The bowls A team start their title defence against the B team

Winning captain Ally McNaughton with the Cliff Watson Memorial Shield.

Northants A begin their defence of the English Bowling Federation's Indoor County Championship on Saturday afternoon when they face their B team at Peterborough & District.

Simon Law's team went through last season unbeaten in the Derbyshire Trophy group stage before defeating Nottinghamshire in the final at Lincoln, writes Melvyn Beck.

The B team have a new captain this season in Dudley Smith.

TEAMS

Northants A: Brian Martin, Tom Newman-Borrett, John Earl; Paul Dalliday, Michael Jeapes, Simon Law; Stuart Agger, Graham Agger, Peter Brown; Michael Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Martyn Dolby.

Northants B: Peter Linnell, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter; Wayne Aspinall, Ally McNaughton, Mike Anderson; Martin Prudhoe, Mick Linnell, Neil Wright; Malcolm Mitchell, Andy Cox, Roger Martin.

A team representing Northants Bowling Federation defeated a Peterborough & District line-up 125-83 in a match held in memory of Federation stalwart and former county president Cliff Watson, who died earlier this year.

Northants won on five of the six rinks in a match that is expected to become an annual fixture on the local bowls calendar.

County president Martyn Dolby presented retiring treasurer Les Sharp with a Northants Bowling Federation life membership in recognition of his long service to the county, including the last 11 years as treasurer.