Federation finals schedule

Twenty-two year old Stephen Harris will need all his stamina if he is to emerge with the five titles he contests at the Northants Federation Championship on his home green on Sunday.

The Blackstones bowler is likely to play through the finals day with hardly a break between 10 am and 8pm, having reached the final of the 4-bowl singles, two-bowl under 25 singles and pairs, men’s pairs and mixed pairs.

His latest success came in the semi-final of the pairs, where he and clubmate Jonathan Earl beat Ally McNaughton and Dave Burton 17-10 at Wittering. They will face Parkway’s Brian Martin and James Harford in the final.

Another multi-finalist is Blackstones’ Paul Buckley whom, with Shirley Suffling (Ketton) contests the senior mixed pairs and with Suffling and Martin Stokes the mixed triples. Partnered by Blackstones club chairman Trevor Christie he will take on Malcolm Mann and Mike Ramsden, from the Vanguard club in the men’s senior pairs.

Yorkshire-born Stamford Town bowler John Holroyd is among those who have reached two finals. Having beaten Andy Cooper (Yaxley) 21-10 he faces Paul Dalliday (Parkway) in the two-bowl singles.

He will also join Richard Allam and Kevin Vinter in the two-bowl rinks against the reigning national champions – Dalliday, Simon Law and Tristan Morton (Parkway).

Among the most eagerly anticipated match-ups are in the women’s singles disciplines in which Langtoft’s Sue Moir appears in two against Julie Masters (Parkway) in the two-bowl singles and Val Newson (Parkway) in the seniors.

Having lost 16-19 with clubmate Suffling in the pairs semi-final on Monday against Louise Harris & Katie Bailey (Blackstones), Chris Ford (Ketton) plays Tina Tinklin in the 4-bowl singles, while veteran Joan Robinson (Yaxley) takes on Angela Cox (Langtoft) in the two-bowl champion of champion singles.

FOOTNOTE: Trophy holders from the 2018-19 indoor and outdoor season are requested to return their shields and silverware to the county secretary Mel Beck or the county finals at Blackstones BC, Stamford or by Sunday (July 14) for engraving. The trophies will be re-presented at annual NBF & NWBF awards at Orton Hall on September 22 by national presidents Mick Rayson and Carole Swann.

SCHEDULE

10 am (Rinks 1-6): Women’s Under 25 singles – Louise Harris (Blackstones) v Sophie Morton (Parkway); men’s champion of champions – Malcolm Mann (Vanguard) v Cliff Watson (P& D); men’s secretaries singles – Andy Grief (Crowland) v Mal Squires (CoP); women’s 2-bowl singles – Sue Moir (Langtoft) v Julie Masters (Parkway); men’s 4-bowl singles – Stephen Harris (Blackstones) v Lee Welsford ( Whittlesey Manor); women’s champion of champion singles – Joan Robinson (Yaxley) v Angela Cox (Langtoft)

12 noon: Women’s senior singles – Val Newson (Parkway) v Moir; senior mixed pairs – S Suffling (Ketton) & P Buckley (Blackstones) v Gill King & Les Sharp (Yaxley); under 25 Open pairs – Helen Holroyd (Stamford Town) & S Morton v Jack Corney (Whittlesey Manor) & S Harris; men’s veteran singles – Roger Stevens (Whittlesey Manor) v Mick Duell (WM); men’s 2-bowl singles – John Holroyd ( Stamford Town) v Paul Dalliday (Parkway); women’s secretaries singles – Angie Jinks ( West Ward) v Linda Darani (CoP).

2pm: Men’s under 25 singles – S Harris v Zac Brown (Whittlesey Manor); women’s 2-bowl pairs – L Harris & Katie Bailey (Blackstones) v Fiona Richardson & Norma Squires (CoP); men’s senior pairs – M Mann & Mike Ramsden (Vanguard) v Trevor Christie & Buckley (Blackstones); men’s 2-bowl triples – Dalliday, Simon Law & Tristan Morton (Parkway) v Richard Allam, Kevin Vinter & Holroyd ( Stamford Town); women’s 4-bowl singles – Christine Ford (Ketton) v Tina Tinklin (Conservative); women’s 3-bowl rinks –
h Holroyd, Moira Holroyd & Ann Holmes (Stamford Town) v S Morton, Marisha McKernan & J Masters (Parkway).

4pm: women’s 2-bowl rinks – Joyce Needham, Kath Browning & V Hempsell (Yaxley) v Rita Downs, Sharon Bailey & K Bailey (Blackstones); women’s senior pairs – V Newson & Pat Reynold’s (Parkway) v Elizabeth Wallace & Carol Warters (Ketton); men’s 3-bowl triples – R Stevens, Graham Agger & Martin Welsford (WM) v Martyn Dolby, Jonathan Earl & Adam Warrington ( Blackstones); mixed pairs – L & S Harris (Blackstones) v Sarah & Jeff Newson (Parkway); mixed triples – S Suffling (Ketton), Martin Stokes & P Buckley (Blackstones ) v S Morton, S Law & S Morton ( Parkway).

6pm: Men’s pairs – Brian Martin and James Harford (Parkway) v S Harris & J Earl (Blackstones).

*Players must wear whites with white or club shirts (with club stickers). Team members will wear the same shirts.

Refreshments and bar facilities available. Raffle prizes welcome.

Double delight for Northants but Lincs qualify

Lincolnshire Federation reached the final of the Adams Trophy on Saturday (July 6) by beating Hunts by 60 shots at Sawtry (18-4) to qualify for Skegness in August. In the final, they will play either Derbyshire or Notts who meet in Derby at the weekend to also secure a place at EBF Championships.

In the Newton Trophy final, holders Suffolk will play the winners of the Cleveland v Humberside northern section decider at Ropner Park later this week.

For Northants’ teams in the two competitions, disappointingly their race was run very early in the campaign with successive defeats but despite last minute changes, both finished the season in some style by beating both Norfolk respectively at Holt and R G Carters in Norwich, compiling 17 identical points from three rink wins and a draw.

Jon Earl, the Adams team captain, had to dig deep for players to make the long trek to the East coast, 10 of whom loyally supported him from his home Blackstones club – and helped to provide three winning rinks in a closely fought tussle in drizzle conditions.

With all but one two-bowl triple to complete their 31 ends, the result rested on the Blackstones combination of Mark Pye, Sam Downes and Adam Warrington. However, they were able to maintain a steady shots accumulation to boost the overall total to 168-157 and eventually take the rink honours 37-20.

Elsewhere the winning margins were closer. Wayne Morris, Dusty Miller and Paul Bailey claimed a five-shot margin and Mike Humphreys, Martyn Dolby and Earl showed a gutsy resolve to edge home by two after trailing by six with seven ends to play.

Martin Welsford’s Whittlesey Manor rink, which included Mick Linnell at last making his elusive sixth appearance and subsequent Adams flash, picked up three shots on the last two ends to earn a creditable draw.

The triples, however, skipped by John Holroyd and Paul Buckley were frustrated in being unable to repel late Norfolk surges to steal valuable points.

With his wife Sue suffering a nasty fall which fractured her hip the day before the match at Carters, Newton captain Cliff Watson stepped down and Peterborough & District clubmate Colin Teat filled in on Roger Strong’s rink with Dave Roberts. It proved a successful combination, the trio winning by four shots to contribute to an overall 161-150 victory.

The rink prizes went to Les Sharp, Richard Allam and Malcolm Squires, who won 30-22, with Andy Dyer, Tony Kemp and stand-in captain Brian Bassam just missing out with a 27-20 win.

Also making his debut was senior pairs finalist Malcolm Mann, alongside Vanguard partner Mike Ramsden, whom, with county president Dick Noble, claimed a point sharing 46 shots.

Results (Northants names only):

Adams Trophy (at Holt BC): Norfolk 157 (5pts) Northants 168 (17). Mal Smith, Ally McNaughton, John Holroyd lost 22-27; Mike Humphreys, Martyn Dolby, Jon Earl won 30-28; Roger Stevens, Bob Warters, Paul Buckley lost 24-32; Wayne Morris, Dusty Miller, Paul Bailey won 31-26; Steve Roden, Mick Linnell, Martin Welsford drew 24-24; Sam Downes, Mark Pye, Adam Warrington won 37-20.

Newton Trophy (at RG Carter BC): Norfolk 150 (5) Northants 161 (17). Jeff Clipston, Peter Jessop, Fred Richardson lost 25-27; Dave Corney, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery lost 24-30; Colin Teat, Dave Roberts, Roger Strong won 32-28; Malcolm Nann, Mike Ramsden, Dick Noble drew 23-23; Les Sharp, Richard Allam, Malcolm Squires won 30-22; Andy Dyer, Tony Kemp, Brian Bassam won 27-20.

ONLY MAXIMUMS WILL DO FOR NORTHANTS WOMEN

Only a maximum 18 points will do at St Ives against Hunts on Wednesday if Northants’ women are to stand a chance of reaching the final of the prestigious Donald Steward Trophy at Skegness in August.

They are on 35 points, currently 27 behind leaders Norfolk in the southern section with two games in hand but second placed Suffolk still have 52 and must visit lowly North Essex where they are expected to win. Two maximum victories, however – they play North Essex at Ketton on July 17 – would take Northants just out of reach of their rivals.

Captain Joan Robinson has made a couple of subtle changes with Elizabeth Wallace switched to join Fiona Richardson and Gill Day and Norma Squires drafted in to the rink of Terri Handley and Julie Masters. A player has yet to be nominated to join Yaxley’s Kath Browning and Gill King.

The Silver Vase team will be joined by Val Du’Kett and Margaret Andrews in a re-shuffled side.

Donald Steward: (v Hunts at St Ives) : C Warters, S Suffling, C Ford; T Handley, N Squires, J Masters; F Richardson, E Wallace, G Day; K Browning, AN Other, G King; T Tinklin,L Hext, S Moir.

Silver Vase (v Hunts at Somersham): M Holden, J Padley, M Osbourne; V Slater, A Cox, V Hempsall; C Grief, C McCarthy, H Bass; V Du’Kett, M Andrews, A Northen; J Needham, L Toms, W Humphreys.

FOOTNOTE: Trophy holders from the 2018-19 indoor and outdoor season are requested to return their shields and silverware to the county secretary Mel Beck or the county finals at Blackstones BC, Stamford or by Sunday (July 14) for engraving. The trophies will be re-presented at annual NBF & NWBF awards at Orton Hall on September 22 by national presidents Mick Rayson and Carole Swann.

Setback for Donald Steward team

Northants’ women bowlers suffered a setback to their hopes of reaching the Donald Steward Trophy finals at Skegness for the first time in 25 years.

They were beaten 131-91 by Suffolk, claiming only two of the 18 points on offer.

It leaves Northants needing to grab maximum points from their last two matches – away to Hunts and home to North Essex – and for Suffolk to slip up at bottom of the table North Essex next week, an unlikely scenario.

Norfolk currently lead the table with 62 points, having completed their five fixtures. Suffolk have 52 with Northants on 35 after completing three fixtures.

Only the rink of Tina Tinklin, Liz Hext (both Conservative Club) and Sue Moir (Langtoft) emerged with points from the match at Borough of Eye in a 26-15 win.

The Ketton trio of Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford had a chance for two more but their opposition stole it 21-20.

It was a similar tale for the Silver Jubilee Vase at St Botolph’s BC who also conceded 16 points in a 23-shot defeat, where on Carol Grief (Crowland), Cheryl McCarthy and Hazel Bass (both Yaxley) were the only successes 30-20.

Results (Northants names only):

Donald Steawrd Trophy (at Borough of Eye) Suffolk 131 (16 pts) Northants 91 (2). C. Warters, S. Suffling, C. Ford lost 20 – 21; F. Richardson, N. Squires, M Landsburgh lost 19 – 26; K. Browning, M. Osbourne, G. King lost 11 – 38; T Tinklin, E. Hext, S. Moir won won 26 – 15; T. Handley, E. Wallace, J. Masters lost 15 – 31.

Silver Jubilee Vase (at St. Botolphs B.C.) : Suffolk 125 (16) Northants 102 (2). M. Holden, J. Padley, J. Cooper lost 26 – 27; J. Needham, L. Toms, W. Humphreys lost 24-27; V. Slater, A. Cox, V. Hempsell lost 17 – 21; C. Grief, C. McCarthy, H. Bass won 30 – 20; W. Stevens, W. Harrold, G. Day 12 – 33

At last a win for Northants’ Adams team

After a gruelling campaign so far – and three successive defeats – Northants’ Adams Trophy team at last chalked up a win, taking all but two of the 22 points at stake at North Essex.

They are out of running to win the southern section of the title they claimed in 2015 for the first time their history but Jonathan Earl’s team will be buoyed by the victory as they take on Norfolk at Holt on Saturday in the final game of the season.

In an idyllic setting, the beautifully prepared Radwinter green, proved the perfect surface for fast, touch bowling which suited the Northants players many of whom take to the indoor carpets during the winter months.

Indeed, Northants were rarely stretched, establishing an early 32-19 lead before extending it to 98-54 at halfway in the 31-end encounter. They led 125-72 after 20 ends before finally establishing a 187-124 victory margin.

For the third successive week Brian Martin and Stephen Harris took the rink honours, this time joined by Tom Fielding in a 41-15 rout.

Les Sharp, promoted from the Newton side, which didn’t have a game this week, finally achieved his Adams flash for completing six matches, though it has taken one of the county’s most loyal servants, nearly a decade! He helped Paul Bailey and Adam Warrington to a 28-16 win.

Mick Linnell, also guesting from the Newton, joined Mick Humphreys and Earl in a comfortable win while there were other victories for rinks skipped by Paul Buckley and Martin Welsford.

For Wittering’s Ally McNaughton the afternoon was bittersweet. He was awarded his county badge after completing his first three appearances for the Adams team but with Trevor Smith and John Holroyd was unfortunate to lose on the last end, conceding three shots to a displaced jack when leading 22-20.

Results (Northants names only):

Adams Trophy ( at Radwinter): North Essex 124 (2 pts), Northants 187 (20). M Humphreys, M Linnell, J Earl won 34-23; L Sharp, PBailey,A Warrington won 28-16; S Roden, G Agger,M Welsford won 29-25; T Smith, A McNaughton, J Holroyd lost 22-23; B Martin, S Harris, T Fielding won 41-15; R Stevens, B Warters, P Buckley won 33-22.

Another big win for rejuvenated Northants women

Northants’Donald Steward Trophy team at Ketton

North Cambs WBF before their Donald Steward match at Ketton

IN THEIR bid to reach the final of the prestigious inter-county Donald Steward Trophy for the first time in 25 years, Northants’ women bowlers kept up the pressure on their rivals with an emphatic defeat of North Cambs.

In their 144-93 victory they won on four of the five rinks and drew the other to claim 17 of the 18 points available following the 16 they picked up at Barnack defeating previously unbeaten Norfolk.

It means that Norfolk and Suffolk, who top the southern section with 43 and 36 points from four and three games respectively, will be looking over their shoulders at rejuvenated Northants, who have 33 points from two, with games in hand.

After a relatively slow start, Northants stepped up the pace thanks chiefly to the rinks skipped by Wendy Harrold (who switched with Myra Landsburgh after only a handful of ends) and Sue Moir who led 20-5 and 18-2 after ten.

By 15 ends Northants had increased their lead to 35 shots and with just five of the 25 ends remaining, the match was beyond reach for the visitors who were almost 50 adrift.

It was then just a case of how many points Northants could muster in their chase to make the finals at Skegness, which they last won in 1994 when they beat Nottinghamshire.

And credit here to the combination of Terri Handley, Julie Masters and Elizabeth Wallace who picked up singles in the last three ends to draw and the Yaxley trio of Marlene Osborne, Kath Browning and Gill King, shuffling every position in the game – as Federation rules permit – to claim eight shots in the last five ends and win 30-23.

The rink honours were shared between Ketton’s Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford who won 35-18 and the rink of Fiona Richardson, Landsburgh and Harrold who won 31-14.

Spare a thought for North Cambs and their president Sue Tolliday, as one of the Federation’s smallest counties. They battled hard on an unfamiliar surface in cool conditions but maintained a smile on their faces throughout and were munificent in defeat at the excellent post-match meal.

Results (Northants names only):

Donald Steward Trophy (at Ketton): Northants 144 (17 pts) North Cambs 93 (1). Fiona Richardson, Myra Landsburgh (City of Peterborough), Wendy Harrold ( Whittlesey Manor) won 31-14; Tina Tinklin, Liz Hext (both Conservative), Sue Moir (Langtoft)won 28-18;Terri Handley (Deeping BS), Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton), Julie Masters (Parkway) drew 20-20; Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford (all Ketton) won 35-18; Kath Browning, Marlene Osborne, Gill King (all Yaxley) won 30-23.

Northants travel next to Suffolk on Wednesday (July 3), play Hunts at St Ives on July 10 and finish with a re-arranged home game against North Essex at Ketton on July 17.

The Donald Steward team v Suffolk at Borough of Eye BC, shows only one change, with Norma Squires replacing Wendy Harrold in a rink which includes fellow City of Peterborough bowlers Fiona Richardson and Myra Landsburgh.

Team: C Warters, S Suffling, C Ford; F Richardson, N Squires, M Landsburgh; K Browning, M Osborne, G King; T Tinklin, E Hext, S Moir; T Handley, E Wallace, J Masters. Reserve D Flowers, captain J Robinson.

The Silver Vase team which plays at St Botolph’s at Botesdale is: M Holden, J Padley, J Cooper; C Grieff, C McCarthy, H Bass; J Needham, L Toms, W Humphreys; V Slater, A Cox, V Hempsall; W Stevens, W Harrold, G Day. Captain A Cooper.

Narrow Adams defeat and a win for Newton

Northants’ winless Adams Trophy season continued with a 16-6 home defeat at the Blackstones green against Hunts who came with a late surge of scoring to win by three shots.

With just a handful of ends to play and non-playing captain Jonathan Earl pacing the sidelines, clipboard in hand, Northants held a slender lead. But momentum suddenly switched to the visitors who picked up big counts in the closing stages as the home side stumbled.

Earlier, with Hunts struggling to come to terms with the slick surface, Northants led 32-4 after five ends, 99-71 after 15 and 144-130 with five ends to play, before their challenge collapsed.

Having dominated for long stretches Paul Dalliday, Mick Humphreys and Adam Warrington dropped six in the last three ends, Wayne Morris, Mark Pye and Tom Fielding – earning his Adams Badge for at least six appearances – conceded ten in the last three and Steve Roden, Graham Agger and Paul Bailey dropped a five count on the final end.

Elsewhere, Brian Martin, Stephen Harris and Martyn Dolby took the rink honours 30-23 – after leading 24-12 at 20 ends, while fightback of the day was provided by Roger Stevens, Bob Warters and Paul Buckley who tried almost every positional combination – as Federation rules allow – to recover a 16-22 deficit and win 29-26.

And in a ding-dong battle in which there was rarely a shot to separate the teams, Trevor Smith, Ally McNaughton and John Holroyd snatched victory from the jaws of a 24-25 deficit in the last two ends.

FOOTNOTE: In a generous gesture, former Adams Cup winner Roger Martin, who has been sidelined by illness this season, stepped in to buy a commiserating drink for each of the Northants team to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Result (Northants names only):

Adams Trophy (at Blackstones) : Northants 167 (6pts) Hunts 170 (16). R Stevens (Whittlesey Manor), B Warters (Ketton), P Buckley (Blackstones) won 29-26; P Dalliday (Parkway), M Humphreys, A Warrington (both Blackstones) lost 30-32; B Martin (Parkway), S Harris, M Dolby (Blackstones) won 30-23; W Morris, P Pye, T Fielding (all Blackstones) lost 21-27; S Roden, G Agger (both Whittlesey Manor), P Bailey (Blackstones) lost 30-37; T Smith (Blackstones), A McNaughton (Wittering), J Holroyd (Stamford Town) won 29-25.

VICTORY AT LAST FOR NEWTON TEAM

Finally Northants Newton team – who had also been on a three match losing streak – finally had something to cheer, taking 20 of the 22 points available at home to Hunts at City of Peterborough.

With a steady accumulation of points throughout the 31-end, two-bowl triples match over six rinks, it was a good morale booster for the team’s final game against Norfolk on July 6.

While the Conservative/Peterborough and District combination of Andy Dyer, Tony Kemp and Brian Bassam took the rink honours convincingly 41-15 for the second consecutive week, the only defeat came on Malcolm Squires rink – with Martin Stokes and Cliff Watson – who got within two shots before losing 24-23.

Results (Northants names only):

Newton Trophy ( at City of Peterborough): Northants 180 (20pts) Hunts 137 (2).
J Clipston (P&D), P Jessop (West Ward), F Richardson (CoP) won 28-25; M Stokes (Balckstones), C Watson (P & D), M Squires (CoP) lost 24-33; D Corney (P & D), Z Brown, D Noble (P & D ) won 29-18; A Dyer, T Kemp (Conservative), B Bassam (P & D) won 41-15; D Roberts (Market Deeping), M Linnell (WM), R Strong (CoP) won 28-25;
L Sharp (Yaxley), M Greaves, Alec Emery (P&D) won 30-21.

Northants women rattle the league leaders

Northants Donald Steward team ahead of their win over Norfolk at Barnack (image is only low resolution)

Northants Silver Jubilee Vase team before their match with Norfolk at City of Peterborough BC.

WITH THE KETTON green still unfit after the recent deluge, Northants Women’s Bowling Federation switched its Donald Steward Trophy match against previously, unbeaten Norfolk to Barnack – and caused a big upset.

After the visitors had scored convincing wins over North Cambs, Hunts and Suffolk to lead the table, they were promptly put in their place by Northants, playing their opening game of the season.

Despite the unfamiliar venue, the home side won by 26 shots and claimed all but two of the 18 points available.

Leading the way was the reshuffled rink of Terri Handley, Elizabeth Wallace and the experienced Julie Masters mastering the Barnack green with an impressive 29-12 win.

They kept their Norfolk opponents to just two shots in the last 15 of the 25-end match, a crucial factor in claiming the overall points.

Once they were 20 shots ahead from the tenth end, Northants kept their foot on the gas and never relinquished more than a 16-shot overall lead.

Rinks skipped by Gill King, Sue Moir and Gill Day also contributed to the points while, captain Joan Robinson also praised president and skip Chris Ford’s only losing rink.

“Everyone played their part and even the 15 shots Christine’s rink contributed was vital to the overall success. Every player made me very proud,” she added.

“This is my fourth year as captain and it has been a steep learning curve for everyone. But now we have a happy squad of players gelling together,” said Robinson, who picked out special praise for county secretary Terri Handley making her Donald Steward debut.

“She was very nervous at the start but led marvellously.”

The Barnack club was also praised for rallying round to produce a late change of venue.

Against Norfolk in the Silver Jubilee Vase at City of Peterborough, Northants won on only two rinks in a 4-14 defeat, scoring 100 shots, while conceding 122.

Rinks skipped by Myra Landsburgh and Hazel Bass were the points scorers.

The next match is for the Donald Steward team against North Cambs at Ketton on Wednesday June 26 (1pm).

Results (Northants names only):

Donald Steward Trophy (at Barnack): Northants 122 (16 pts) Norfolk 96 (2). Tina Tknklin, Liz Hext (Conservative) Sue Moir (Langtoft) won 25-18; Kath Browning, Marlene Osbourne, Gill King ( all Yaxley) won 28-26; Fiona Richardson (City of Peterborough), Wendy Harrold (Whittlesey Manor), Gill Day (CoP) won 25-17; Terri Handley (Deeping AS), Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton), Julie Masters (Parkway) won 29-12; Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Christine Ford (all Ketton) lost 15-23.

Silver Jubilee Vase (at City of Peterborough):Northants 100 (4) Norfolk 122 (14). J. Needham, L. Toms, M. Landsburgh won 28 – 19; M. Holden, M. Andrew, A. Northen lost 14 – 33; C. Grief, C. McCarthy, H. Bass won 25 – 18; V. Slater, A. Cox, V. Hempsell lost 18 – 22. J. Cooper, V. Du’Kett, W. Humphreys lost 15-30.

Still looking for first wins

Northants Federation bowlers complete their home fixtures in the Adams and Newton Trophy inter-county competitions on Saturday (June 22) with the respective visits of Hunts to Blackstones and City of Peterborough (2pm).

Adams captain Jon Earl faces some difficult team selection following defeats by Suffolk and Lincs but Newton captain Cliff Watson has confirmed he will step in for the unavailable Richard Allam in a rink skipped by Malcolm Squires.

The Adams team is likely to be selected from J Earl (capt); W Morris, M Pye, T Fielding; B Martin, S Harris, M Dolby; S Roden, G Agger, P Bailey; T Smith, A McNaughton, J Holroyd; R Stevens, B Warters, P Buckley; P Dalliday, M Humphreys, A Warrington.

Newton team: Jeff Clipston, Fred Richardson,Peter Jessop; Dave Roberts,Mick Linnell, Roger Strong; Andy Dyer, Tony Kemp ,Brian Bassam; Les Sharp,Mick Greaves, Alec Emery; Martin Stokes, Cliff Watson, Malc Squires; Dave Corney, Zac Brown and Dick Noble.

JIM FORSYTH DIES AGED 68

Jim Forsyth a former Peterborough & District Indoor bowler died on Sunday June 16. He was 68.

He was an exceptionally good lead playing with his Jeff Newson and won many county and individual honours in the 1980s and ’90s. For several years he was treasurer of Crowland Bowls Club.

Donald Steward opener switched to Barnack

Northants women were due to play North Essex in the inter-county Donald Steward competition on Wednesday, June 12) but the match has been postponed because of a waterlogged Ketton green.

It has been re-arranged for Wednesday July 17, bringing forward a proposed ‘Strawberry Tea’ event in support of charity and club funds to Tuesday, July 16.

On Wednesday, June 19 the Donald Steward team were again due to play at Ketton against Norfolk but torrential rain has continued to rule the green unfit.

However, Barnack has stepped in to offer their green to complete the fixture.

The Silver Vase team are due to play their Norfolk counterparts at City of Peterborough (both 1pm starts).

The Donald Steward team is selected from Fiona Richardson, Wendy Harrold, Linda Darani; Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Christine Ford; Tina Tinklin, Liz Hext, Sheila Craig; Kath Browning, Marlene Osbourne, Gill King, Sue Moir, Elizabeth Wallace, Julie Masters.Reserves: Terri Handley, Norma Squires, Gill Day. Captain Joan Robinson (Yaxley).

The Silver Vase team is:Joyce Needham, Linda Toms, Joan Padley; Maggie Holden, Margaret Andrews, Ann Northen;Carol Grief, C. McCarthy, Hazel Bass; V. Slater, Angela Cox, Viv Hempsell; J. Cooper, Val Du’Kett, Wendy Humphreys. Reserves: Judy Ford, Myra Landsburgh. Captain: Mrs. Ann. Cooper.

Adams and Newton teams lose at Lincs

Northants Federation’s Adams Trophy team – winners of the competition in 2015 – suffered its second successive defeat in the current campaign on Saturday. This time Lincolnshire inflicted an 18-4 points mauling following last week’s 19-3 loss at home to holders Suffolk.

Despite the recall of several players on Middleton Cup duty last week or previously unavailable, on a green that played into the hands of the more familiar home players, Northants quickly found themselves 24 shots adrift overall by 10 ends and 64-95 behind five ends later.

They rallied briefly to cut the deficit to just 16 by the 25th end thanks chiefly to a burst of scoring by rinks skipped by Martyn Dolby, Lee Welsford and Simon Law but the Lincolnshire side in which Jonathan West, Trevor Bannister and newly appointed deputy junior president Paul Hudson were outstanding, finally ran out winners by 29 shots.

At Grantham, Northants’s Newton Trophy team lost 191-161, claiming just five of the 22 points at stake with two rink wins and a draw.

However, captain Cliff Watson said: “It was a slightly better result for us (than experienced against North Cambs and Suffolk) but still lacking the morale-boosting team win.”

On a cold and wet day at Grantham Bowls, an excellent facility new to the Newton side, some players, he said, adapted well after a very shaky first five ends and after 20 ends Northants were only one shot adrift.

“That was the high point,” he added ” and it was downhill after that apart from Brian Bassam’s rink whom, with Conservative’s Andy Dyer and Tony Kemp, stuck to their task to claim two vital points (37-21).

Bassam’s clubmate Alec Emery also managed to save his rink on the last end to win by three, while county president Dick Noble scrambled a final shot to claim a draw on the final end.

“Hopefully our last home game in a fortnight against Hunts will provide us with that elusive win.”

Results (Northants names only):

Adams Trophy (at Burton House, Boston): Lincolnshire 180 (18 pts) Northants 151 (4). Brian Martin (Parkway), Stephen Harris, Martyn Dolby (both Blackstones) won 38-15; Paul Dalliday (Parkway), Bob Warters (Ketton), Simon Law (P) won 31-22; Steve Roden (Whittlesey Manor), Tom Fielding (B), Lee Welsford (WM) lost 22-24; Mick Humphreys, Jon Earl, Adam Warrington (all B) lost 16-45; Neil Wright (P), Graham Agger (WM), Peter Brown (WM) lost 18-40; Roger Stevens (WM), John Holroyd (Stamford Town), Paul Buckley (B) lost 26-24.

Newton Trophy (at Grantham): Lincs 191 (17) Northants 161 (5). Richard Allam (Stamford Town), Martin Stokes (Blackstones) Malcolm Squires (City of Peterborough) lost 24 – 44; Jeff Clipston (Peterborough & District) Peter Jessop (WestWard), Fred Richardson (CoP) lost 18 – 28; Dave Corney P & D), Zac Brown & Dick Noble (both WM) drew 30 – 30; Les Sharp (Y), Mick Greaves and Alec Emery (both P & D) won 32 – 29; Andy Dyer, Tony Kemp (both Conservative), Brian Bassam (P&D) won 37 – 21; Dave Roberts (Market Deeping), Mick Linnell, Roger Strong (WM) lost 20 – 39.