Northants A upset Norfolk in Federation Derbyshire Competition
For the first time in recent seasons, Northants A will not contest the final of the English Bowling Federation inter-county Derbyshire Trophy they won for the third time in 2019 and were runners-up last year. But they will have a big say in who does.
With the exciting 12-2 defeat at Stamford IBC of challengers Norfolk by one shot overall, they dented the visitors’ hopes of a place in the final. And if they can repeat the dose against Lincolnshire in a fortnight’s time, a place in the final for both their rival counties will hang by a thread.
With the last of the 25 ends to be played against Norfolk, Northants A trailed by a shot for the first time in the match but rinks skipped by Martyn Dolby, Brian Martin and Jonathan Earl found the pride and accuracy to retrieve the situation and run out 88-87 winners, claiming six rink points and six more for the overall aggregate.
Northants captain James Harford was forced to make wholesale changes to accommodate the unavailability of key players competing in the Liberty Trophy semi final in York. But his combination of replacements responded superbly and built up an early lead against a Norfolk team packed with youth and experience.
As expected Norfolk fought back and picked up five against Earl on the 20th end and four on the 23rd against Dolby but after Martin was pegged back to all square after leading 17-7, the three unfinished rinks held on for the deserved aggregate victory.
Result EBF Derbyshire Trophy: Northants A 88 Norfolk 87. Northants names only: A McNaughton, B Warters, J Harford lost 16-25; W Aspinall, D Miller, M Dolby won 26-22; O Aspinall, M Robertson, B Martin won 22-20; R Allam, A Emery, J Earl won 24-20.
Brian Martin
Mike Robertson
Wayne Aspinall - back competing after several months following a knee operation.
Founder of the Northants B team, Malcolm Squires was recognised for his commitment to the county cause when he captained his last match in charge against Hunts on Sunday. Sadly it ended in a 97-74 defeat but in his honour, the team continued to fight with great spirit despite claiming only two of the 14 points available.
Northants led by one shot after 10 ends but gradually a strong Hunts team - including former Northants players Howard Shipp and Joe Randall claiming 17 shots in seven ends for a 27-16 victory over Gary Dickenson, Mel Beck and John Holroyd - took control.
Though they dropped a four-count on the penultimate end, Andy Cox, Mick Greaves and Mick Linnell salvaged two points with a single on the last end.
Result EBF Derbyshire Trophy: Northants B 74 Hunts 97.
Northants names only: L Sharp, J Clipston, D Smith lost 20-28; S Agger, C Watson, G Agger lost 18-23; A Cox, M Greaves, M Linnell won 20-19; G Dickenson, M Beck, J Holroyd lost 16-27.
COURSE FOR MARKERS
The role of a marker in every club is vital in ensuring that all singles matches are properly adjudicated in terms of the playing laws that are followed and ensuring measuring is carried out correctly. Every club should have at least two markers and Stamford IBC is fortunate in having Judy Barwell, officially qualified.
However, the club should have more markers - and the English Bowls Umpires Association is offering an opportunity with a ‘Markers awareness course’ to be held at Boston IBC on March 12 (from 9.30am - 4.30pm) open to all club bowlers at a cost of £15.
No post course exam is required but candidates are required to complete all measuring exercises.
For further jnformation contact Annie Dunham (email:annie@playbowls.org) with your name and contact details.
FINALS SPOT FOR SENIORS
A last gasp bowl by Martyn Dolby secured Lincolnshire Seniors’ place in the final of the national Over 60s inter-county championships against Essex at Nottingham on April 14.
The Stamford IBC bowler skipped a rink which included clubmate Mick Linnell and Den Skayman & Steve Derby (Lincoln) after Tony Barwell had to withdraw. And when five of the six rinks’ final scores were in (three at Desborough, three at Lincoln), the county held a narrow lead overall but were four down on the last end when Dolby drew a shot ‘toucher.’
The opposing skip drove the jack into the ditch but took Dolby’s bowl with it to finally leave the result beyond doubt at 118-112.
Dolby will also be part of the Stamford quartet - with Bob Warters, Tony Scarr and Roger Martin - which contests the Area final of the EIBA Over 60 Fours at Melton next Wednesday March 2 against Irvine Powdrill’s Charnwood rink.
SENIOR WOMEN WILT AGAINST BARWELL
Hopes that Stamford’s Senior women could reach the last eight of the EIBA Over 60s Mason Trophy ended when they were soundly beaten by Barwell.
They started well when Rose March’s rink of Margaret King, Stella Henshaw and Carol Warters took an 8-2 lead after five ends at Barwell, while Chris Ford’s home rink (Rosemary Roberts, Elizabeth Wallace and Shirley Suffling) were all square.
But it was short-lived and the away rink immediately conceded a six count and failed to add more than a shot in the next eight ends.
The away rink at Barwell pictured to the right of their opponents.
As the home rink also wilted Barwell eventually ran out winners 47-23 to earn a tie with Stratford-based Welford-on-Avon IBC next Friday for a place in the semi-finals.
Result Mason Trophy: Stamford 23 Barwell 47.
Stamford names only: home - R Roberts, E Wallace, S Suffling, C Ford lost13-17; away - M King, S Henshaw, C Warters, R March lost 10-28.
FOOTNOTE: Stamford women slipped back to third place in the Trudy Bates County League (South) after conceding 12 points in a 46-97 defeat at Skegness.
VOLUNTEER OFFICIALS NEEDED
Stamford IBC is seeking volunteers for key positions within the club, including management committee and team captains, without whom it cannot function in 2022 and beyond.
As well as a new chairman and secretary on the management committee - Keith Rippin and Carol Warters are retiring after more than 15 years in the roles - the club needs someone to organise club competitions in the second half of the season.
Whilst not committee positions people are still required to volunteer for the important roles of ‘A’ team and Weekend Friendlies captains.
Officers will be elected at the annual meeting at 7.30pm on April 20.