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2022: County and EBF News

Sunday 18th September

County tribute to Malcolm Squires

Northants Men’s and Women’s Bowling Federations paid tribute to Market Deeping resident Malcolm Squires at the joint annual luncheon at Bretton on Sunday, recognising more than 40 years as a player and official.

Twice county president, Mr Squires has also won countless titles in both individual and team events and was a driving force in the establishment of City of Peterborough Bowls Club after it was re-located from the former Belevedere greens in Lincoln Road a decade ago.

Acting chairman Melvyn Beck paid tribute to his long, loyal and dedicated service to the county.

The EBF president, Trevor Hardingham (Norfolk), who attended with EWBF president Paula Gooch (Suffolk), presented him with a cut-glass fruit bowl on behalf of the NBF. Viv Hempsell, Northants Women’s president, and her deputy Shirley Suffling were also present among the 70 guests.

Trophies and prizes were presented to bowlers who had won outdoor and indoor county titles and represented the county at the national finals Skegness and Newark respectively.

Included in the presentations were the NBF player-of-the-season awards which went Wayne Morris (Derbyshire A), Stuart Agger (Derbyshire B), Graham Agger (Adams) and Kevin Vinter (Newton).

Saturday 27th August

Disability Bowls England: Margaret Smith MBE Shield (North v South) victory

This weekend, Colin Wagstaff, of Market Overton Bowls Club, captained the victorious North Team in the Margaret Smith MBE Shield (North v South), which is competed for by bowlers from all parts of England. Colin is a Disability Bowls England Ambassador and plays in the Stamford League. He was very proud to have his photo taken with Margaret (Maggy) Smith, who has been involved in disability bowls for more than 25 years in significant and influential roles that have had worldwide impact. 

Maggy says her greatest achievements include seeing bowlers with disability integrated into and accepted by clubs both indoors and out. She has been the driving force behind the formation of DBE  for bowls to become an inclusive “Sport for All” at all levels of the game. Colin is continuing to promote her ideas in the local area.

Thanks to Colin Wagstaff / Sue Fleckney for report and photos.

Sunday 28th August

English Bowling Federation Championships

FATIGUE FINALLY CLAIMS KETTON DUO

The achievement of Ketton bowlers Elaine Upton and Helen Tilley in reaching the final of the women’s pairs was one of the few highlights for Northants Federation competing in the English Bowling Federation national finals at Skegness.

For the first time since 2017 the county failed to pick up a title in either men’s or women’s events.

Only the Yaxley two-bowl triple of Hazel Bass, Marlene Osborne and Gill King (beaten 9-26 by Cleveland) emulated the Ketton pair, who were eventually undone by fatigue against Suffolk.

Upton - making her first appearance since 1988 after winning the under-25 singles two years earlier as Elaine Novak - and Tilley beat Humberside 20-15 but when rain washed out play on Thursday and delayed play on Friday, they had set off at 4.45 am to play Durham at 9.15 on Saturday morning.

“We managed that and won 21-18,” recalled Helen “but after we went 11-7 up in the final against Julie Witham and Rachelle Barber from Suffolk in the afternoon, we tired pretty quickly in the heat.” 

They eventually lost 21-12 but at least had the satisfaction of reaching a final of the prestigious championships. Clubmate Chris Ford lost 16-21 to Hunts in the second round of the two-bowl singles.

Said Elaine: “ It was a great experience; we throughly enjoyed it. But travelling to Skegness on Saturday, then playing twice was just too much for us.”

Northants Results 

MEN: 2-bowl singles: Stephen Harris (Blackstones) lost opening match, 14-21 v Notts. 4-bowl singles: Tom Newman (Whittlesey Manor) bt Durham 21-12, then lost 13-21 to Derbyshire, the eventual winner. U25 singles: Ollie Jeapes (Parkway) lost opening match, 18-21 to Northumberland.Veterans singles: Barry Lawrence (Conservative) lost opening match, 15-21 to Lincs’ Richard White, the eventual winner.

Secretary singles: Melvyn Beck (Whittlesey Manor) bt Durham 21-13, then lost 5-21 to Northumberland.  Champion of champions singles: Jonathan Corby (Empingham) lost opening match, 10-21 to Suffolk. Pairs: Graham Agger & Peter Brown (Whittlesey Manor) lost opening match, 15-21 to Derbys, the eventual winners.

Mixed pairs: Louise & Stephen Harris (Blackstones) lost opening match, 16-20 to Durham. Senior pairs: Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley) lost opening match, 9-18 to North Essex. Senior mixed pairs: Les Sharp & Gill King (Yaxley) lost 12-17 in the semi-finals to Northumberland, the eventual winners, after beating North Essex 17-13.

2-bowl triples: Paul Dalliday, Simon Law, Tristan Morton (Parkway) bt Cleveland 19-12, then lost 19-23 to Lincs. 3-bowl triples: Richard Allam, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter (Stamford) lost opening match, 10-22 to Suffolk. Mixed triples: Paul Dalliday, Michelle Coleman, James Harford (Parkway) lost 14-22 in the semi-finals to Notts, the eventual winners, after beating Norfolk 21-12 and Northumberland 23-21. U25 open pairs: Ollie Jeapes (Parkway) & Louise Harris (Blackstones) lost 12-19 in the semi-finals to Northumberland after beating North Cambs 25-7.

WOMEN: 2-bowl singles: Chris Ford (Ketton) lost opening match, 16-21 to Hunts. 4-bowl singles: Sophie Morton (Parkway) lost opening match, 10-21 to Durham. U25 singles: Louise Harris (Blackstones) lost 13-21 in the semi-finals to Lincs after beating Hunts 21-19. Senior singles: Pat Jones (Empingham) lost opening match, 15-21 to Suffolk.

Secretary singles: Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl) lost opening match, 18-21 to Suffolk. C/C singles: Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl) lost opening match, 15-21 to North Cambs. Pairs: Helen Tilley & Elaine Upton (Ketton) lost 12-21 in the final to Suffolk after beating Durham 21-18 and Humberside 20-15.

Senior pairs: Terri Handley & Pam Owen (Deeping) lost opening match, 8-23 to Derbys. 2-bowl rinks: Hazel Bass, Marlene Osborne, Gill King (Yaxley) lost 9-26 in the final to Cleveland after beating Durham 20-17 and North Cambs 26-13. 3-bowl rinks: Ann Holmes, Linda Starbuck, Helen Holroyd (Stamford) lost opening match, 10-19 to Norfolk.

Thursday 25th August

DRAMATIC START FOR STAMFORD AGAINST RIVALS

Stamford Indoor Bowls Club will face the current English inter-club champions from Spalding in the first round of the competition, the draw has revealed this week.

Their local rivals, who for the future have assumed the moniker of ‘Spalding Lightning’ for all their national competitions, will wear a newly-sponsored kit for the match - two rinks at home, two away - which is somewhat appropriately scheduled for November 5.

On the same day, Stamford’s women’s team will play Sleaford in the inter-club equivalent, the Yetton Trophy. The club has also been drawn to play Peterborough in both the Egham Mixed (October 10) and  the Over 60s men’s double rink (v Stamford A on November 8). Stamford B play the winners on November 29.

Stamford A men’s county league team, captained by Tony Barwell, will also face Spalding away in the opening Lincs Indoor Bowling Association League (South) fixture on Saturday, October 1. Stamford B, under the guidance of Peter Linnell, entertain current County champions Boston A, the following day. 

Lincs IBA matches will be contested by four rinks of four players with two points for each winning rink and six for the overall aggregate.

The rest of the County league fixtures in which Stamford will also be represented are currently being finalised for women’s inter-club (Trudy Bates League), mixed and senior men.

Thanks to Bob Warters for report.

DISAPPOINTING FOR NORTHANTS AT SKEGNESS

Northants Federation bowlers - many of whom play in the Stamford League - had little to celebrate against the other counties in the early stages of the national championships at Skegness this week.

However, the Ketton pairing of Elaine Upton and Helen Tilley progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s pairs with an outstanding 20-14 victory over Carol Tullock and Jackie Thellmann from Humberside on Wednesday afternoon.

They trailed 6-9 after nine ends of the two-bowl pairs discipline but nine shots without reply from the 15th end put the match beyond reach of the Melbourne duo.

While it was Helen’s debut at Skegness, Elaine last appeared in 1988 - two years after winning the Under 25 women’s singles title.

Elsewhere, there was double defeat for Stamford Town players in both the men’s and women’s three-bowl rinks.

Richard Allam, John Holroyd and Kevin Vinter lost 10-22 to Suffolk, with Linda Starbuck, Moira Holroyd and Ann Holmes defeated 10-19 by Norfolk.

For Pat Jones from the Empingham club, making her Skegness debut in the demanding two-bowl Senior singles, it was the culmination of her best ever competitive season. Sadly it was short-lived. She went down 21-15 to Sue Deeves from Suffolk.

“ I have learned a lot about my own game this season,” she said “ and doing some coaching and encouraging new bowlers has definitely helped.”

For Stephen and Louise Harris (Blackstones), defending their mixed pairs was always going to be tough against Durham. And so it proved when they lost a series of counts mid-match and switched positions for Louise to skip. They pulled back to trail 16-18 with one end to go but couldn’t quite square the match, losing eventually by four.

Playing again almost immediately in the two bowl singles, Stephen was unable to regain his form against Nottingham’s Paul Dayus, losing 21-14.

Other results included double defeats for Angela Cox (Langtoft) in both the champion of champions singles to North Cambs (15-21) and the Secretary’s singles to Suffolk (21-18).

The championships continue until Saturday.

Wednesday 3rd August

EARLY START FOR BOWLERS

Bowlers from Stamford and Deeping will kick-off Northants Federation’s bid for glory on the first day of the individual national championships to be held at Skegness from Tuesday, August 23.

Stamford Town’s trio Richard Allam, John Holroyd and Kevin Vinter take on Suffolk in the three-bowl rinks at 9.15 am while simultaneously Terri Handley and Pam Owen (Deeping Association) face Derbyshire.

Blackstones’ Stephen Harris plays the Nottinghamshire 4-bowl singles champion at 10.45 then partners his sister Louise in the mixed pairs against Durham less than two hours later.

THE draws for the early rounds, involving our local players is as follows:

MEN

2-bowl singles – Stephen Harris (Blackstones), v Notts on Tuesday, 10.45am (second round, Wednesday, 1.45pm)?

Champions singles – Jonathan Corby (Empingham) v Suffolk, Thursday, 10.45am (bye in first round).

Mixed pairs – Louise & Stephen Harris (Blackstones) v Durham, Tuesday, 12.15pm (second round, Wednesday, 3.15pm).

3-bowl triples – Richard Allam, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter (Stamford) v Suffolk, Tuesday, 9.15am (second round, Wednesday, 11.45am).

U25 open pairs – Ollie Jeapes (Parkway) & Louise Harris (Blackstones) v North Cambs, Friday, 9.15am (bye in first round).

WOMEN

2-bowl singles – Chris Ford (Ketton) v Hunts, Thursday 9.15am (bye in first round).

U25 singles – Louise Harris (Blackstones) v Hunts or North Cambs Thursday, 12.15pm (bye in first round).

Senior singles – Pat Jones (Empingham) v Suffolk, Wednesday, 9.15am (second round, Wednesday, 1.45pm).

Secretaries singles – Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl) v Suffolk, Tuesday, 11.45am (second round, Wednesday, 12.15pm).

Monday 25th July: Federation results

MULTI COUNTY TITLES FOR LEAGUE’S BOWLERS

Bowlers who hone their skills in the Stamford and District League dominated the Northants Federation men’s and women’s finals at the Parkway club in Peterborough on Sunday, overcoming a smooth but tricky green, a gusting wind and temperatures nudging 30 degrees.

Blackstones, Stamford Town, Ketton, Langtoft and Empingham all secured double representation in the national finals when they are staged at Skegness from August 24-28. 

Indeed, Blackstones’ Louise Harris will take part in three disciplines after winning the pairs with brother Stephen (also the 4-bowl singles champion) and qualifying with walkovers for the ladies singles and the under 25 mixed pairs with Parkway’s Ollie Jeapes.

While there was an inevitability with some of the results, there were shocks, too - particularly the 21-13 defeat of Parkway’s James Harford on his favourite end rink by Empingham stalwart Jonathan Corby in the champion of champions two-bowl singles. 

Said Harford magnanimously: “I was fortunate to be drawn on a rink I play in all my home competitions but Jonathan found the line far better than me and, fair play to him, he deserved his win.”

Pat Jones later completed an Empingham double against Yaxley veteran Joan Robinson, with a 21-19 win in the Senior singles. Langtoft also claimed two titles thanks to Angela Cox in the champions' and secretaries' singles. But the mixed pairs with husband Peter and the two-bowl triples with Anne White and Pat Booth against Stamford Town proved out of reach at the end of a gruelling day.

The ladies rinks - thanks to Moira Holroyd, Linda Starbuck and Ann Holmes - was one of the two titles claimed by Town bowlers, who contested five events. The other also came late in the day, when the rinks had been switched round in a bid by the organisers to ensure fairer playing conditions for the late starters. John Holroyd, Richard Allam and Kevin Vinter, dismissed earlier defeats in both pairs and the mixed triples disciplines by including an eight-count in the 24-17 defeat of Ray Keating’s Peterborough & District rink.

For Ketton it was a day of mixed fortunes with two titles and three defeats. It was maybe one to forget for Elizabeth Wallace who came away empty-handed after qualifying in three events - champions singles, rinks and senior pairs where Deeping Association’s Terri Handley and Pam Owen were outstanding.

But it was a day to cherish for Elaine Upton - winner of the English Under 25 singles in 1986 - and Helen Tilley, claiming the pairs in some style for the village club. Similarly, for Christine Ford, retaining the two-bowl singles on a measure in a nail-biting finish against Emma Providence (Market Deeping).

FINAL RESULTS

MEN: 2-bowl singles – Stephen Harris (Blackstones) bt Paul Dalliday (Parkway) 21-14; 4-bowl singles – Tom Newman (Whittlesey Manor) bt John Earl (Blackstones) 21-7; Veterans singles – Barry Lawrence (Conservative) bt Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) 21-19; Champion of Champions – Jonathan Corby (Empingham) bt James Harford (Parkway) 21-13; Secretaries' singles – Melvyn Beck (Whittlesey Manor) bt Mike Ramsden (Empingham) 21-14; Pairs – Graham Agger & Peter Brown (Whittlesey Manor) bt Richard Allam & John Holroyd (Stamford) 17-16; Senior pairs – Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley) bt Len Marshall & Kevin Vinter (Stamford) 21-16; 2-bowl triples – Paul Dalliday, Simon Law, Tristan Morton (Parkway) bt Adam Emery, Mike Robertson, Brian Martin (Parkway) 25-6; 3-bowl triples – Richard Allam, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter (Stamford) bt Joe Martin, Mick Greaves, Ray Keating (Peterborough & District) 24-17.

WOMEN: 2-bowl singles – Chris Ford (Ketton) bt Emma Providence (Market Deeping) 21-20; 4-bowl singles – Sophie Morton (Parkway) bt Norma Squires (City of Peterborough) 21-10; Senior singles – Pat Jones (Empingham) bt Joan Robinson (Yaxley) 21-19; Champion of Champions – Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl) bt Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton) 21-19; Secretaries' singles – Angela Cox (Langtoft Pearl) bt Vivienne Hempsell (Yaxley) 21-13; Pairs – Elaine Upton & Helen Tilley (Ketton) bt Jean Scallon & Liz Hext (Conservative) 21-10; Senior pairs – Terri Handley & Pam Owen (Deeping) bt Elizabeth Wallace & Carol Warters (Ketton) 21-8; 2-bowl triples – Moira Holroyd, Linda Starbuck, Ann Holmes (Stamford) bt Anne White, Angela Cox, Pat Booth (Langtoft Pearl) 23-19; 3-bowl triples – Hazel Bass, Marlene Osborne, Gill King (Yaxley) bt Elizabeth Wallace, Val Du’Kett, Elaine Upton (Ketton) 20-9.

MIXED

Mixed pairs – Louise & Stephen Harris (Blackstones) bt Angela & Peter Cox (Langtoft Pearl) 20-9; Senior mixed pairs – Les Sharp & Gill King (Yaxley) bt Penny Hart & Ralph Barker (Whittlesey Town) 18-14; Mixed triples – Paul Dalliday, Michelle Coleman, James Harford (Parkway) bt Moira Holroyd, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter (Stamford) 22-11.

Tuesday 19th July: Federation results

NON-STOP FINALS FOR LANGTOFT ACE ANGELA

The Northants Bowling Federation’s men’s and women’s county finals are staged at the Parkway BC, Peterborough, on Sunday July 24 (from 10 am) with Langtoft’s Angela Cox competing in every session and featuring in four finals.

Kevin Vinter and John Holroyd (Stamford Town), Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton) and Paul Dalliday have all qualified in three events.

Cox plays Wallace in the champion of champions singles, county president Viv Hempsell (Yaxley) in the secretaries' trophy, links with husband Peter in the mixed pairs and finally joins clubmates Anne White and Pat Booth in the three-bowl triples.

TIMETABLE

10.00am: Women’s 4-bowl singles: Sophie Morton (Parkway) v Norma Squires (City of Peterborough);  Men’s 2-bowl singles: Paul Dalliday (Parkway) v Stephen Harris (Blackstones); Women's Secretaries' singles: Viv Hempsell (Yaxley) v Angela Cox (Langtoft); Women's senior pairs: Terri Handley & Pam Owen (Deeping Assn) v Elizabeth Wallace & Carol Warters (Ketton); Men's senior pairs: Len Marshall & Kevin Vinter (Stamford) v Robert Heath & Tony Belson (Yaxley); Men's pairs: Graham Agger & Peter Brown (Whittlesey Manor) v Richard Allam & John Holroyd (Stamford Tn).

12 noon: Senior mixed pairs: Les Sharp & Gill King (Yaxley) v Penny Hart & Ralph Barker (Whittlesey Town); Women's Champions singles: Wallace (Ketton) v Cox (Langtoft); Women's pairs: Jean Scallon & Liz Hext (Conservative) v Elaine Upton & Helen Tilley (Ketton); Women's senior singles: Joan Robinson (Yaxley) v Pat Jones (Empingham); Men's 4-bowl singles: Tom Newman (Whittlesey Manor) v John Earl (Blackstones); Men's Champion singles: Jon Corby (Empingham) v James Harford (Parkway).

2.00pm: Men's veteran singles: Barry Lawrence (Conservative) v Martyn Dolby (Blackstones); Mixed triples: Dalliday, Michelle Coleman, Harford (Parkway) v Moira & John Holroyd, Vinter (Stamford Tn); Mixed pairs: Louise & Stephen Harris (Blackstones) v Peter & Angela Cox (Langtoft); Women's 2-bowl singles: Chris Ford (Ketton) v Emma Providence (Market Deeping); Men's secretaries' singles: Mike Ramsden (Empingham) v Melvyn Beck (Whittlesey Manor).

4.00pm: Men's 2-bowl triples: Dalliday, Simon Law, Tristan Morton (Parkway) v Adam Emery, Brian Martin, Mike Robertson (Parkway); Men's 3-bowl triples: Richard Allam, Holroyd, Vinter (Stamford) v Joe Martin, Mick Greaves, Ray Keating (Peterborough & District); Women's 2-bowl triples: Wallace, Valerie Du’Kett, Elaine Upton (Ketton) v Hazel Bass, Marlene Osborne, King (Yaxley); Women's 3-bowl triples: M Holroyd, Linda Starbuck, Anne Holmes (Stamford) v Anne White, Pat Booth, Angela Cox (Langtoft).

 NO JOY FOR COUNTY WOMEN

Northants WBF teams concluded their season without a win following home defeats at the hands of neighbours Hunts.

The Donald Steward team, playing at City of Peterborough, were narrowly beaten overall by just nine shots, while the Silver Jubilee side at Yaxley lost by 25.

RESULTS:

DONALD STEWARD TROPHY - Northants 76 (4 pts), Hunts 85 (14) – (Northants rinks only): Hazel Bass, Viv Hempsell, Gill King lost 19-21; Penny Hart, Val Du’Kett, Liz Hext won 18-16; Tina Tinklin, Angela Cox, Moira Holroyd lost 13-17; Sally Albany, Elizabeth Wallace, Chris Ford lost 12-20; Norma Squires, Terri Handley, Myra Landsburgh won 14-11.

SILVER JUBILEE VASE - Northants 75 (4), Hunts 100 (14) – (Northants rinks only): Gill Day, Shirley Suffling, Jan McDougall won 18-15; Marlene Osborne, Kate Heath, Joyce Needham lost 11-25; Ann Northen, Linda Toms, Pat Jones won 20-15; Joan Collishaw, Sue Seed, Ann Holmes lost 8-25; Dawn Prosser, Gina Shoebridge, Carol Grief lost 18-20.

Tuesday 12th July

FEDERATION FINALS QUINTET

Stamford Town have a record five representations in the finals of the Northants Bowling Federation championships to be staged at Parkway BC in Peterborough on Sunday, July 24.

Richard Allam and John Holroyd secured the latest places on Sunday, beating Michael Jeapes’ Parkway combination 21-12 after joining Kevin Vinter to win a place in the 3-bowl triples, defeating Mick Humphreys’ Whittlesey Manor trio 15-14.

They will play Pete Brown and Graham Agger (Whittlesey Manor) in the pairs and either Stuart Agger or Ray Keating in the rinks. Vinter also made the final of the veteran pairs with club president Len Marshall, knocking out Mal Squires and Pop Eddings ( City of Peterborough). They play former champions Robert Heath and Tony Belson ( Yaxley).

After Helen and Moira Holroyd and Linda Starbuck reached the final of the women’s three bowl triples, Helen, her father John and Vinter reached the mixed triples final where they will meet either clubmate Paul Bailey or Parkway’s Paul Dalliday.

Ketton also added to their three finalists in the women’s two-bowl and champion of champions singles and Senior pairs when Helen Tilley and Elaine Upton beat clubmates Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford 20-12 in the pairs. 

And on Monday, Elizabeth Wallace reached her third final when, with Ketton team-mates Upton and Valerie Du’Kett, they handled Langtoft’s fast-running green better to beat Pat Booth, Anne White and Angela Cox 24-16 in the two-bowl rinks.

Elsewhere, in the men’s champion of champion two-bowl singles, Jonathan Corby caused an upset beating indoor international Stephen Harris at Blackstones 21-18.Wednesday 6th July

Wednesday 6th July

NEWTON HUMBLED AT NORFOLK

Though winning three of their five matches, the Northants Federation men’s Newton Trophy team finished third in the southern section of the EBF county championship for reserve teams. Defeats came at the hands of the top two, Lincs and Norfolk.

They ended their campaign with a 136-202 defeat away to Norfolk at Norwich.

The Adams Trophy team conceded their match against Norfolk at Holt. They couldn’t raise a full squad.

NEWTON TROPHY: NORTHANTS 136 (3), NORFOLK 202 (19) – (Northants rinks only): Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson won 30-29; Malcolm Mann, Darren Middleton, Ally McNaughton lost 19-36; Gareth Dickenson, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding lost 20-41; Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery lost 23-35; Stuart Agger, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter drew 23-23; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence lost 21-38.

Northants Federation women’s Donald Steward team suffered its fourth successive defeat - 106-120 against North Essex at Cornard BC.they collected only four of the 18 points at stake.

DONALD STEWARD TROPHY: NORTHANTS 106 (4), NORTH ESSEX 120 (14): (Northants rinks only) –Norma Squires, Terri Handley, Wendy Stevens lost 15-29; Carol Warters Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford won 36-15; Elizabeth Wallace, Val Du’Kett, Lix Hext lost 15-35; Hazel Bass, Viv Hempsell, Gill King lost 19-21; Karen Porter, Penny Hart, Moira Holroyd won 21-20.

DEFEAT FOR REIGNING CHAMPIONS

Reigning national champions Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford are out of the senior pairs they won at Skegness last August - beaten in the Northants semi-final by Ketton clubmates Elizabeth Wallace and Carol Warters 18-12.

The Rutland pair will meet Deeping’s Terri Handley and Pam Owen in the final at Parkway on July 24. 

However, Wallace lost her Senior singles to Joan Robinson, who will meet Empingham’s Pat Jones in the final after a 21-18 defeat of Ford. 

The Ketton trio of Warters, Suffling and Ford lost both their two-bowl and three bowl rinks semi-finals respectively to Yaxley (16-15) and to the Stamford Town combination of Moira and Helen Holroyd and Linda Starbuck (13-11).

It could be an all-Blackstones final in the Northants Federation men’s two-bowl singles after Jon Earl beat Graham Agger 21-15 to earn a semi against Paul Dalliday (Parkway). Stephen Harris accounted for Sean Fenlon 21-10. Harris meets either Mick Humphreys or Peter Smith.

Ally McNaughton (Wittering) also beat Smith 21-7 at Deeping on his way to the four-bowl singles semi-final against Tom Newman (Whittlesey Manor). In the other half of the draw Earl meets either Fenlon or Andy Cox.

Martin Dolby (Blackstones) meets Langtoft’s former national champion Peter White in the Veteran’s singles for a place in the county final. Dolby beat Jim Ruddy with White beating Kevin Vinter (Stamford Town) 21-15.

Wednesday 29th June

NORTHANTS COUNTY DOUBLE

For the first time this season both Northants Federation’s Adams and Newton teams won on the same day in the men’s national county men’s championships, but it was too little too late for either team to qualify for the Skegness climax.

The Adams team won 165 -146 away at Radwinter against North Essex, while the Newton side made it three wins out of four away to North Cambs (174-165) at March.

The Adams’ 18 points helped them leapfrog North Essex to climb off the bottom of the table.

The Newton team trail leaders Lincs by 11 points and next weekend’s opponents Norfolk by three going into the final fixture, but their 16 points return could have been more with the rinks of Tom Fielding and Ally McNaughton losing by one and two shots respectively.

RESULTS

ADAMS TROPHY: Northants 165 (18), North Essex 146 (4): (Northants rinks only) – Richard Allam, Jay Travis Jenner, Paul Bailey won 27-15; Roger Stevens, Zack & Peter Brown lost 21-31; Neil Wright, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger won 38-25; Stuart Agger, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington lost 24-28; Michael Humphreys, Mark Pye, Jon Earl won 25-20; Howard Shipp, Ray Keating, Paul Buckley won 30-27.

NEWTON TROPHY: Northants 174 (16), North Cambs 165 (6): (Northants rinks only) – Malcolm Mann, Darren MIddleton, Ally McNaughton lost 27-29; Les Sharp, Martin Welsford, Tony Belson won 40-25; Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery won 33-19; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence lost 19-37; Gareth Dickenson, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding lost 25-26; Steve Lander, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter won 30-29.

FORD FIRST TO THE FINAL

Christine Ford (Ketton) will meet Emma Providence (Market Deeping) in the final of the Northants Women’s two-bowl singles when the championship finals are staged at Parkway BC on July 24.

They are among the first to make it through after Providence beat Lynne Betts (Whittlesey Manor) 21-10 and Ford was conceded her semi-final against Tina Tinklin.

Ford is chasing several other titles, including two triples and the regular pairs.

In the two bowl rinks, Ford played with Carol Warters and Shirley Suffling to beat Moira and Helen Holroyd and Ann Holmes 20-19 and join Ketton clubmates, Helen Tilley, Val Du’Kett and Elaine Upton, 32-7 winners at Yaxley, in the last four.

In the men’s two-bowl singles Stephen Harris (Blackstones) could meet Paul Dalliday (Parkway) in the final after beating Sean Fenlon (Parkway) and Wayne Morris (Blackstones) 21-13 and 21-10 respectively in the quarter-finals.

In the four-bowl discipline an all-Blackstones match saw Jon Earl conquer Adam Warrington 21-15. Earl now plays former EBA under 25 singles champion Michael Jeapes (who beat Paul Buckley 21-8) in the quarter-final.

Former 2012 national veteran singles winner Peter White (Langtoft)  beat Kevin Vinter (Stamford Town) to earn a place in the semi-final against either Martyn Dolby or Jim Ruddy.

DEFEAT FOR WOMEN

Northants Women’s Bowling Federation team returned with just four points from their Donald Steward Trophy visit to North Essex in a 120-106 defeat at Cornard BC.

Result (Northants names only) North Essex 120 Northants 106. N Squires, T Handley, W Stevens lost 15-29; C Warters, S Suffling, C Ford won 36-15; E Wallace, V Du’Kett, L Hext lost 15-35; H Bass, V Hempsell, G King lost 19-21; K Porter, P Hart, M Holroyd won 21-20.

PRESIDENTS REMEMBERED

The funeral of Northants Bowling Federation president Dick Noble was held at Peterborough Crematorium and attended by many bowlers wearing county or club colours as requested by the family.

Sympathisers included current English Bowling Federation president Trevor Hardingham from Norfolk, with donations of nearly £925 raised for the Sue Ryder charity.

Another former president, Arthur Lonslow, who served in the role for Stamford and District Indoor Bowls Club from 2018-19 has died. He had played for the club’s men’s A & B teams, the Over 60s and with his wife Janet for the mixed and friendly teams, having taken up the game less than a decade ago.

For 23 years he was a maintenance electrician at Dow-Mac and for 17 years a generator winder at Newage. 

Other former Stamford IBC bowlers who have passed away recently include Barbara Romaine, David Ingram and Rob Church.

Tuesday 21st June

Northants News:

SETBACK FOR FEDERATION BOWLERS

Northants Federation’s Newton Trophy men’s team’s hopes of reaching the national finals at Skegness in August were dented when they lost their unbeaten record at Grantham, picking up just five points from a 149-165 defeat by Lincolnshire.

Lincs had also won their first two matches but are now nine points clear in the southern section with two fixtures remaining, Northants travel to North Cambs on Saturday, then face Norfolk, while Lincs are at home to Suffolk then travel to Hunts.

Northants led most of the match, but in a devastating five ends the home side added 35 shots to take control for by 13-shot margin, which they held in completing 31 ends.

Meanwhile, the Northants Adams team suffered a third successive defeat - beaten 196-130 by Lincs at Boston, returning home with just two points from the 22 at stake.

RESULTS

ADAMS TROPHY: NORTHANTS 130 (2), LINCS 196 (20) – (Northants rinks only): Wayne Morris, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington lost 28-30; Michael Humphreys, Mark Pye, Jon Earl lost 25-31; Howard Shipp, Ray Keating, Paul Buckley lost 14-32; Jay Travis-Jenner, Martin & Paul Bailey lost 15-30; Roger Stevens, Jeremy Tucker, Zack Brown lost 11-49; Neil Wright, Mick Linnell, Graham Agger won 36-24.

NEWTON TROPHY: NORTHANTS 149 (5), LINCS 165 (17) – (Northants rinks only): Andy Emery, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding won 28-17; Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery won 33-32; Peter Cox, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter drew 23-23; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence lost 20-33; Malcolm Mann, Darren Middleton, Ally McNaughton lost 22-27; Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson lost 23-33.

X. X. X 

Northants women’s teams are still seeking their first wins in the English Women’s Bowling Federation county championships following their latest home defeats against Suffolk.

The Donald Steward team, playing at City of Peterborough, collected just three points in a 96-127 defeat with Gill King the only winning skip. At Yaxley, the Silver Jubilee Vase team went one point better in a 82-112

DONALD STEWARD TROPHY: Northants 96 (3), Suffolk 127 (15) – (Northants rinks only): Elizabeth Wallace, Val Du’Kett, Liz Hext lost 15-33; Joan Robinson, Viv Hempsell, Gill King won 23-18; Tina Tinklin, Penny Hart, Moira Holroyd lost 21-23; Norma Squires, Wendy Stevens, Myra Landsburgh lost 16-32; Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford drew 21-21.

SILVER JUBILEE VASE: Northants 82 (4), Suffolk 112 (14) – (Northants rinks only): Christine Pell, Gina Shoebridge, Ann Northen lost 12-33; Dawn Prosser, Gill Day, Carol Grief lost 14-17; Sue Seed, Karen Porter, Ann Holmes lost 15-24; Linda Toms, Terri Handley, Pauline Jones won 26-20; Kate Heath, Marlene Osbourne, Joyce Needham won 21-18.

ALLY’S ON SONG IN SINGLES CHART

Ally McNaughton, combining his duties as president of the Stamford  League with a serious competitive programme, has reached the quarter-finals of the Northants Federation 4-bowl singles with a stunning 21-6 defeat of Whittlesey Manor’s Graham Agger at Wittering.

He plays Peter Smith (Deeping Assn) or John Holroyd (Stamford Town), while in the champions singles Peter Cox (Langtoft) and Jonathan Corby (Empingham) have reached a similar stage with respective defeats of Brian Bassam (Peterborough and District) and Ralph  Barker (Whittlesey Town) 21-18 & 21-16.

In the Senior mixed pairs Ketton’s Dave & Helen Tilley never came to terms withYaxley’s end rink, losing 19-9 to former national champions Les Sharp & Gill King. 

In-form Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton) has reached the semi-finals of both the Champions and Senior singles, following wins over Pat Jones (Empingham) and Norma Squires (City of Peterborough) 21-20 and 21-12 respectively.

Finals of the NBF & NWBF championships are at Parkway BC on July 24, with Angela Cox (Langtoft) and President Viv Hempsell (Yaxley) already assured to be there contesting the secretary’s singles.

For more news and results visit www.northantsbowlingfederation.co.uk

Wednesday 15th June

NORTHANTS LATEST

With the county finals at Parkway BC on Sunday, 24th July clearly in their sights, Northants Federation bowlers are nervously contemplating quarter and semi-final places as competition and weather begins to heat up.

In the blue riband men’s two bowl singles, Wayne Morris (Blackstones) booked a place in the last eight against Dave Roberts (Market Deeping) or Paul Dalliday (Parkway), by defeating Tom Newman (Whittlesey Manor) 21-14.

In the veteran’s event Kevin Vinter (Stamford Town) overcame 2015 national title winner Bob Warters (Ketton) 21-20 after trailing by six and producing a wonder bowl to keep in the game. He plays either Peter White (Langtoft), EBF wInner in 2010 or John Thurston (Yaxley). Martyn Dolby (Blackstones) faces Jim Ruddy (Parkway) after beating Whittlesey Manor’s Roger Strong by 11 shots.

In the mixed pairs Paul Buckley (Blackstones) and Shirley Suffling (Ketton) meet Stephen and Louise Harris (Blackstones), while Helen and Dave Tilley (Ketton) surprised Ann Holmes and Richard Allam (Stamford Town) 20-7. Peter and Angela Cox (Langtoft) won by a similar score at Yaxley. 

Chris Ford (Ketton) meets driving instructor Tina Tinklin (Burrows Court) in the women’s two-bowl singles semi-final for a place in the final against either Emma Providence (Market Deeping) or Lynn Betts (Whittlesey Manor) - a 21-14 winner against Suffling. 

Defending national champions Ford and Suffling face clubmates Carol Warters and Elizabeth Wallace for a place in the county final of the Senior pairs as well as Ketton duo Helen Tilley and Elaine Upton in the pairs.

 NEWTON TROPHY TEAM CONTINUE GOOD FORM

Northants Bowling Federation’s Newton Trophy team made it two wins out of two with another emphatic victory at Whittlesey Manor, defeating Hunts 171-146 to move to the top of the southern section with 38 points from a possible 44.

They face a run-in of three away matches starting with a trip to Grantham on Saturday to face Lincolnshire.

Against Hunts, they won on five of the six rinks to collect 20 points, with the trio of Malcolm Mann (Empingham), Darren Middleton (Blackstones)  and Ally McNaughton (Wittering) producing a late surge of shots to win 35-25.

Elsewhere, Northants Adams Trophy team lost by just three shots overall against defending champions Hunts at Parkway. Rink honours were shared but Hunts claimed the overall spoils 165-162.

The Northants wins came from rinks skipped by Adam Warrington (Blackstones), Paul Bailey (Blackstones) and James Harford (Parkway).

RESULTS

ADAMS TROPHY: Northants 162 (6 pts), Hunts 165 (16) – (Northants rinks only): Wayne Morris, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington won 31-22; Graham Agger, Ray Keating, Paul Buckley lost 17-30; Roger Stevens, Zack Brown, Paul Bailey won 32-30; Neil Wright, Michael Humphreys, Jon Earl lost 25-35; Stuart Agger, Mick Linnell, Roger Martin lost 26-28; Howard Shipp, Mike Robertson, James Harford won 31-20.

NEWTON TROPHY: Northants 171 (20), Hunts 146 (2) – (Northants rinks only): Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery lost 21-25; Gareth Dickenson, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding won 23-22; Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson won 32-28; Peter Cox, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter won 32-26; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence won 28-20; Malcolm Mann, Darren Middleton, Ally McNaughton won 35-25.

FOOTNOTE: The funeral of former Northants Bowling Federation president Dick Noble takes place at Peterborough Crematorium on Thursday, June 23 (3 pm) followed by a wake Peterborough & District IBC.The family have requested that mourners wear bowls shirts. Donations to Sue Ryder Trust.

For more information visit www.northantsbowlingfederation.co.uk

Wednesday 8th June

SECOND LOSS FOR NORTHANTS WOMEN

Northants Women’s Federation’s Donald Steward team suffered a second successive defeat in the English Women’s Bowling Federation inter-county championship when they were beaten 99-111 away to North Cambs at March Town, picking up just four points.

NORTHANTS 99 (2), NORTH CAMBS 111 (14) – (Northants rinks only): Elizabeth Wallace, Val Du’Kett, Liz Hext lost 8-27; Sally Albany, Viv Hempsell, Gill King won 29-16; Terri Handley, Penny Hart, Moira Holroyd lost 15-25; Norma Squires, Wendy Stevens, Myra Landsburgh won 22-17; Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford lost 25-26.

EARLY DEFEAT FOR CHAMPION COX

Defending Northants Federation veteran singles champion Peter Cox (Langtoft) has been beaten in the first round by evergreen Joe Martin at Peterborough & District 21-19.

And after beating one of the favourites - Sean Fenlon at Parkway 21-9 - Stamford Town’s Richard Allam is also out, a victim on his own green of Barry Lawrence (Burrows Court) 21-15. 

Martyn Dolby, defeated 21-17 at Blackstones by John Holroyd (Town) in the 4-bowl singles, won 21-6 at Market Deeping against Tony Kemp in the vets discipline. 

Other four-bowl winners include John Earl (Blackstones) and Ally McNaughton (Wittering) successful at Crowland and Whittlesey Manor against Mick Porter and Roger Stevens respectively.

Stephen Harris is first to reach the quarter-finals of the two-bowls singles - a 21-14 away success against Porter, while Jonathan Corby (Empingham) is in the semis of the champion of champions singles following a 21-16 success at Whittlesey Town over Ralph Barker.

In the women’s competitions - a double success for Christine Ford and Shirley Suffling (Ketton), beating Town’s mother and daughter Moira and Helen Holroyd in the pairs, after joining clubmate Carol Warters in the 3-bowl rinks for a 23-12 win at Yaxley.

Tuesday 7th June

NEWTON TEAM DROP BOMBSHELL ON SUFFOLK

 Northants Bowling Federation’s Newton Trophy team achieved a rare victory over Suffolk, who have won two of the last three titles at the national championships.

Captain Dave Corney’s team, featuring at least six players who play in the Stamford and District League, won on four of the six rinks at Whittlesey Manor in a convincing 192-153 victory. They claimed 18 of the 22 points at stake, and will host Hunts on Saturday with fresh confidence.

There were runaway victories for the rinks of Tony Belson (45-18), Tom Fielding (40-23) and Ally McNaughton (39-21), while Barry Lawrence’s rink held off a late charge to win 27-24.

The Northants Adams team, playing at Parkway in Peterborough, went down 140-178 (4-18) against Suffolk - only the rink wins by Blackstones skips Adam Warrington (33-18) and Paul Buckley (26-19) sparing their blushes.

RESULTS

ADAMS TROPHY: Northants 140 (4 pts), Suffolk 178 (18) – (Northants rinks only): Brian Martin, James Harford, Mike Robertson lost 24-36; Wayne Morris, Martyn Dolby, Adam Warrington won 33-18; Tom Newman, MIchael Humphreys, John Earl lost 19-35; Roger Stevens, Zack Brown, Paul Bailey lost 22-34; Graham Agger, Ray Keating, Paul Buckley won 26-19; Stuart Agger, Mick Linnell, Roger Martin lost 15-36.

NEWTON TROPHY: Northants 192 (18), Suffolk 153 (4) – (Northants rinks only): Malcolm Mann, Darren Middleton, Ally McNaughton won 39-21; Jim Ruddy, Dick Ford, Barry Lawrence won 27-24; Gareth Dickenson, Andrew Cook, Tom Fielding won 40-23; Les Sharp, Robert Heath, Tony Belson won 45-18; Peter Cox, Tony Mace, Kevin Vinter lost 20-35; Jeff Clipston, Mick Greaves, Alec Emery lost 21-32.

For more news, visit www.northantsbowlingfederation.co.uk

Tuesday 31st May

NORTHANTS LATEST

Stephen Harris (Blackstones) is chasing three Northants Bowling Federation singles titles but faces tricky hurdles if he is to progress. 

In the champion of champions and 2-bowl events he takes on Crowland’s Mick Porter at home and away respectively and then faces Tony Barwell (Empingham) in the four-bowl competition, having beaten Market Deeping’s Tony Kemp.

Clubmates Adam Warrington are through in the 4-bowl singles, beating Ken White (Empingham) and Wayne Morris (Blackstones) on the way 21-5 and 21-7 respectively. 

In the Senior singles, John Suffling (Ketton) lost at Yaxley against John Thurston and clubmate Dick Ford lost 21-11 to Jonathan Corby at Empingham in the champions singles.

In the women’s competitions, Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford are chasing a repeat of last year’s success when they won both the county and national senior pairs, kicking off with a win at Crowland against Joan Collishaw and Carol Grief.

In the 4-bowl singles, Suffling won against Louise Harris, while Ford went out to Angela Cox. In the Senior mixed pairs the Ketton combinations of Carol and Bob Warters and Chris and Dick Ford were beaten respectively 23-9 by Whittlesey Town duo Penny Hart & Ralph Barker and 18-8 by Liz Hext and Cliff Watson. Suffling and Paul Buckley (Blackstones) conceded only one shot when winning at West Ward.

For full results visit www.northantsbowlingfederation.co.uk

Wednesday 24th May

EBF results.

Durham Centenary Trophy: Blackstones through.

Bowlers from the Blackstones club have reached the southern area semi-final of the Durham Centenary Trophy, the English Bowling Federation inter-club event, having won the Northants county team triples (Dan Duffy Trophy) last year.

They beat Radwinter from North Essex 111-58 at Blackstones’ green.

Blackstones names only: W Morris, D Middleton, P Buckley won 27-14; M Stokes, M Pye, A Warrington won 29-16; Trevor Smith, P Martlew, M Dolby won32-12; Rita Downs, SHarris, J Earl won 23-16.

Other Northants Federation news:

Elsewhere in the Northants Federation, the veterans singles is building up to a highly competitive event but without success for two of Empingham’s fancied contenders. Malcolm Mann lost 6-21 to Ray Keating while Mike Ramsden went down 10-21 to Sean Fenlon. 

Former winner Bob Warters (Ketton), who beat Phil Burbridge 21-12 at Whittlesey Manor, will face Stamford Town’s Kevin Vinter - a  21-17 winner against Manor’s Dave Corney. 

Ally McNaughton (Wittering) defeated Parkway’s Martin Rimes 21-11 in the four-bowl singles.

In the women’s events, Shirley Suffling (Ketton) defeated Louise Harris (Blackstones) in the 2-bowl singles but then lost to clubmate Chris Ford in the Senior singles. Another Ketton pair - Helen Tilley and Elaine Upton defeated two from West Ward 18-14. 

There were also wins for Harris, Ford and Pat Jones (Empingham) in the four-bowl singles.

Northants Men’s Adams Trophy team will kick-off their inter county campaign on June 4 at home to Suffolk at Parkway BC while the Northants Newton Trophy team entertain Suffolk simultaneously at Whittlesey Manor (2pm starts).

Northants women’s Donald Steward team visit March Town on June 1 to play North Cambs: C Warters, S Suffling, C Ford; E  Wallace, V Du’Kett, L Hext; H Bass, V Hempsell, G King; J Phillips, N Squires, J Robinson; P Hart, T Handley, M Holroyd.

Wednesday 18th May

DEFEAT FOR BOWLERS IN COUNTY SIDES

Bowlers from the Stamford area were among those representing the Northants Women’s Bowling Federation who competed in the opening round of the national inter county championship against Norfolk on Monday.

Angela Cox (Langtoft), Moira Holroyd (Stamford Town), Terrri Handley (Deeping Association) and Ketton quintet Valerie Du’Kett, Chris Ford, Shirley Suffling, Elizabeth Wallace and Carol Warters all played for the senior Donald Steward Trophy team.

Results:
Donald Steward Inter County ( at Acle): Norfolk 124(16pts) - Northants 92(2). Northants names only: C Warters, S Suffling, C Ford lost 18-31; E Wallace, V Du’Kett, L Hext lost 16-27; H Bass,GKing, J Robinson won 18-17; JPhillips,P Hart, N Squires lost 21-27; A Cox, M Holroyd, T Handley lost 19-22.

Silver Jubilee Vase (at Martham): Norfolk 147 (16) - Northants 82 (2). Northants names only: S Albany, V Slater, C Grief lost 13-36; K Heath, M Osborne, J Needham lost 17-26; K Porter, M Stones, V Hempsell lost 17-26; T Tinklin, L Toms, W Stevens lost 16-36; C Pell, G Shoebridge, A Cooper won 24-20.

FEDERATION COMPETITIONS UNDER WAY

Northants Men’s & Women’s Bowling Federation competitions are under way in 21 disciplines including singles, pairs and triples for men and women and two mixed pairs and mixed triples events.

An early shock came  in the men’s two-bowl singles when Adam Warrington (Blackstones), a multi-winner of the county title and three times national champion was beaten 21-17  on his own green in the first round by Deeping’s Peter Smith. 

Richard Allam (Stamford Town) beat county deputy president Dave Corney 21-12 at Whitttlesey and in the 4-bowl singles came an away win at Crowland for Ketton’s John Suffling, 21-7 against Denis Cottam.

In the Veteran’s singles Paul Buckley (Blackstones) returned to competitive play after injury but lost to Jim Ruddy 21-15 and Dennis Starbuck (Town) was beaten by Cliff Watson.

Former winners of the senior mixed pairs Shirley Suffling and Buckley held a seven shot lead with three ends to play against Ketton’s Carol and Bob Warters, who forced an extra end and won it with a single on the 22nd.

An early result from the women’s individual competitions was the 21-14 defeat of Linda Kemp by Market Deeping clubmate Emma Providence.Wednesday 11th May

First Federation County Fixtures

Five Ketton bowlers have been included in the Northants Federation Donald Steward women's team to compete in the opening EWBF inter-county fixture against Norfolk at Acle on Monday. The Silver Vase team will play at Martham.

Donald Steward Trophy squad: C Ford, S Suffling, V Du’Kett, C Warters, E Wallace (Ketton), A Cox (Langtoft), T Handley (Deeping Assn.), V Hempsell, J Robinson (capt), M Landsburgh, G King (Yaxley), N Squires, J Phillips (City of Peterborough), L Hext (Burrows Court), P Hart (Whittlesey Town), M Holroyd (Stamford Town).

Northants EWBF county fixtures: Monday, May 16 - both teams away to Norfolk (Acle & Martham); Wednesday, June 1: Steward team away to North Cambs (March Town); Wednesday, June 15 - both teams home to Suffolk ( City of Peterborough & Yaxley); Tuesday, June 28: Steward team away to North Essex (Cornard); Wednesday, July 13 – both teams home to Hunts (CoP & Yaxley).

Our thanks to Bob Warters for report.

Sunday 24th April

EBF & EWBF National Indoor Championships 2022

Congratulations to all our local outdoor bowlers who represented Northants in the championships.

Ladies' Pairs - Joan Robinson Rose Bowl

Ketton bowlers Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford were looking to complete a pairs double, having previously won the outdoor seniors' event at Skegness last summer, but they came up against Derbyshire’s former winners of the ladies' competition, Karen Chapman and Pauline Marple.

After beating duos from Cleveland and Durham convincingly, Shirley and Chris led 10-5 in the final before their opponents switched positions, as Federation rules allow. Chapman and Marple  immediately picked up a maximum, then went into the lead 15-14 with two ends to play. The match was tied going into the final end but the Derbyshire pair grabbed the shot they needed for a 16-15 victory.

Ladies' Senior Singles - The Rushbrook Bowl

After a bye in Round 1, Elizabeth Wallace (Ketton) beat E Parker from North Essex by 21-20, then lost to P Browne of Durham in the semi-final.

Ladies' Rinks - Lincolnshire WBA Challenge Bowl

E Wallace, C Ford and S Suffling from Ketton lost to P Browne, A Upsall and P Carlin from Durham.

Men's Singles - Federation Plate

Stephen Harris (Blackstones) beat P Butcher from North Cambridgeshire by 21-5, then R Robinson (Derbyshire) by 21-20. He lost in the semi-final to K Rands (Lincolnshire) by 17-21

Men's Senior Singles

Tony Barwell (Empingham) lost to R Goldsmith (Northumberland).

Men's Pairs - Fred Fossit Trophy

Chris Ballard (Empingham) and Brian Martin (Parkway) beat S Botten and J Kennedy (North Essex) 21-18, then lost 23-15 to L Greaves and G Shepperson (Derbyshire).

Mixed Rinks - The Jim Thomson Trophy

Moira & John Holroyd and Kevin Vinter (Stamford Town) lost to K Paterson, D Paterson and J Sneller (Durham).

Future star?

12 year-old Ollie Jeaps (Parkway), representing Northants, won the Men's Under 25 title. After beating opponents from Norfolk (21-4) and Humberside (21-11), in the final he quickly established a 15-7 lead against Morgan Topliss (Derbyshire) after 7 ends and 18-8 after 12 ends. His older and taller opponent hit back, but on the 22nd end Jeapes secured the shots he needed for another 21-11 victory. Ollie plays his domestic bowls and practises at Stamford IBC. He was also a member of the victorious Spalding team in the prestigious Denny Cup final at the EIBA Championships in Nottingham.

Full details of the results can be found at fedbowls.co.uk 

Monday 28th March:

Local outdoor bowlers dominate County Indoor Finals.

Ketton Bowls club will be represented in three disciplines when the English Bowling Federation stages its national championship at Newark IBC from April 19-23 after its players dominated the Northants Women’s Bowling Federation finals at Stamford IBC.

Elizabeth Wallace won the Senior singles, Shirley Suffling (county vice-President) and Christine Ford the pairs and the trio combined to take the rinks title.

For Wallace it was a satisfying victory against her club rival Ford after trailing 14-17 at 21 ends. But a four-count turned the tables and she followed it with a single and a three to finally clinch victory in their marathon match.

For Suffling and Ford in the pairs, it was more straight forward. They dominated county competition secretary Valerie Du’Kett (Ketton) and county secretary Terri Handley (Deeping Association) 22-13. And in the triples Suffling and Ford joined Wallace to topple Rose March (Ketton), Pat Jones (Empingham) and Denise Mackie (Ketton) 21-15.

Featuring in all four sessions of the finals, Ford was hoping to retain the mixed rinks when it was last played in 2020 with Blackstones pair Adam Warrington and Martyn Dolby. However, they found a Stamford Town trio in relentless form.

Moira and John Holroyd peppered the jack from the first end and with skip Kevin Vinter rocked their illustrious opponents by racing into a 19-0 lead in just nine ends. They conceded a four count on the next end but then added six more shots for a 25-4 victory.

Elsewhere Deeping neighbours Brian Martin (Parkway) and Chris Ballard (Empingham) teamed up for a 24-14 defeat of Stamford Town’s Holroyd and Richard Allam, while Stephen Harris (Blackstones) beat Mick Humphreys (Whittlesey Manor)  21-9 in the men’s singles and Tony Barwell (Empingham) overcame Cliff Watson (Peterborough & District) to take the veterans crown 21-8.

Our thanks to Bob Warters for these reports and for the photos (in Photo Gallery 2022).