Northants women’s hopes of qualifying for either the Donald Steward or Silver Jubilee Vase competition were finally dashed in Suffolk – both teams returning pointless after a 170-mile round trip journey into East Anglia.

The senior Donald Steward team lost 68-132 at Eye while the Vase bowlers went down 79-135.

On a beautifully manicured green at Eye, the Suffolk players dominated and it was a similar story at Stowupland, where Jean Kendall substituted for Pat Collicott after three ends but was unable to prevent an 11-29 rink defeat.

Results (Northants names only):

Donald Steward Trophy (at Borough of Eye) Suffolk 132 (18 pts) Northants 68 (0). S Moir ,M Andrews, R Mace lost 17-21; J Duff, K Browning, G King lost 14-31; F Richardson, E Wallace, W Harrold lost 14-30; M Linnell, V Hatch, S Craig lost 6-31; C Warters, S Suffling, C Ford lost 17-19.

Silver Jubilee Vase ( at Stowupland). Suffolk 135 (18) Northants (79 (0). P Collicott (J Kendall), V Du’Kett, H Bass lost 16-29; P O’Brien, J Phillips, V Hempsall lost 24-29; T Handley, M Osbourne, G Day lost 16-26; C Grief, L Toms, J Padley lost 10-29; V Slater, D Flowers, L Barr lost 18-22.

Blackstones’ in-form bowlers are due to meet Nick Brett’s Warboys White Hart team in the area final of the Durham Centenary Shield on Tuesday, July 18 (6.30pm) at Blackstones (NOT on July 11 as previously stated).

The winners of the four-rink triples contest will represent the EBF southern section at Skegness in August.

As well as Brett, the former world No.1 singles player, the Warboys team, representing Hunts, includes current England internationals Lewis Baker and Ed Elmore.

In the previous round the Stamford-based club beat The Rookery BC at Stowmarket, while White Hart beat Carters (Norfolk) by one shot then Boxford (North Essex) 101-73.