THE NBF/NWBF county indoor finals at Stamford saw Tom Newman-Borrett claim a hat-trick of titles, while four other players will head to the national finals at Lincoln next month bidding for title doubles.

He teamed up with Ian Smith to win the pairs, then Smith’s wife Michelle joined them for a mixed triples triumph before he linked up with Michael Humphreys and Stephen Harris to edge out national triples title holders Paul Dalliday, Simon Law and Tristan Morton.

The one title that got away was the mixed pairs with Michelle Smith as Lyn and Kevin Tuck made up for last year’s final disappointment. Lyn added a second title later in the triples with Shirley Suffling and substitute Elaine Upton.

Michelle Smith, who also qualified in four events, was beaten in the singles by Hazel Brewin, who missed out on a singles double by losing in the senior singles to Elizabeth Wallace, who later completed a double by winning the pairs with Chris Ford.

Stephen Harris retained his singles title at the expense of John Holroyd, while Martyn Dolby remains on course for a hat-trick of national veterans singles titles after defeating Kevin Vinter in the county decider.

Ollie Jeapes will also be bidding for a hat-trick of national titles as he qualified unchallenged in the under 25 singles.

The national championships will be held at Lincoln in the week beginning April 20th.

RESULTS

MEN: Singles – Stephen Harris bt John Holroyd 21-4; Veterans singles – Martyn Dolby bt Kevin Vinter 21-10; Pairs – Tom Newman-Borrett & Ian Smith bt Tony Barwell & Nick Wilkie 24-7; Mixed pairs – Lyn & Kevin Tuck bt Tom Newman-Borrett & Michelle Smith 16-11; Triples: Michael Humphreys, Tom Newman-Borrett, Stephen Harris bt Paul Dalliday, Simon Law, Tristan Morton 17-15; Mixed triples – Tom Newman-Borrett, Michelle & Ian Smith bt Graham Agger, Lynne Agger, Peter Brown 17-8.

LADIES: Singles – Hazel Brewin bt Michelle Smith 21-15; Senior singles – Elizabeth Wallace bt Hazel Brewin 21-8; Pairs – Elizabeth Wallace & Chris Ford bt Michelle Smith & Lynne Agger (Sub) 24-15; Triples – Lyn Tuck, Shirley Suffling, Elaine Upton (Sub) bt Valerie Du’Kett, Rita Downs, Ann Northen 26-16.

BELOW: Ladies singles finalists Michelle Smith (left) and Hazel Brewin

BELOW: Pairs finalists (from left) Tom Newman-Borrett, Ian Smith, Tony Barwell, Nick Wilkie.

BELOW: Veterans singles finalists Kevin Vinter (left) and Martyn Dolby.

(Pictures courtesy of Bob Warters)

THE NBF/NWBF county indoor finals take place at the Stamford club on Sunday (March 8th) starting at 10.00am, with Michelle Smith and Tom Newman-Borrett having both qualified in four finals.

Last year the county enjoyed their most successful national championships by winning no fewer than five titles, including two team events.

Ollie Jeapes, who has gone through to the next month’s national finals unchallenged, bids for a third under 25 singles title in a row.

At the other end of the age spectrum, Martyn Dolby has to overcome Kevin Vinter if he is to maintain his bid for a hat-trick of national veterans singles titles.

Paul Dalliday, Simon Law and Tristan Morton remain on course to retain the EBF triples crown.

Northants have already qualified for the Derbyshire Trophy county championship final, where they will meet either Northumberland or Humberside at Lincoln on Saturday, April 25.

The following day, the county team of executives will bid to win the Eversley Trophy for a fourth year in a row.

COUNTY FINALS TIMETABLE

10.00am

Ladies singles: Michelle Smith v Hazel Brewin; Men’s veterans singles: Martyn Dolby v Kevin Vinter; Men’s pairs: Tom Newman-Borrett & Ian Smith v Tony Barwell & Nick Wilkie.

12.00 noon

Mixed pairs: Michelle Smith & Tom Newman-Borrett v Lyn & Kevin Tuck.

2.00pm

Ladies senior singles: Elizabeth Wallace v Hazel Brewin; Mixed triples: Michelle Smith, Tom Newman-Borrett, Ian Smith v Lynne Agger, Graham Agger, Peter Brown; Ladies triples: Lyn Tuck, Shirley Suffling, Louise Harris v Valerie Du’Kett, Rita Downs, Ann Northen.

4.00pm

Ladies pairs: Michelle Smith & Louise Harris v Elizabeth Wallace & Chris Ford; Men’s triples: Michael Humphreys, Tom Newman-Borrett, Stephen Harris v Paul Dalliday, Simon Law, Tristan Morton.

NORTHANTS A are through to the final of the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy for the second time in three years.

They defeated Norfolk 88-82 in their final match at Stamford and the ten points they collected was sufficient for them to overhaul southern section leaders Hunts and end Norfolk’s title hopes in the process.

They will now head to Lincoln on Saturday, April 25th to meet the northern area winners in the hope of winning the indoor county championship for only the fourth time since the competition was introduced in the mid-eighties.

Twice in five matches their margin of victory was eight shots or less, and in the only one they lost the deficit was just three, but with Norfolk close on their heels as they sought the points to keep their hopes alive going into their last match away to North Essex, Northants managed to hold their nerve over the tense final ends.

Rink honours were shared at two apiece with the rink of Chris Ballard, Brian Martin and Peter Brown again in commanding form winning 26-17 victory, while Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris and Adam Warrington added a 27-15 success.

Although Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell and Graham Agger went down 25-22, they deserve credit for fighting back from 13-0 down to actually take the lead at one stage.

RESULT

NORTHANTS A 88 (10), NORFOLK 82 (4) – (Northants rinks only):

Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington won 27-15; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger lost 22-25; Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law lost 12-25; Chris Ballard, Brian Martin, Peter Brown won 26-17.

SAD to report the passing of Crowland stalwart Peter Holmes, a well known and respected figure in local bowling circles for many years.

As well as playing for Crowland, he played for the Northants Bowling Federation county teams over a number of seasons and represented the county in singles and pairs at the national finals in Skegness.

He was an avid supporter of the NBF and was a regular visitor to the national finals at Skegness.

His funeral will be held at the Peterborough Crematorium on Thursday, March 19th at 4.00pm, followed by a wake at the George and Angel, Crowland.

NORTHANTS A maintained their push for southern section honours in the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy with a 139-51 demolition of North Essex at Stamford, but the B team were unable to do them a favour as they were crushed 129-60 by title chasing Hunts at Peterborough.

Maximum points for Northants A means they now top the table just one point from Hunts with both having one fixture remaining, but Norfolk, who trail Northants by ten points have two games to play, including a crucial one against Northants at Stamford on Sunday, February 22.

By then Northants will know what they have to do to qualify for the national final as Hunts play their last game at home to North Essex this coming Sunday (February 15).

It was all plain sailing for Northants A with all their four rinks cruising to victory with Peter Brown’s rink leading the shots spree with a 41-20 win, while the other three rinks all topped thirty shots.

Northants A were hoping their B team might take some points off Hunts, but as at Stamford it was pretty much one way traffic, although the rink of team captain Dudley Smith did lead 17-15 at one stage before falling away over the last few ends to lose 28-21.

RESULTS

NORTHANTS A 139 (14), NORTH ESSEX 51 (0) – (Northants rinks only):

Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law won 31-11; Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington won 33-16; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger won 33-14; Chris Ballard, Brian Martin, Peter Brown won 41-10.

NORTHANTS B 60 (0), HUNTS 129 (14) – (Northants rinks only):

Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong, Roger Martin lost 11-31; Peter Smith, Neil Wright, Ben Wilson lost 10-38; John Holroyd, Andy Cox, Mike Anderson lost 18-32; Tien Ngo, Phil Jones, Dudley Smith lost 21-28.

NORTHANTS A have suffered a setback in their quest to reach the final of the English Bowling Federation’s Derbyshire Trophy.

Seeking a third win in as many games in the southern section, they were edged out by just three shots (90-93) away to defending champions Hunts and it is all building up to a grandstand finish in the title race.

Apart from the opening end of the match when Northants scored on all four rinks, Hunts were always in front although the margin was never more than 15 shots.

Northants gradually eased their way back into contention and were only two shots down playing the last end, but Hunts hung on to take ten of the 14 points on offer.

Rinks were shared at two apiece with Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris and Adam Warrington winning 26-17, while Chris Ballard, Brian Martin and Peter Brown came from some distance back to win 26-22.

Northants A will be unchanged for the home clash with North Essex at Stamford on Sunday (February 8) at 10.00am, and they will be hoping their B team can take some points off Hunts who they meet at Peterborough at the same time in their final fixture.

Mike Anderson returns for the unavailable Roger Martin which is the only change in the B team beaten at North Essex in their last match.

Northants B: Tien Ngo, Phil Jones, Dudley Smith; John Holroyd, Andy Cox, Ben Wilson; Peter Smith, Gareth Dickenson, Neil Wright; Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong, Mike Anderson.

RESULT

NORTHANTS A 90 (4), HUNTS 93 (10) – (Northants rinks only):

Chris Ballard, Brian Martin, Peter Brown won 26-22; Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington won 26-17; Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law lost 22-24; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger lost 16-30.

NORTHANTS B are still seeking their first win of the season in the Derbyshire Trophy following their 104-90 defeat away to North Essex.

They returned home with two points courtesy of the rink of Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong and Roger Martin, the other three rinks suffering losses in single figures – nine, nine and two.

Northants B end their campaign at home to Hunts at Peterborough on February 8.

RESULT

NORTHANTS B 90 (2), NORTH ESSEX 104 (12) – (Northants B rinks only):

Gareth Dickenson, Andy Cox, Ben Wilson lost 20-29; Tien Ngo, Phil Jones (debut), Dudley Smith lost 18-27; Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong, Roger Martin won 34-26; Peter Smith, John Holroyd, Neil Wright lost 18-22.

NORTHANTS A resume their Derbyshire Trophy campaign on Sunday, February 1st away to Hunts.

Simon Law’s team will be aiming to make it three wins out of three in the southern section of the English Bowling Federation’s county indoor championship and maintain their bid to qualify for the national final at Lincoln at the end of April.

After this fixture, Northants end their programme with home matches against North Essex and Norfolk at Stamford.

Following their dramatic win over North Cambs before Christmas, Law has announced an unchanged team.

Northants A: Chris Ballard, Brian Martin, Peter Brown; Stuart Agger, Paul Dalliday, Simon Law; Martyn Dolby, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger; Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Adam Warrington.

FOLLOWING an impressive draw away to Norfolk in the Derbyshire Trophy, Northants B were brought down to earth with a bump when they failed to register a point against North Cambs in a crushing 141-51 defeat at Peterborough.

They will be hoping for better fortune next Sunday (January 18th) when they travel to North Essex.

Roger Strong and Gareth Dickenson come into the team to replace Mike Anderson and Mick Porter

Northants B : Tien Ngo, Adam Emery, Dudley Smith; Gareth Dickenson, Andy Cox, Ben Wilson; Peter Smith, John Holroyd, Neil Wright; Ally McNaughton, Roger Strong, Roger Martin.

RESULT

NORTHANTS B 51 (0), NORTH CAMBS 141 (14) – (Northants rinks only):

Peter Smith, Neil Wright, Mike Anderson lost 17-28; Andy Cox, Mick Porter, John Holroyd lost 15-33; Tien Ngo, Dudley Smith, Ben Wilson lost 8-36; Ally McNaughton, Adam Emery, Roger Martin lost 11-44.

NORTHANTS B begin the New Year with a Derbyshire Trophy home match against North Cambs at Peterborough on Sunday, January 11th.

Fresh from an excellent draw away to Norfolk, Northants are forced to make two changes with Roger Martin and Mick Porter returning for Malcolm Mitchell and Kevin Vinter.

Northants B: Tien Ngo, Dudley Smith, Ben Wilson; Peter Smith, Neil Wright, Mike Anderson; Andy Cox, Mick Porter, John Holroyd; Ally McNaughton, Adam Emery, Roger Martin.