Flying start for Northants A as they crush their B team

Northants A before their Derbyshire Trophy win over Northants A. (Back row, left to right): Tony Scarr, Martyn Dolby, Simon Law, Paul Dalliday, Jeff Newson, Roger Martin. (Front row): Nick Wilkie, Adam Warrington, Tristan Morton, James Harford (captain), Michael Humphreys, Stephen Harris, Tony Mace (county president).

They won on all four rinks to claim the maximum 14 points as they set off in search of success in this English Bowling Federation indoor inter-county championship competition.

The comprehensive nature of the result was in stark contrast to last year when the A team scrambled home by just two shots in what was the B side’s first-ever match in the competition.

The A team ended up third in the southern section following defeats at the hands of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, but they will have home advantage against both those counties this season.

Northants B, beaten by their A team in the Derbyshire Trophy. (Back row, left to right) Malcolm Squires (captain), Richard Allam, Paul Bailey, Rod Maplethorpe, Peter Brown, Cliff Watson, Brian Bassam, Dick Noble. (Front row) Mike Ramsden, John Holroyd, Helen Holroyd, Les Sharp, Mick Linnell, Tony Mace (county president).

Northants have only ever reached two Derbyshire Trophy finals, winning both in 1996 and 2006.

In Sunday’s clash, Martyn Dolby’s rink led the way with a 39-9 victory, with Simon Law (33-19), Roger Martin (29-16) and Tristan Morton (24-20) completing the ‘whitewash.’

Although the margin of victory was a wide one, the B team won 47 of the 100 ends played, but were punished for dropping too many significant counts.

RESULT

Northants A 125 (14), Northants B 64 (0) – (Northants A rinks first):

Nick Wilkie, Jeff Newson, Tristan Morton 24, Helen Holroyd, Cliff Watson, Peter Brown 20.

Paul Dalliday, James Harford, Simon Law 33, Brian Bassam, Dick Noble, Paul Bailey 19.

Stephen Harris, Tony Scarr, Martyn Dolby 39, Mike Ramsden, Richard Allam, John Holroyd 9.

Adam Warrington, Michael Humphreys, Roger Martin 29, Les Sharp, Mick Linnell, Rod Maplethorpe 16.

n The Peterborough men’s senior team made it two wins out of two in the Cambs League following a 77-54 victory away to Wisbech.

The local side picked up eight points out of ten for the second match running, with the rink wins coming from Ray Keating, Rod Maplethorpe and Mick Linnell.

n The English indoor inter-club championship begins this weekend with Peterborough in action against Cambridge Chesterton on Saturday.

Stamford, who have a number of leading city players in their squad, face an intriguing clash with local rivals Spalding.

Peterborough are also in action on Sunday when they face City of Ely in the opening round of the Top Club.