Paula Gooch (Suffolk) taking over as deputy, and Elaine Haddon-Holmes (Derbys) confirmed as the new junior deputy president.

Ray White (North Essex) was returned unopposed as chairman.

HAVING pushed their A team all the way to the line in their opening Derbyshire Trophy match of the season, Northants B were brought down to earth with a bump by Norfolk at Peterborough & District.

Only eight shots separated the A and B teams in the first fixture of the English Bowling Federation's indoor inter-county championship, but this time Northants B were very much second best as Norfolk powered their way to a 148-54 victory to claim all 14 points.

The rink of John Holroyd, Cliff Watson and Mick Duell did have their heads in front for almost two thirds of their clash, but were overhauled over the closing ends to lose by 14 shots – 36-22.

Jeff Clipston, Brian Bassam and county president Dick Noble kept within striking distance of their opponents, the losing margin being only 11 shots – 26-15.

It was far less competitive on the other two rinks, with Les Sharp, Ray Keating and Mick Linnell going down 36-13, while Melvyn Beck, Mick Greaves and team captain Malcolm Squires endured a nightmare 50-4 drubbing.

It was therefore a baptism of fire for county secretary Melvyn Beck, a late replacement for the injured Mike Ramsden, against a rink skipped by Bryan Sadler, who found the green so much to his liking that his team-mates presented him with a Peterborough & District membership form at the post-match dinner.

RESULT

Northants B 54 (0), Norfolk 148 (14) – (Northants rinks only):

John Holroyd, Cliff Watson, Mick Duell lost 22-36; Les Sharp, Ray Keating, Mick Linnell lost 13-36; Jeff Clipston, Brian Bassam, Dick Noble lost 15-26; Melvyn Beck, Mick Greaves, Malcolm Squires lost 4-50.

NORTHANTS B resume their Derbyshire Trophy indoor inter-county championship campaign on Sunday week (November 17th) at home to Norfolk at Peterborough & District (10.00am).

They are forced to make one change from the team that came close to upsetting the odds against their own A team, the defending champions only winning by eight shots with rink honours shared at four apiece.

With Graham Agger unavailable, team captain Malcolm Squires comes into the team to skip Mike Ramsden and Mick Greaves, while Mick Duell moves over to link up with John Holroyd and Cliff Watson.

Northants B: John Holroyd, Cliff Watson, Mick Duell; Jeff Clipston, Brian Bassam, Dick Noble; Les Sharp, Ray Keating, Mick Linnell; Mike Ramsden, Mick Greaves, Malcolm Squires.

Viv Hempsell receives chain of office from outgoing president Chris Ford.

VIV Hempsell (Yaxley) has been installed as the new president of the Northants Women's Bowling Federation.

She received the chain of office from outgoing president Chris Ford (Ketton) at the annual general meeting held at Peterborough & District.

In her final address as president, Chris revealed that when asked to be president she wasn't sure what she would be taking on.

"I thought it sounded a bit daunting and a lot more time consuming than it was, but I can honestly say how wrong I was," she said.

"I enjoyed every minute and if we didn't have a willing vice-president I would have done it for another year. I was proud to represent the NWBF."

At present there is not a president waiting in the wings, but all the officers and team captains were re-elected, with Jessica Phillips, this year's immediate past president, an addition to the committee.

Election of officers: President, Viv Hempsell; secretary/national delegate, Terri Handley; treasurer, Chris Ford; competition secretary, Val Du'Kett; match secretary, Norma Squires; Donald Steward Trophy team captain, Joan Robinson; Silver Jubilee Vase team captain, Ann Cooper; committee members, Doris Flowers, Shirley Suffling, Jessica Phillips.

The City of Peterborough club, recent hosts for Silver Jubilee matches, will stage the Donald Steward home games next season instead of Ketton, while Yaxley will host the Silver Jubilee fixtures.

There will be only two home games next summer, with Suffolk and Hunts visiting Northants in the last two matches of the campaign, Wednesdays, July 8th and 15th respectively.

Other fixtures: Tuesday, June 16th – North Essex (Donald Steward only); Monday, June 22nd – Norfolk; Wednesday, July 1st – North Cambs.

With North Cambs putting in a second team, it means the Silver Jubilee Vase squad will have four matches next year instead of three.

There are two alterations to the dress code for county finals. Replacing white or club top is plain white short or long-sleeved top with a collar or registered outdoor club shirt and in mixed competitions, ladies must wear their outdoor registered club shirt or plain white top which may differ from their male partners.

NORTHANTS Bowling Federation president Dick Noble will combine his presidential duties next year with those of Newton Trophy team captain following his appointment at the annual general meeting held at Peterborough & District.

He was the only nomination for the post following the resignation of Cliff Watson at the end of last season, but the election of the Adams Trophy team captain has been put on hold until the next management committee meeting to enable discussions with the current incumbent John Earl, who was unable to attend the annual meeting.

Given there were no nominations for any of the administrative posts, the leading county officials were duly re-elected, but the president forcibly made the point that members should consider stepping up to the plate in the future to take on some of the responsibilities, as without the willingness of the current officers to continue in their roles there would be, for example, no county competitions.

Having stepped down as Newton captain, which had enabled him to serve on the management committee, Cliff Watson was elected to continue as a committee member, while Melvyn Beck was asked to take over as publicity officer from Bob Warters, who has stepped down to concentrate on his club responsibilities.

Empingham have re-affiliated to the county after an absence of two years, which means that the Vanguard club, formed out of players from that club who wanted to continue playing county competitions, has been disbanded

In his president's remarks, Dick Noble said that after slow starts at Newark and Skegness, the players rose to the challenge, returning with the Derbyshire Trophy from Newark for only the third time, and two titles from Skegness – Les Sharp and Gill King (Yaxley) in the senior mixed pairs and Roger Stevens, Graham Agger, Martin Welsford and substitute Steve Lander (Whittlesey Manor) in the three-bowl triples – plus four other finalists and Stephen Harris was named 'Under 25 Player of thre Tournament' for good measure.

Once again it seems that the president will be entering the second and final year of his tenure without the support of a deputy, a situation highlighted by secretary Melvyn Beck in his annual report.

He reminded members that it was not set in stone that a president should have to serve for two years, and that presidential responsibilies could be shared by some of the county officers at the national finals to relieve some of the pressure, both financially and timewise.

He pointed out that such a system might have to operate in 2021 should a new president not be appointed this time next year.

The meeting endorsed a proposal from the management committee that county registered club shirts only be worn at the county finals, thus removing the alternatives of white shirts or predominantly white proprietary bowls or polo shirts which had caused some confusion and controversy in the past.

Also removed is the reference to brown, grey or predominantly white proprietary bowling flat soled shoes. With such a plethora of bowls shoes on the market in a combination of colours it was felt that this should be left to personal preference, providing they are flat-soled bowling shoes.

Competition secretary Melvyn Beck informed the meeting that next year's indoor county finals will be at Peterborough & District on Sunday, March 15th, with the outdoor finals at Ketton on Sunday, July 19th.

The national indoor finals at Newark will run from Monday, April 20th through to Sunday, April 26th, while the outdoor finals at Skegnes will start on Saturday, August 22nd until Saturday, August 29th.

Treasurer Les Sharp reported a loss on the year of £515.26, compared to a small profit of £245.00 the year before, but the county still had sufficient funds in the bank, with the on-going sponsorship from Forterra having made a signifiant difference to the operating costs.

Election of officers

Secretary, Melvyn Beck; Treasurer, Les Sharp; Match secretary, Graham Agger; Competition secretary, Melvyn Beck; Results secretary, Barry Lawrence; Minutes' secretary, Linda Toms; Publicity officer, Melvyn Beck; NDC delegate, Melvyn Beck; Child/Vulnerable Adult representative, Neil Wright; Adams captain, to be confirmed; Newton captain, Dick Noble; Derbyshire A captain, James Harford; Derbyshire B captain, Malcolm Squires; Management committe, Brian Bassam, Peter Brown, Mick Greaves, Cliff Watson, Paul Dalliday, Steve Roden, Tony Kemp, Tony Mace (immediate past president).

Northants A team with President Dick Noble.

Northants B team

President presents 100 appearance county ties to Simon Law (left) and Mick Greaves.

NORTHANTS A made a winning start to their defence of the English Bowling Federation's
Derbyshire Trophy, the indoor inter-county championship, but they were given few favours by their own B team at Peterborough & District on Sunday morning.

The B team took four of the 14 points off the champions by sharing the rink honours at two apiece, and the final margin of victory for the A side was only eight shots – 94-86 – a far cry to 12 months ago when the A squad triumphed by 61 shots in a 14-0 success, albeit on their home green at Stamford.

For the B team, who finished bottom of the southern section last year, the rink of John Holroyd, Cliff Watson and Graham Agger provided the biggest winning margin by defeating Michael Humphreys, Adam Warrington and team captain James Harford 34-13.

County president Dick Noble led Jeff Clipston and Brian Bassam to a 22-21 victory over Paul Dalliday, Trevor Collins and Simon Law, who as the match entered the closing stages seemed destined to collect the spoils.

Tristan Morton was in awesome form for the A team as he guided Brian Martin and Bob Warters to a 29-10 victory over Mike Ramsden, Mick Greaves and debutant Mick Duell, while Stephen Harris, Roger Martin and Martyn Dolby made certain that the bulk of the points were going in the direction of the A team with a 31-20 defeat of Les Sharp, Ray Keating and Mick Linnell.

Next up for the B team is a home match against Norfolk on Sunday, November 17th, with the A team returning to action the following Sunday (November 24th) against North Cambs at Stamford. MB

RESULT

NORTHANTS A 94 (10), NORTHANTS B 86 (4): (Northants A rinks first) – 

Paul Dalliday, Trevor Collins, Simon Law, 21, Jeff Clipston, Brian Bassam, Dick Noble 22.

Stephen Harris, Roger Martin, Martyn Dolby 31, Les Sharp, Ray Keating, Mick Linnell 20.

Michael Humphreys, Adam Warrington, James Harford 13, John Holroyd, Cliff Watson, Graham Agger 34.

Brian Martin, Bob Warters, Tristan Morton 29, Mike Ramsden, Mick Greaves, Mick Duell 10.

THE NBF annual general meeting takes place at the Peterborough & District club next Wednesday (October 16th) at 7.30pm, while the NWBF AGM is at the same venue on Wednesday, November 6th at 7.00pm.

At the NWBF meeting, Dick Noble will begin his second year as president, but as yet no-one has come forward to take up the vacant position of deputy president.

Viv Hempsell (Yaxley) will take over as president from Chris Ford (Ketton) at the women's meeting.