NORTHANTS reached all three men's singles finals at the delayed 2020 English Bowling Federation national indoor championships at Newark, but managed only one success courtesy of Stephen Harris in the under 25 singles.

It followed his victory in the under 25 open pairs with sister Louise at Skegness in late August, and so he bows out of the junior category with two national titles in the space of a few weeks.

He defeated fellow junior indoor international Ed Elmore (Hunts) 21-16 in the final to claim the junior singles title for the county for the first time, his final opponent having already collected the pairs and triples crowns.

It also avenged his semi-final defeat in the pairs with Wayne Morris at the hands of Elmore and Albert Corn the previous day.

Martyn Dolby and Adam Warrington missed out on glory having both been impressive in their semi-finals, especially Dolby who swamped Hunts' David Peak 21-2 in the senior singles..

However, he was beaten 21-13 the following morning by A. HInd (Cleveland) as he attempted to win a fourth national indoor title, while Warrington lost his way in the singles final after a bright start, losing 21-5 to Clive Rawson (Notts).

The only other Northants representative to reach a semi-final was Joan Robinson in the senior singles, where she lost 21-10 to Notts.

Chris Ford was the only other Northants player to win a match, winning her first round singles tie 21-15 against Suffolk, before bowing out 21-5 in the next at the hands of Derbys.

There were opening match defeats for:

Katie Bailey and John Earl in the mixed pairs (21-16 to Durham); Moira Holroyd, substitute Stephen Harris and John Holroyd in the mixed triples (25-9 to Durham); Martyn Dolby, John Earl, Adam Warrington in the triples (18-17 after extra end against Derbys); Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford in the pairs (22-13 against Lincs); Shirley Suffling, substitute Rose March, Chris Ford in the triples (22-17 against Derbys).

NORTHANTS' hopes of retaining the Derbyshire Trophy, the English Bowling Federation's indoor inter-county championship, for the first time ended in disappointment at Newark where they were beaten 111-82 by Durham in the delayed 2020 final.

Results from three of the four rinks had Northants in front overall by ten shots, but unfortunately the fourth suffered a crushing 46-7 defeat which tipped the scales heavily in favour of the northern champions.

Northants' winning rink was Paul Dalliday Michael Jeapes, one of two late replacements, and Simon Law, who won 34-14, while the rinks of Michael Humphreys, Adamn Warrington and Roger Martin and Richard Allam, Stephen Harris and Martyn Dolby only lost by four and six shots respectively.

However, the rink of Mike Robertson, the other late inclusion, team captain James Harford and Tristan Morton had one of those days, only managing to score on six of the 25 ends.

RESULT

Northants 82, Durham 111 (Northants rinks only):

Richard Allam, Stephen Harris, Martyn Dolby lost 27-21.

Michael Humphreys, Adam Warrington, Roger Martin lost 24-20.

Paul Dalliday, Michael Jeapes, Simon Law won 34-14.

Mike Robertson, James Harford, Tristan Morton lost 46-7.

THE men's inter-county championship programme returns to normal next year, having had a truncated version last year owing to the pandemic.

So instead of a straight knockout as last year, the county will be having five county matches in the southern section played on five consecutive Saturdays between June 4 and July 2.

Home venues for the Adams and Newton teams are still to be decided, and the county are also looking for a new Adams team captain following the resignation of Roger Martin, who stepped into the post last year, which involved just the one game against the eventual winners Hunts.

2022 FIXTURES

June 4 – Suffolk (home); June 11 – Hunts (home); June 18 – Lincs (away); June 25 – North Essex (Adams only, away); North Cambs (Newton only, away); July 2 – Norfolk (away).

NORTHANTS Bowling Federation hold their annual general meeting at the Parkway Club on Wednesday, October 13 starting at 7.30pm.

Any member of an affiiated club can attend the meeting, but clubs can only appoint two voting delegates.

The county are hoping to appoint a President, and a deputy for that matter, but so far no nominations have been received from clubs.

If a President is not appointed, then members of the executive committee will have to undertake the presidential duties at county matches and the indoor and outdoor national finals at Newark and Skegness respectively.

The county are hoping to appoint a chairman for the first time to head the committee meetings instead of the President, but this will only happen if delegates accept a proposed change to the constitution forwarded by the committee.

Barry Lawrence is stepping down as results secretary, but it is understood a successor is in the pipeline.

NORTHANTS ladies hope to resume their inter-county championship programme next summer having not played together since the 2019 season because of the pandemic.

The fixtures for next season are being played on a fortnightly basis, starting on May 16th and ending on July 13th.

Clubs have been asked to submit ladies' names to be considered for selection to match secretary Norma Squires by the end of October.

2022 fixtures:

Monday, May 16 – Norfolk (away); Wednesday, June 1 – North Cambs (away); Wednesday, June 15 – Suffolk (home); Tuesday, June 28 – North Essex (away); Wednesday, July 13 – Hunts (home).

AFTER waiting 18 months to defend the English Bowling Federation's Derbyshire Trophy indoor inter-county championship, Northants finally get their chance against Durham at Newark on Saturday (October 9th).

Northants, under James Harford, won the title for only the third time back in 2019, so they are bidding for an historic back to back success against the northern section winners.

Northants have named the following team: James Harford (captain), Tristan Morton, Simon Law, Paul Dalliday, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington, Ean Morton, Stephen Harris, Richard Allam, Tony Scarr, Michael Humphreys, Roger Martin.

Not long after the final, Northants will be embarking on the 2021/22 Derbyshire Trophy programme, with the A team facing their B side in the opening fixture at Stamford on Sunday, November 7. The B team will again playing their home matches at Peterborough & District.

Remaining A team fixtures:

November 21 – North Cambs (away); December 5 – Hunts (away); February 20 – Norfolk (home); March 6 – Lincs (home).

Remaining B team fixtures:

November 21 – Norfolk (away); November 28 – Lincs (away); January 8 – North Cambs (home); February 20 – Hunts (home).

THE English Bowling Federation national presidents, MIke Carr and Gill Bush, were the guests of honour at the Northants Bowling Federation presentation luncheon at the Orton Hall Hotel.

They proposed toasts to both the Northants Bowling Federation and the Northants Women's Bowling Federation with NWBF president Vivienne Hempsell and NBF secretary Melvyn Beck responding.

There were special congratulations to the outdoor national championships – Louise & Stephen Harris (Blackstones) in the under 25 open pairs and to Shirley Suffling & Chris Ford (Ketton) in the senior pairs, along with the mixed pairs beaten finalists, Jane Needham & Martyn Dolby (Blackstones). 

A tribute was paid to Malcolm Squires during the proceedings having announced his intention to stand down from NBF administrative duties after forty years, which included two terms as county president.

The national presidents presented the trophies to the 2020 indoor winners and the 2021 outdoor champions, with Brian Martin and John Holroyd winning the Derbyshire Trophy 'Player of the Season' awards for 2020 for the A and B teams respectively.

2020 INDOOR WINNERS

WOMEN

Singles: Chris Ford; Senior singles: Joan Robinson; Pairs: Shirley Suffling & Chris Ford; Triples: Jan Want, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford.

MEN

Singles: Adam Warrington; Under 25 singles: Stephen Harris; Veterans singles: Martyn Dolby; Pairs: Wayne Morris & Stephen Harris; Mixed pairs: Katie Bailey & John Earl; Triples: Adam Warrington, John Earl, Martyn Dolby; Mixed rinks: Moira Holroyd, Wayne Aspinall, John Holroyd.

2021 OUTDOOR WINNERS

WOMEN

2b singles: Shirley Suffling (Ketton); 4b singles: Sophie Morton (Parkway); Champion of Champions: Myra Landsburgh (City of Peterborough); Senior singles: Wendy Stevens (Whittlesey Manor); Under 25 singles: Louise Harris (Blackstones); Pairs: Sophie Morton & Merisha McKernan (Parkway); Senior pairs: Shirley Suffling & Chris Ford (Ketton); 2b triples: Linda Toms, Tina Tinklin, Liz Hext (Conservative); 3b triples: Linda Starbuck, Moira & Helen Holroyd (Stamford).

MEN

2b singles: Roger Stevens (Whittlesey Manor); 4b singles: Wayne Morris (Blackstones); Champion of Champions: James Harford (Parkway); Veterans singles: Peter Cox (Langtoft Pearl); Secretary singles: Melvyn Beck (Whittlesey Manor); Under 25 singles: Stephen Harris (Blackstones); Under 25 pairs: Louise & Stephen Harris (Blackstones); Pairs: Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley); Senior pairs: Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley); Mixed pairs: Jane Needham & Martyn Dolby (Blackstones); Senior mixed pairs: Chris & Dick Ford (Ketton); 2b triples: Martyn Dolby, John Earl, Adam Warrington (Blackstones); 3b triples: Martyn Dolby, John Earl, Adam Warrington (Blackstones); Mixed triples: Paul Dalliday, Michelle Coleman, James Harford (Parkway).

THE draws have been made for the delayed English Bowling Federation 2020 national indoor finals which are being played at Newark IBC from October 4-10.

Following the ladies' Harry Carver competition on the Monday (October 4), the individual championships proper begin on the Tuesday through to Saturday morning followed by the Derbyshire Trophy on the Saturday afternoon featuring Northants, the holders, against Durham, and finally the men's Eversley Trophy on the Sunday.

Draws and times for the Northants representatives.

WOMEN

Singles: Chris Ford (Wednesday, 9.30am, then Thursday, 7.30pm if successful).

Senior singles: Joan Robinson (Thursday, 2.30pm, then Friday, 2.30pm)

Pairs: Shirley Suffling & Chris Ford (Friday, 9.30am then Friday, 12noon).

Rinks: Jan Want, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford (Tuesday, 9.30am then Tuesday, 3.30pm)

MEN

Singles: Adam Warrington (Wednesday, 6.30pm, then Thursday, 5.00pm)

Veterans singles: Martyn Dolby (Thursday, 5.00pm, then Friday, 5.00pm)

Under 25 singles: Stephen Harris (bye to semi-final, Friday, 5.00pm)

Pairs: Wayne Morris & Stephen Harris (Thursday, 5.00pm then Friday, 12noon)

Mixed pairs: Katie Bailey & John Earl (Wednesday, 3.30pm then Thursday, 12noon)

Rinks: Martyn Dolby, John Earl, Adam Warrington (Tuesday, 3.30pm then Wednesday, 12.30pm)

Mixed rinks: Moira Holroyd, Wayne Aspinall, John Holroyd (Tuesday, 12.30pm then Tuesday, 6.30pm)

ALTHOUGH all Northants Bowling Federation officers are up for re-election at next month's annual general meeting, there are vacancies existing at the moment for a president, and a deputy for that matter, and a results secretary following the resignation of Barry Lawrence.

Usually the president is elected for a period of two years, but the option of a one-year term will be available should a management committee proposal be accepted at the annual general meeting.

On top of his ceremonial duties, the president has also chaired committee meetings, but there is a move afoot at the annual meeting to elect a chairman in line with the vast majority of other counties in the English Bowling Federation.

If anyone is interested in seeking election to these posts, then either contact the NBF through your club secretary or go direct to the county secretary.

NORTHANTS bowlers claimed two titles at the English Bowling Federation national championships played on the challenging greens at Skegness.

Ketton pair Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford swept to success in the women's senior pairs by defeating North Essex 27-13 (they were 23-0 ahead before conceding a shot), Notts 24-11 and Northumberland 19-10 in the final.

Blackstones brother and sister Stephen and Louise Harris took the honours in the Under 25 open pairs with wins against North Cambs 20-8, Humberside 20-15 and Suffolk 20-8 in the final.

It was a fitting end to Stephen's successful spell in the junior category as he lifted the trophy for the second time, having won it with Darren Middleton in 2016. Louise also reached the semi-final of the women's under 25 singles, losing to the eventual winner from Derbyshire.

Northants narrowly missed out on a third title when Blackstones' Jane Needham, playing in the finals for the first time, and Martyn Dolby were beaten 19-14  in the final of the mixed pairs by Derbyshire, having beaten Northumberland (19-10), Norfolk (20-14) and Lincs (17-8) along the way.

There were also semi-final appearances for the Parkway mixed rink of Paul Dalliday, Michelle Coleman and James Harford, defeating Notts (22-20) and Lincs 24-11 before bowing out to Durham, who went on to win the title, and Yaxley's Robert Heath and Tony Belson, pipped 19-18 by North Essex in the senior pairs after wiins against Northumberland (19-13) and Notts (21-16).

Northants only managed to win opening round matches in five other disciplines, Wendy Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) in the women's senior singles; Linda Starbuck, Moira and Helen Holroyd (Stamford) in the women's three-bowl triples; Roger Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) in the men's two-bowl singles; Sophie Morton and Merisha McKernan (Parkway) in the women's pairs and Martyn Dolby, John Earl and Adam Warrington (Blackstones) in the men's two-bowl triples.

Those who lost their opening round matches were:

WOMEN

Shirley Suffling (Ketton) in the two-bowl singles; Sophie Morton (Parkway) in the four-bowl singles; Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl) in the secretary singles; Myra Landsburgh (City of Peterborough) in the Champion of Champion singles and Linda Toms, Tina Tinklin and Liz Hext (Conservative) in the two-bowl triples.

MEN

Wayne Morris (Blackstones) in the four-bowl singles; Stephen Harris (Blackstones) in the under 25 singles; Peter Cox (Langtoft Pearl) in the veterans singles; Melvyn Beck (Whittlesey Manor) in the secretary singles; James Harford (Parkway) in the Champion of Champions singles; Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley) in the pairs; Chris & Dick Ford (Ketton) in the senior mixed pairs and Martyn Dolby, John Earl and Adam Warrington (Blackstones) in the three-bowl triples.

Don't forget you can salute your national winners at the county presentation luncheon at the Orton Hall Hotel on Sunday, September 19 (12.00 for 12.30). Book your tickets via the men's and women's county secretaries.

Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford, winners of the women’s senior pairs.

Louise and Stephen Harris, winners of the Under 25 open pairs.