Ahead of Northants Women’s Federation’s series of county matches in the Donald Steward Trophy and Silver Jubilee Vase, Ketton’s Christine Ford staged her President’s Day at her home club at which more than 30 bowlers attended.

As part of their 45th anniversary celebrations, Ketton Bowls Club will host matches in the Donald Steward competition against North Essex (June 12 at 1pm), Norfolk (June 19) and North Cambs (June 26). The team will be away to Suffolk and Hunts on July 3 and 10 respectively.

The Donald Steward team to play North Essex is: Fiona Richardson, Gill Day, Linda Darani ( all City of Peterborough); Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Christine Ford ( all Ketton); Tina Tinklin, Liz Hext, Sheila Craig ( all Conservative BC); Kath Browning, Marlene Osbourne, Gill King ( all Broadway, Yaxley); Norma Squires (CoP), Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton), Julie Masters (Parkway). Reserves: Terri Handley (Deeping), Sue Moir (Langtoft), Myra Landsburgh (CoP). Captain: Joan Robinson (Yaxley).

The Silver Vase team will host Norfolk at City of Peterborough on June 19 and visit Suffolk and Hunts on July 3 and 10.

The Silver Vase team is: Joyce Needham (Yaxley), Maggie Holden (Ketton), Carol Grief (Crowland); Pat Collicott (Deeping BA), Margaret Andrews (Barnack), Linda Toms (Conservative); Pearl O’Brien (Langtoft), Ann Northen (Langtoft), Hazel Bass (Yaxley); V Slater (Crowland), J Cooper, Angela Cox (Langtoft); Val Du’Kett (Ketton), Viv Hempsall (Yaxley), Wendy Humphreys (City of Peterborough) . Res Judy Ford (Yaxley), C McCarthy. Captain , Ann Cooper (Yaxley).

Mrs Ford is pictured with her guests at Ketton, which helped to raise funds for the NWBF.

Former national inter county Federation winners Northants begin their Adams Cup campaign on Saturday (June 1) with the visit of defending champions Suffolk to the Blackstones green in Stamford (2pm).

It has been a difficult build up for Northants captain Jonathan Earl with several of his first-choice players either on holiday or committed elsewhere. But he is confident, with home advantage, the county can put a dent in their visitors’ aspirations.

Among those recalled to the team are Trevor Smith (Blackstones) and Brian Martin & Howard Shipp (Parkway) while Wittering’s Ally McNaughton (Wittering) makes his debut alongside Earl.

The team is: Brian Martin (Parkway), Stephen Harris & Martyn Dolby (both Blackstones); Steve Roden (Whittlesey Manor), Tom Fielding (Blackstones) , Lee Welsford (Whittlesey Manor); John Holroyd (Stamford Town), Graham Agger & Martin Welsford (both Whittlesey Manor); Howard Shipp (Parkway), Paul Bailey & Adam Warrington (both Blackstones); Bob Warters (Ketton), Mick Humphreys & Paul Buckley (both Blackstones); Trevor Smith (Blackstones), Ally McNaughton (Wittering), Jon Earl (Blackstones).

The Northants Newton Trophy side host 2018 champions Suffolk simultaneously at City of Peterborough BC (2pm) hoping to recover some pride from last week’s home defeat by North Cambs.

Having reached the final of the Newton Trophy just two years ago, Northants Federation’s second string were looking for a good start to the 2019 campaign against a North Cambs outfit able only to field one team in the Federation championships and in recent years the whipping boys in the top Adams division.

However, under new rules, the team which normally gathers its players from the Kings Lynn, Downham Market and Wisbech area, was rejuvenated in its first season among the county reserve teams of Norfolk, Hunts, Suffolk, Lincs and Northants.

Playing an aggressive style of bowls that at times caught Cliff Watson’s team off guard, North Cambs captured all six two-bowl triples rinks, stacking up a 53-shot victory at the City of Peterborough club and claimed all 22 points.

Commented a shocked Watson: ” I have just come from a dark place. The new North Cambs squad are going to do some damage now that they are competing against county second strings.

“I suspect there is going to be some bleating about single county teams competing in the Newton (traditionally for reserve sides) when the national annual meeting comes round but, though we didn’t play badly overall, we got beaten by players attacking and trailing the jack.”

Even the combination of Peter Brown – who has elected to join the Hunts EBA Middleton Cup campaign, with occasional sorties alongside his son Zac and Dave Corney in the Newton squad, couldn’t stop the Cambs rampage, losing 24-25.

Elsewhere there was a narrow 24-27 defeat for new cap Dave Roberts, Brian Bassam and Roger Strong.

This weekend Northants entertain Suffolk in the Newton at City of Peterborough, while the Northants Adams team hosts Suffolk at Blackstones.

Result (Northants names only):

Newton Trophy: Northants 136 (0) North Cambs 183 (22). Richard Allam, Martin Stokes and Malc Squires lost 24 – 30; Dave Roberts, Brian Bassam and Roger Strong lost 24 – 27; Andy Dyer, Tony Kemp and Dick Noble lost 18 – 35; Les Sharp, Mick Greaves and Alec Emery lost 20 – 30; Dave Corney, Zac Brown and Peter Brown lost 24 – 25; Jeff Clipston, Peter Jessop and Fred Richardson lost 26 – 36.

Northants Bowling Federation has strengthened its Newton Trophy team in a bid to recapture the form that got them to the final in 2017 when they were narrowly beaten by Humberside.

For the home fixture against North Cambs at City of Peterborough on Saturday, May 25, Pete Brown (Whittlesey Manor) steps down from the Adams team to join his son Zac in a rink alongside experienced lead Dave Corney. Zac will be the third generation bowler to represent the county.

New faces, named by captain Cliff Watson, include Andy Dyer (Conservative) and Dave Roberts (Market Deeping), while Roger Strong (City of Peterborough) is among those making a return.

The Adams team, captained by Jonathan Earl, begin their campaign on his home turf at Blackstones, in Stamford against Suffolk. He has yet to announce his squad.

Northants Newton team v North Cambs: Richard Allam, Martin Stokes, Malcolm Squires; Dave Roberts, Brian Bassam, Roger Strong; Jeff Clipston, Peter Jessop, Fred Richardson; Andy Dyer, Tony Kemp, Barry Lawrence; Dave Corney, Zac Brown, Peter Brown; Les Sharp, Mick Greaves and Alec Emery. Reserves Dick Noble and Mick Linnell.

Newton fixtures: May 25 (at City of Peterborough) v North Cambs; June 8 (at Grantham) v Lincs; June 22(at City of Peterborough) v Hunts; July 6 (at Carters, Norwich) v Norfolk.

Adams Trophy fixtures: June 1 (at Blackstones) v Suffolk; June 8 ( at Burton House, Boston) v Lincs; June 22 (at Blackstones) v Hunts; June 22 (at Radwinter) v North Essex; July 6 (at Holt) v Norfolk.

Hail stones cover the Manor green.

Pete Brown and Jon Earl enjoy the spectacle.

Martin Welsford receives the trophy from Mary Dickenson watched by President Dick Noble.

BOWLERS are used to the odd shower of rain, wind debris or even too much sun interrupting their game but the annual match between a team brought together by Northants Bowling Federation President Dick Noble and the host club Whittlesey Manor for the John Dickenson Memorial Trophy was somewhat different…

Hail stopped play!

With the game delicately balanced in the President’s favour and only 18 of the scheduled 21 ends played, the players were pelted by hail stones and sent scurrying from the green while the shower abated and the icy particles, which had turned the surface white, melted.

After a short break, however, this group of hardy bowlers recovered their woods and resumed. This time the Manor bowlers recovered their form and after a scoring dispute was sorted, Martin Welsford, the Manor president, received the trophy from John’s widow Mary, reflecting on victory by just one shot!

Said Dick Noble, who is officiating over the Federation’s 90th year and will stage an anniversary match at Whittlesey Manor on August 4: “Apart from the weather, it was a great day, even though it took three re-counts to settle the score!”

Winning skips for the Manor included Peter Brown, Tony Mace and Martin Welsford, while Noble, Mick Greaves and Alec Emery were successful for the president’s team.

A magnificent buffet was provided by the ladies of the Whittlesey Manor Club.

Result (NBF names first):

Dickenson Trophy: Northants Federation 108 Whittlesey Manor 109. M.Humphreys,P.Buckley and J.Earl lost to S.Roden, C.Trueman and P.Brown 11-21;R.Allam,M.Stokes and M.Greaves beat R.Hunt, A.Penfold and M.Duell 21-12; J.Clipston, D.Ford and Dick Noble beat P.Burbridge, B.Burbridge and S.Woodcock 23-20;A.Dyer, T.Kemp and B.Lawrence lost to R.Stevens, I.Smith and M.Welsford 16-24;L.Sharp, M.Linnell and A.Emery beat S.Agger, C.Brown and L.Welsford 22-13; D.Roberts, B.Bassam and R.Strong lost to B.Tate, R.Stark and T.Mace 15-19 TOTAL:- NBF 108 MANOR 109

Derbyshire winners, from the left (front row) Adam Warrington, Tristan Morton, Mick Humphreys, Dick Noble (president), James Harford, Trevor Collins, Martyn Dolby (back row) Bob Warters, Roger Martin, Simon Law, Paul Dalliday, Nick Wilkie, Jeff Newson.

President and captain immediately after the presentation.

Action from the final

Jeff Newson takes a closer look

Tristan Morton and Martyn Dolby

Northants president Dick Noble with national president Mick Rayson

FOR ONLY the third time in its history and in its 90th anniversary year, Northants Bowling Federation won the coveted Derbyshire Trophy – the English Bowling Federation’s inter-county title.

In the final at Newark IBC on Sunday (April 28), Northants A beat Nottinghamshire 97-80 on their home surface over 25 enthralling ends, winning on three out of four rinks played in a match of two-bowl triples format.

Northants had emerged full of confidence from a tough southern area qualifying group featuring Lincs, Hunts, North Cambs and Norfolk while Notts – who have also indicated they plan to introduce a B team next season – completed an unbeaten campaign against Northumberland, Durham and Humberside.

Led by captain James Harford, Northants quickly got into their stride, despite unfamiliar conditions of a slower carpet to that which all but one of the team are used to experiencing at Stamford IBC – and under overhead lighting that had most players peering through the comparative gloom.

Overall they led by just six shots after five ends and only 35-30 after ten ends before stretching it to 59-45 with ten ends still to play by each rink.

Against the experienced Dave Adams, Simon Law was in outstanding form inspiring his rink of Paul Dalliday and Harford to 15 shots in 11 ends and an eventual 24-19 victory.

Meanwhile, the wily Jeff Newson – a Derbyshire Trophy winner with Northants back in 1996 – showed that he had lost none of his old skills in the 23 intervening years. With Nick Wilkie and Trevor Collins, the trio ran out triumphant 25-16.

Elsewhere, Roger Martin’s rink was finding it difficult coming to terms with the conditions so as Federation rules allow the skip switched with lead Adam Warrington after 13 ends and it immediately paid dividends cutting the scoreline to 17-19 by the 17th end. But a five count against them on the 20th end put them on the back foot. However, they held gamely to keep the overall deficit manageable.

In the end, the rink honours went to Bob Warters, Martyn Dolby, the two most senior members of the squad and Tristan Morton – a young title winner in 2006. With the front pair in control for the most part – they led 10-2 and 14-7 before a dip in the middle, brought two devastatingly accurate killed ends by Morton and two superbly drawn saving shots to keep the rink’s noses in front.

Normal service was resumed, however, from the 18th end and the rink’s 12 shots in seven ends put the result and the match beyond doubt.

A delighted Northants president Dick Noble – a winning team member in 2006 – joined in the celebrations and said what a proud moment it was for him to be president on this momentous occasion.

Results (Northants names first):

Derbyshire Trophy final (at Newark): A Warrington, M Humphreys, R Martin lost to S Ayling, D Rouse, N Osbourne 21-31; N Wilkie, T Collins, J Newson beat D Colley,M Lenton,P Dayus 25-16; B Warters,M Dolby, T Morton beat M Walker, A Brownley, R Pearce 27-14; P Dalliday, J Harford, S Law beat A Rana, D Gascoyne, D Adams 24-19.

(Images courtesy of Malcolm Squires)

FOOTNOTE: During the individual championships earlier in the week, Helen Holroyd was the only county bowler to reach a final – the women’s four-bowl singles. It was due to be played on Sunday morning against Anne Lennie (Northumberland). However, a previous commitment meant Ms Holroyd failed to appear.

Bob Warters

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Helen Holroyd, Chris Ford and Eva Dayes (Humberside)

Northants scored a narrow first round women’s triples win over Norfolk. From the left are Chris Ford, June Brennan and Denise Mackie.

Pictured after their first round triples win against Northumberland, Adam Warrington, Martyn Dolby and Jon Earl with NBF president Dick Noble.

The Holroyd family secured a shock first round win over Northumberland in the mixed pairs. They are pictured with Dick Noble (NBF president), their opposition and Northumberland president Karen Weites.

Nice shoes, Adam! With Forterra-sponsored shirt and at last a sparkling pair of bowls shoes to replace the much-loved ones he has worn for almost decades, Adam Warrington in action at Newark.

NORTHANTS Bowling Federation bowlers gave the county a promising start to the national championships at Newark on Wednesday, when the Blackstones trio of Adam Warrington, Jon Earl and Martyn Dolby came through their opening round 25-17.

But against three from Northumberland, it was closer than the score might suggest. After trailing early on, the Stamford triple surged into a 16-9 lead only to see it whittled away to 20-17 with an end to play.

A five count on the last, however, was enough to see them through to a clash with Derbyshire’s former winners Ashley Clipston, Gary Shepperson and Russell Robinson who earlier beat Richard Vinter’s Lincolnshire rink.

In the women’s rinks June Brennan, Denise Mackie – substituting for Jan Want – and Christine Ford, were up against Norfolk. They eventually scrambled over the line 20-19 to earn a second round tie with North Essex.

And in the mixed triples, the Holroyd family – Moira and John and daughter Helen faced the formidable Northumberland trio of John Dobinson, Annie Lennie and Herbie Blacklock.

But despite dropping three shots on the last end they won 20-19. They lost 14-21 in the second round to Notts who went down 8-22 to Nick Brett, his daughter Chloe and Ed Elmore in the final

Sadly Northants’ hopes of progression in both men’s and women’s triples disciplines ended the same day. The Blackstones three never quite got to grips with a tricky rink two against an experience Derbyshire outfit, losing 21-13.

As for NWBF president Ford’s rink, they fought gamely against North Essex but despite switching positions midway as Federation rules allow they finally bowed out 21-15.

There were wins on Thursday for Chris Ford and Helen Holroyd respectively,in the senior and four-bowl singles over Hunts and Humberside bowlers.

Stephen and Louise Harris also won in the mixed pairs but no joy for Paul Dalliday in the four-bowl singles, beaten by Mike Smith from Suffolk.

MEN’S COMPETITIONS

Wednesday, April 24 : 2-bowl Rinks – Adam Warrington, Jon Earl, Martyn Dolby beat R Symonds, K Blacklock & C Knott (Northumberland)25-17; Northants lost to Derbyshire 13-21.

Mixed rinks – Moira, Helen & John Holroyd beat A Lennie, R Dobinson, H Blacklock (Northumberland) 20-19; Northants lost to Notts 14-20.

Thursday, April 25: 4-bowl Singles – Paul Dalliday lost Mike Smith (Suffolk)7-21.Mixed pairs – Louise & Stephen Harris beat P Rolf & R Greef (Norfolk)18-12. (6.30 pm) Northants v Durham (ALawton & M Charles).

Friday, April 26 (9.30 am) Pairs – James Harford & Simon Law lost to D Hall & L Creaser (Humberside) 12-19.Senior singles – Martyn Dolby lost to P Cox (Humberside)15-21.

Friday, April 26 (7.30pm) Under 25 Open singles – Helen Holroyd lost to Ed Elmore (Hunts) 2-21.

Sunday, April 28 (1pm) : Derbyshire Trophy final: Northants v Nottinghamshire.

WOMEN

Wednesday, April 24 (12.30pm) :Rinks – June Brennan, Jan Want, Chris Ford beat S Stacey, J Kirby & G Xuereb (Norfolk)20-18. 3.30pm Northants lost to North Essex 15-21.

Thursday, April 25: Senior singles – Chris Ford beat Jane Baldwin (Hunts) 21-10.4-bowl Singles semi-final – Helen Holroyd beat Eva Dayes (Humberside) 21-13.

Friday, April 26: Pairs – Louise Harris & Helen Holroyd beat P Gooch & L Alexander (Suffolk) 19-8; senior singles – C Ford (Northants) lost to E Dayes (Humberside) 10-21;(5pm)- Pairs – Holroyd and Harris lost J Earl and M Wilson (Lincs) 9-29.

From the left: Doris Flowers, Vivienne Hempsell, Chris Ford, Terri Handley, Glenys Edwards, Joan Robinson.

THE EXECUTIVE members of the Northants Women’s Bowling Federation finished third in the Harry Carver Trophy at Newark IBC – one of their best finishes since the county won the inaugural event in 1977.

Playing a two-rink triples format, the team of Joan Robinson, Doris Flowers & Viv Hempsell and Glenys Edwards, Terri Handley and NWBF President Christine Ford beat Cleveland, Derbyshire and North Cambs losing only to Suffolk.

They finished with 12 points, two behind the host county Notts and one less than Lincolnshire. 12 counties took part.

In the men’s equivalent last week – the Eversley Trophy in which they were defending champions – the Northants men’s executive team of Richard Montgomery, Les Sharp, Malcolm Squires, Cliff Watson, Graham Agger and President Dick Noble finished 6th of nine counties – seven points behind winners Durham.