NBF county teams had mixed fortune against visiting Suffolk in the opening round of the English Bowling Federation county championships for the Adams and Newton trophies.
While the Newton team opened with a 174-163 success at Whittlesey Manor, the Adams team suffered a 203-130 defeat at Blackstones.
Rink honours were shared at three apiece in the Newton clash, but a dominating 34-16 victory for the rink of Les Sharp, debutant Mick Porter and Paul Bailey, plus wins for the rinks of Paul Buckley (32-29) and Adam Emery (30-26) enabled the hosts to claim the bulk of the points.
Over at Blackstones, the rink of county president Martyn Dolby, which included fellow host club players Stephen Harris and Mark Pye, provided the only bright spot for the Adams team with a 36-22 victory that denied Suffolk a clean sweep.
The Adams team are back in action on Saturday (June 1) away to North Cambs at March, while the Newton team return to action the following Saturday (June 8) away to LIncs.
Adams team: Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Ray Keating; Ally McNaughton, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter; Wayne Morris, Mark Pye, Martyn Dolby; Duncan Lee, Mick Linnell, Darren Middleton; Martin Prudhoe, Robert Heath, Roger Strong; Trevor Smith, Dudley Smith, Graham Agger.
RESULTS
ADAMS TROPHY
Northants 130 (2), Suffolk 203 (20) – (Northants rinks only):
Neil Wright, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter lost 24-31; Trevor Smith, Graham Agger, Ray Keating lost 26-30; Stuart Agger, Mick Greaves, Roger Strong lost 17-39; Jeff Clipston, Dudley Smith, Roger Martin lost 11-43; Stephen Harris, Mark Pye, Martyn Dolby won 36-22; Duncan Lee, Ally McNaughton, Mick Linnell lost 16-38.
NEWTON TROPHY
Northants 174 (16), Suffolk 163 (6) – (Northants rinks only):
Nick Corney, Martin Bailey, Brian Bassam lost 28-34; Andy Cox, Dave Corney, Steven Shaw lost 23-29; Les Sharp, Mick Porter, Paul Bailey won 34-16; Philip Burbridge, Melvyn Beck, Phil Symonds lost 27-29; Craig Campbell, Peter Brown, Adam Emery won 30-26; Ian Chilvers, Alec Emery, Paul Buckley won 32-29.
