Setback for NWBF at North Essex

Following their opening win against Huntingdonshire, Northants’ Donald Steward Trophy team had high hopes of a bright season. But it suffered a setback when they were beaten this week away to North Essex (145-71), claiming just two of the 16 points at stake.

However, the county’s Jubilee Silver Vase squad turned their fortunes around and following defeat at Hunts, picked up maximum points from their visit to the Sudbury Club where a fast surface proved much to their liking in a 159-86 triumph.

Only the Ketton trio of Elizabeth Wallace, Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford emerged with points at the Cornard Club, while it was Veina Slater, Pat Jones and president Jess Phillips who claimed the rink prize for the Silver Vase team, with a 46-12 win.

Results (Northants names only):

Donald Steward Trophy (Cornard BC): North Essex 145 (16 pts) Northants 71 (2). W. Harrold, F. Richardson & L. Darani lost 11 – 26; S. Moir, V. Hatch & J. Masters lost 9 – 33;
N. Squires, E. Hext & S. Craig lost 13 – 41; E. Wallace, S. Suffling & C. Ford won 24 – 17; M. Osbourne, K. Browning & G. King lost 14 – 28

Silver Jubilee Vase (Sudbury BC): North Essex 68 (0) Northants 159 (18). P. Collicott, L. Toms & H. Bass won 27 – 23; H. Holroyd, J. Kendall & E. Barr won 23 -19; V. Slater, P. Jones & J. Phillips won 46 – 12; M. Holden, C. Warters & W. Humphreys won 36 – 9; T. Handley, V. Du’Kett & J. Padley won 27 – 23.

Both Northants teams are on the road again on Monday for the visit to Norfolk – the Donald Steward at County Arts, the Vase at Carters. Transport leaves Burton Street at 9.30am.

Donald Steward: F Richardson, C Grief, L Darani; T Tinklin, E Hext, S Craig; N Squires, W Harrold, S.Moir; E Wallace, S Suffling, C Ford; M Osbourne, K Browning, G King. Red V Hatch, D Flowers.

Vase: P Collicott, L Toms, H Bass; M Holden, C Warters, W Humphreys; H Holroyd, J Kendall, L Barr; V Slater, J Needham, J Phillips; T Handley, V Du’Kett, J Padley.

NORTHANTS MEN TRAVEL TO HUNTS

Only pride will be at stake when Northants Federation men’s teams travel to Huntingdonshire for their latest inter-county matches in the Adams and Newton trophies on Saturday.

Following defeats by Suffolk and Lincs both sides are out of contention to compete at Skegness in August but both captains are building for next season.

Jon Earl has yet to name his Adams team to play at Sawtry, after a handful of players dropped out but Newton captain Cliff Watson has named his team for the Needingworth visit as follows: Martin Stokes, Richard Allam & Malc Squires; Fred Addy, Brian Bassam & Barry Lawrence; Les Sharp, Zac Brown & Dick Noble; Roger Stevens, Jeff Clipston, & Fred Richardson; Sean Fenlon, Jim Ruddy & Mick Greaves; Peter Cox, Bob Warters & Peter Jessop.

Double defeat by Lincolnshire

EBF President Trevor Harris (second from the right) visited the Newton match between Northants and Lincs at City of Peterborough. Also pictured from the left are Cliff Watson (Northants captain), Dick Noble (deputy president Northants) and Mike Carr (EBF Junior Deputy President) a past president of the Lincs Federation

HOPES OF REACHING the heights they have enjoyed in recent seasons – winning the Adams Trophy in 2015 and finalists in the Newton Trophy in 2017 – look like eluding Northants this season after successive defeats in their respective competitions.

Following losses in Suffolk last weekend, Northants were hoping that home advantage might give them hope of turning their fortunes around. But local rivals Lincolnshire put paid to that at the Blackstones and City of Peterborough greens.

The Adams team lost by 26 shots – claiming just three of the 22 points at stake while the Newton team picked up just six points from three winning rinks in a 24-shot defeat.

Only the rink of Wayne Morris, Stephen Harris and Paul Buckley held their own at the Stamford venue in a 28-23 win over Mick Thompson, while the Whittlesey Manor trio of Steve Lander, Graham Agger and Martin Welsford were held to a 29-29 draw by Richard White to salvage another point.

Elsewhere Trevor Smith, Martyn Dolby and captain Jon Earl were overhauled by England indoor international Jonathan West alongside defeats for rinks skipped by John Holroyd, Mick Duell and Roger Martin.

Meanwhile at Peterborough it was no coincidence that Northants’ three winning rinks enjoyed kinder, more playable conditions while the three losing rinks were unable to come to terms with firmer, fast-running conditions on which it was more difficult to control drawing speed.

Full marks therefore to Martin Stokes, Richard Allam and home green member Malcolm Squires in taking the rink honours with a 37-25 victory with rinks skipped by Dick Noble and Fred Richardson also picking up points.

Both Adams and Newton teams will be in action again on June 23 against Hunts at Sawtry and Needingworth respectively.

Results ( Northants names only):

Adams Trophy (at Blackstones): Northants 157 (3pts) Lincs 183 (19). S Roden, P Bailey, J Holroyd lost 25-32; T Smith, M Dolby, J Earl lost 22-32; J Corney, M Humphreys, R Martin lost 21-29; W Morris, S Harris, P Buckley win 28-23; H Shipp, N Wright, M Duell lost 32-38; S Lander, G Agger, M Welsford drew 29-29.

Newton Trophy (at City of Peterborough BC). Northants 165 (6pts) Lincs 189 (16). F Addy, T Kemp, B Lawrence lost 27-31; P Cox, B Warters, P Jessop lost 15-36; S Fenlon, J Ruddy, M Greaves lost 20-46; L Sharp, Z Brown, D Noble won 34-26; R Stevens, J Clipston, F Richardson won 32-25; M Stokes, R Allam, M Squires won 37-25.

CHANGES IN NWBF TEAMS TO FACE NORTH ESSEX

Northants Women bowlers hope to build on the victory over Hunts in the Donald Steward Trophy with a visit to North Essex on Tuesday (June 19), playing at Cornard Bowls Club in Sudbury.

The team shows a couple of changes with Norma Squires switching rinks to lead for Liz Hext and Sheila Craig (in place of Carol Grief) while Wendy Harrold is drafted in to lead for Fiona Richardson and Linda Darani.

Pat Jones (Vanguard) makes her 2018 debut for the Silver Vase team against North Essex at Sudbury BC as No.2 in President Jess Phillips’ triple.

Transport for both teams leaves Peterborough & District Bowls Club at 9am.

Donald Steward: W Harrold, F Richardson, L Darani; S Moir, VHatch, J Masters; N Squires, E Hext, S Craig; E Wallace, S Suffling, C Ford; M Osbourne, K Browning, G King; Res C Grief, T Tinklin.

Silver Vase: P Collicott, L Toms, H Bass; H Holroyd, J Kendall, E Barr; V Slater, P Jones, J Phillips; M Holden, C Warters, W Humphreys; T Handley, V Du’Kett, J Padley. Reserves P O’Brien, D Flowers, J Needham.

President Jessica’s charity fund-raiser

Northants Women’s Bowling Federation president Jessica Phillips hosted her annual President’s day – with not a bowl delivered – but local charities benefitting.

Staged at Northborough Villge Hall, where the City of Peterborough bowler is the treasurer, NWBF members were entertained by a concert by the award-winning ‘A Handful of Harmonies’ – a ladies choir drawn from local towns and villages, who have also performed at London theatres.

Guests also enjoyed a cream tea and helped raise £100 for local charities involving Northborough residents. One was The Lucy Jessop Foundation which raises funds towards Cardiac Arrest in the young (CRY). It follows the tragic of eighteen-year-old Lucy (neice of local bowler Peter Jessop) who collapsed while jogging. The charity raises money for medical screening of youngsters and to date of 250 screenings nine at risk have been detected.

The day also raised money for Macie’s Charity Bookmarks for Great Ormond Street Hospital providing a donation for Macie Chapman (11) who is raising money for the hospital where her younger brother Oliver is receiving treatment. She has so far raised £1,000. She makes bookmarks and sells them for £1.

Suffolk shows no mercy to Adams and Newton teams

The 2018 Newton Trophy team ahead of the much with Suffolk (image by Bob Warters)

A 200-MILE ROUND TRIP to Suffolk proved a fruitless journey for both Northants Bowling Federation’s Adams and Newton Trophy teams collecting just five points from a possible aggregate of 44.

Jon Earl’s Adams team, weakened by calls on key players who preferred to contest an alternative code, had just one winning rink in a 134-161 defeat at Kessingland near Lowestoft, while the Newton team, under the guidance of the irrepressible Cliff Watson, lost by just 15 shots at Laxfield.

Both results put Suffolk in the driving seat for both Adams and Newton titles having already beaten Norfolk away from home, leaving Northants needing to do them a favour to stay in the hunt.

The only success in the Adams came from John Holroyd, Mick Humphreys and Roger Martin who retained their unbeaten record with a 26-20 win after trailing 13-15 with 11 of the 31 ends still to play.

Elsewhere Adam Warrington’s rink were unable to hold on to ian early 15-10 lead, while Martin Welsford was two up at a similar stage. Eleven shots dropped and only one in reply in the last six ends tells its own story for Mick Duell’s rink who eventually lost 17-28.

Overall Northants were rarely in the picture in the closing stages as Suffolk piled on the pressure from a slender 89-87 lead at 20 ends.

Despite losing a handful of key players to the senior Adams team at the start of the season, Watson was confident he had enough fire power in his Newton squad to repeat last year’s visit to the national finals. But Suffolk were in no mood to bend and quickly took advantage of the steamy conditions on a challenging green.

With 11 ends to go, Suffolk led by 20 shots but despite Barry Lawrence’s experienced rink (with Fred Addy and Tony Kemp) picking up two points with a 31-20 win and a Peter Jessop inspired triple snatching a draw, there was little to celebrate.

Said Watson: “The result disappointing because although we were competitive on most rinks it was always going to be difficult to cover big deficits on adjacent rinks.

“At 25 ends the game had gone but eight points were definitely attainable. We only lost by 15 shots because Brian Bassam’s rink picked up 10 shots on the last five ends.”

Results (Northants names only:
Adams Trophy: Suffolk 161 (20 pts) Northants 134 (2). H Shipp, M Dolby, MDuell lost 17-28; T Smith, T Fielding, J Earl lost 19-25; S Lander, G Agger, M Welsford lost 24-28; W Morris, J Corney, P Buckley lost 20-30; J Holroyd, M Humphreys, R Martin won 26-20, S Roden, P Bailey,A Warrington lost 28-30.

Newton Trophy. Suffolk 168 (19) Northants 153 (3) .Fred Addy, Tony Kemp, Barry Lawrence won 31-20; Martin Stokes, Richard Allam,Brian Bassam lost 28-31;
Les Sharp, Malc Squires, Dick Noble lost 20-34; Peter Cox, Bob Warters, Peter Jessop drew 28-28; Roger Stevens, Jeff Clipston, Fred Richardson lost 20-24; Sean Fenlon, Jim Ruddy, Mick Greaves lost 26-31.

FOOTNOTE: For this week’s home Newton clash with Lincolnshire at City of Peterborough (2pm) Watson brings in Zac Brown (Whittlesey Manor) so the youngster gets a feel of a 31-end game. Four rinks will remain unchanged but deputy president Dick Noble will skip Martin Stokes and Richard Allam while Brown will join veterans Les Sharp and Malcolm Squires. Bassam is named as reserve. Expect more changes in the Adams team which entertains some familiar faces in the Lincs team at

(Additional photography by Bob Warters and Fiona Richardson)

Northants women topple Hunts in Donald Steward Trophy

Northants Bowling Federation women got off to a flying start in the Donald Steward Trophy beating local rivals Huntingdonshire by 18 shots, claiming 14 of the 18 points available.

Northants took advantage of local knowledge of the tricky Peterborough & District BC green in a 105-87 shot victory to set up a confidence-boosting trip to North Essex on June 19.

Top-scoring rink was the Ketton trio of Elizabeth Wallace, Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford (23-9) with rinks skipped by Gill King (Yaxley) and Julie Masters (Parkway) also picking up valuable points.

Sadly there was little to celebrate for the Northants Silver Jubilee Vase team at City of Peterborough where they lost on all rinks against Hunts, conceding all 18 points in a 144-88 whitewash.

Results (Northants names only):

Donald Steward Trophy. Northants 105 (14 pts) Hunts 88 (4). N. Squires, F. Richardson & L. Darani lost 15 – 21; S. Moir, V. Hatch & J. Masters won 22 – 19; C. Grief, E. Hext & S. Craig lost 16 – 21; E. Wallace, S. Suffling & C. Ford won 23 – 9; M. Osbourne, K. Browning & G. King won 29 – 17.

Silver Jubilee Vase. Northants 88 (0) Hunts 144(18). P. Collicott, J. Needham & H. Bass lost 15 – 26; H. Holroyd, D. Flowers & P. O’Brien lost 14 – 39; V. Slater, J. Duffy & J. Phillips lost 16 – 25; M. Holden, C. Warters & W. Humphreys lost 24 – 27; T. Handley, V. Du’kett & J. Padley lost 19 – 27.

Convincing first Adams win for Northants

Northants Federation Adams Trophy team, winners in 2015, began their 2018 campaign with a comprehensive 212-115 victory over North Cambs in Wisbech.

Resplendent in their new Forterra-sponsored team shirts (emblazoned on both front and back) Northants claimed all 22 points available and will go into next Saturday’s away game at Kessingland in Suffolk, full of confidence despite several squad members likely to be committed elsewhere.

Blackstones club players dominated the Northants team, under the guidance of captain Jonathan Earl – and didn’t disappoint with Earl joining clubmates Adam Warrington and Martyn Dolby to win their rink 44-24 over the 31-end discipline.

Elsewhere there were wins for rinks skipped by Roger Martin (32-18), Peter Brown (30-21), Paul Buckley (38-11), Martin Welsford (32-19) and Mick Duell, making his Adams debut (36-22).

Northants took their time learning the vagaries of the home green but soon raced away to a comfortable win with the combination of Wayne Morris, Jack Corney and the evergreen Paul Buckley taking the rink honours.

Result (Northants names only):

North Cambs 115 (0) Northants 212 (22). P Dalliday, S Harris, M Duell won 36-22; W Morris, J Corney, P Buckley won 38-11; S Roden, P Bailey, P Brown won 30-21; J Holroyd, M Humphreys, R Martin won 32-18; P Warrington, M Dolby, J Earl won 44-24; N Wright, G Agger, M Welsford won 32-19.

FOOTNOTE Next Saturday’s Northants Newton Trophy match in Suffolk will be switched to the nearby Laxfield green.

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.

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,

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.

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.