England – and Northants – expects!….

Despite the distraction of England’s footballers playing Sweden in the quarter-final of the World Cup at the same time, Northants Federation bowlers take on Norfolk in both the Adams And Newton Trophies on Saturday afternoon.

The Adams team are at Blackstones, within yards of the social club and its wide screen TV, while the Newton are at City of Peterborough, where regular updates are also bound to affect concentration.

Says Newton captain Cliff Watson: “We’re looking to restore some pride after a varied batch of results, which are the building blocks for next year. A win will put us mid table which is the best we can hope for.”

The Newton team is : Fred Addy,Tony Kemp and Barry Lawrence; Peter Cox, Cliff Watson and Peter Jessop; Sean Fenlon, Jeff Clipston and Fred Richardson; Les Sharp, Zac Brown and Dick Noble; Martin Stokes, Richard Allam and Malc Squires; Dave Corney, Mick Greaves and Brian Bassam. Reserve Jim Ruddy.

Adams captain Jonathan Earl is likely to field a similar team to that which beat North Essex last week.

Both matches start at 2pm and will probably have played 10 ends by the time England get under way. BW

Confidence booster for Northants Adams squad

Following successive defeats against Suffolk and Hunts, Northants claimed only their second Adams Trophy win of the season – in a one-sided victory at home to North Essex at the Blackstones green, intimately familiar to at least 10 of the 18 Northants players.

Jonathan Earl’s squad desperately needed a confidence boost following two reversals in the last fortnight and got it at the visitors’ expenses clawing back 19 points from a miserable season from the 22 available, with four winning rinks and a draw.

In the 239-132 overall shots victory, only the rink of Howard Shipp, Paul Bailey and Adam Warrington failed to collect points and were behind all the way in a 30-31 defeat. The Whittlesey Manor trio of Steve Roden, Graham Agger and Peter Brown shared 58 shots over 31 ends.

Elsewhere Neil Wright, the returning John Holroyd and Mick Duell took the rink honours with 48-10 win, their shots difference clinching it by one from Roger Martin’s rink (49-12) and by seven from Earl (49-18).

Paul Buckley’s Blackstone rink led by 11 with six ends to go but were given a scare late on to squeeze home by just two shots.

Northants Adams entertain Norfolk on Saturday at Blackstones (July 7), while the Newton Trophy team are at City of Peterborough.

Results (Northants names only):

Adams Trophy (at Blackstones): Northants 239 (19 pts) North Essex 132 (3). h Shipp, P Bailey, A Warrington lost 30-31; J Corney, M Humphreys, R Martin won 49-12; S Roden, G Agger, P Brown drew 29-29; N Wright, J Holroyd, M Duell won 48-10; S Harris, M Dolby, J Earl won 49-18; W Morris, T Fielding, P Buckley won 34-32.

Wins in Norwich give Northants women a boost

Wins by both the Northants women’s Federation county teams at Norfolk gave them a real boost in sweltering conditions but may have come too late to qualify in the Donald Steward and Silver Jubilee Vase competitions.

Northants play title favourites Suffolk on July 11 in their final matches at Peterborogh and by then will probably need maximum points and for other fixtures to have gone in their favour.

However, with temperatures soaring both five-rink teams did magnificently to maintain their form and composure, with the Donald Steward team winning 123-99 at County Arts BC and picking up 17 valuable points.

The Vase team claimed 14 points in a 12-shot overall victory at the Carters venue under the flight path of Norwich Airport.

Results (Northants names only):

Donald Steward Trophy (at County Arts BC): Norfolk 99 (1pt)
Northants 123 (17). F. Richardson, C. Grief & L. Darani won 22 – 15; T. Tinklin, E. Hext & S. Craig drew 22 – 22;N. Squires, W. Harrold & S. Moir won 27 – 25; E. Wallace, S. Suffling & C. Ford won 25 – 22; M. Osbourne, K. Browning & G. King won 27 – 15.

Silver Jubilee Vase at RG Carters BC). Norfolk 124 (4) Northants 112 (14). P. Collicott, L. Toms & H. Bass lost 19 – 28; H. Holroyd, J. Kendall & E. Barr won 24 – 23; V. Slater, J. Needham & J. Phillips won 29 -18; M. Holden, C. Warters & W. Humphreys lost 19 – 23;
T. Handley, P O’Brien & V. Du’Kett won 33 – 20.

FLOWERS PICKED IN MARCH!
After beating Norfolk in Norwich, Northants women have made one change for the visit to March Town on Wednesday (July 4) to play North Cambs in the Donald Steward Trophy.

Doris Flowers (Yaxley) replaces Wendy Harrold in Sue Moir’s rink, alongside Norma Squires.

Team: F Richardson, C Grief, L Darani; T Tinklin, E Hext, S Craig; N Squires, D Flowers, S Moir; E Wallace, S Suffling, C Ford; M Osbourne, K Browning, G King. Res. J Padley.

Hunts extend Adams team’s losing streak

Northants lost their third successive Adams Trophy match when they faced Hunts on a Sawtry green which tested every facet of a bowler’s game – especially their patience.

The preparation of the green couldn’t be faulted but at least half the team were frustrated they were unable to produce the shots they needed to overcome a slick, unforgiving surface.

However, Howard Shipp, Neil Wright and Mick Duell followed up their good form against Lincolnshire the previous week with an outstanding 10-shot victory scoring seven shots in the last two ends.

Jack Corney, Mick Humphreys and Roger Martin also finished with a flourish, recording 13 shots in the last five ends from a 23-27 deficit, while Martyn Dolby celebrated his golden wedding by nailing the jack on the last of 31 ends to secure a 27-26 win for himself, Bob Warters and skip Paul Buckley.

Elsewhere the end rinks proved problematical for the two-bowl triples skipped by Martin Welsford and captain Jonathan Earl.

Said Earl: “On our rink we tried every combination of position (as Federation rules allow) in an attempt to get to grips with the green but none of us consistently found the pace or the lines. Hunts did and they deserved their win.”

Results (Northants names only)

Adams Trophy (at Sawtry): Hunts 185 (16 pts) Northants 164 (6). G Agger, T Mace, M Welsford lost 30-36; H Shipp, N Wright, M Duell won 34-24; B Warters, M Dolby, P BuckEly won 27-26; J Corney, M Humphreys, R Martin won 36-27; S Roden, P Bailey, A Warrington lost 19-32; S Harris, T Fielding J Earl lost 18-40.

FOOTNOTE: Steve Roden (Whittlesey Manor) received a tie to commemorative 100 appearances for the county. Howard Shipp (Parkway) received a county flash for six appearances.

Northants’ Newton Trophy side, still licking their wounds after the home defeat by Lincolnshire, returned to form with a runaway victory at Hunts (188-149) picking up 17 of the 22 points available.

Said captain Cliff Watson :” I had never before been to the Holywell & Needingworth club, but everybody agreed it was a well organised, quality facility.

“The numbers suggest an easy win but it was very close up to 20 ends before a massive comeback on Fred Richardson’s rink who were 14-31 adrift after 20 ends and pulled it back to 31-35 after 31 ends. Credit, too, a rapid push for the line by Deputy President Dick Noble’s rink who went from 19-16 to 40-17 in 11 ends.

“Overall a pleasing performance from a changed team which leaves me some choices for our last match away to Norfolk on July 7,” he added.

Result (Northants names only):

Newton Trophy: Hunts 149 (5) Northants 188 (17).Jeff Clipston, Dave Corney and Fred Richardson lost 31-35; Les Sharp, Zac Brown and Dick Noble won 40-17; Peter Cox, Cliff Watson and Peter Jessop won 40-17; Fred Addy, Brian Bassam and Barry Lawrence drew 25-25; Sean Fenlon, Jim Ruddy and Mick Greaves lost 21-30; Martin Stokes, Richard Allam and Malcolm Squires won 31-25.

THIS WEEK: Northants Adams team are at home (Blackstones BC) to North Essex (2pm). Newton team has no game.

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.