Local interest guaranteed in Federation finals

Post date: Feb 24, 2015 11:29:59 AM

Northants Federation competitions are reaching an exciting climax ahead of the finals due to be played at Stamford IBC on Sunday, March 15.

Already some Stamford players are through - including Joyce Foster, Margaret Andrews and Glenys Edwards in the women's triples with local interest also guaranteed in the men's veteran singles where Martyn Dolby, having beaten Mick Linnell 21-6, plays clubmate Bob Warters for a place in the final against Peter Edwards or John Burrows.

Edwards beat last year's runner-up Joe Martin 21-12 in the quarter final and partnering Stephen Harris reached to the semi-final of the pairs after beating Josh Clarke and Colin Teat 21-7. However, they were subsequently beaten on Wednesday by Neil Wright and an in-form Howard Shipp 21-9.

John Holroyd has reached the semi-finals of the four bowl singles against Adam Warrington's conqueror, Andy Thurston after an outstanding 21-11 defeat of Howard Shipp at Peterborough. Martyn Dolby looked to be on the way to joining him but when leading 7-2 against Simon Law, pulled a muscle and had to concede.

In a battle between players using the latest technology bowls - Stamford's Mike Humphreys using the multi-coloured Aero Trifecta and James Harford the narrow-bias Henselite White Line, it was Harford who took the honours in a closely-fought contest 21-17.

Peter Cox, Bob Warters and Roger Martin missed a chance to give Stamford a two-bowl triples finals spot for the second successive year when they lost on their home surface to Howard Shipp, Joe Randall and Jeff Newson 8-20.

Christine Ford's hopes of reaching a final after defeat in the 4-bowl and Senior singles semi-finals were dashed when partnering Mike Ramsden. They lost to Joe Martin and Carol Hunter.

Jay Travis-Jenner and Cliff Watson missed a golden chance to reach the semi -finals of the Lincs County pairs when they led Paul Roberts and David Bristow 19-10 with only a handful of ends to play but lost 10 shots in two ends and finally succumbed 19-24.

Martyn Dolby and Bob Warters have a chance for revenge for Nottingham's win in the Over 60s Fours inter Area semi-final when they meet them against at Melton on Sunday morning at a similar stage in Over 60s pairs event.