The one thing you can guarantee when you see the pantomime at Kettering, Cheryl Fergison will be endlessly entertaining.

Playing the villainous Malevolent in Beauty and the Beast at the Lighthouse, the star best known for her role as Heather Trott in Eastenders. She is looking forward to being bad.

Cheryl said: “Being known in Eastenders as the nice one, it’s great to show people that you can do something else. It is great for an actor to play a baddie, you get to do things like making children cry.

“I’ve seen people so wicked, panto is where you get young people to become theatre goers. They are the future. You want to make sure that they get the story and you want them to go, when I was five I went and saw this pantomime, she was scary.

“It’s nice to wear good make up, have glittery costumes but I always keep a headband. There’s a little bit of Heather in my character.”

But what does Cheryl find the biggest challenge doing the show.

He said: “The challenge for me is getting through three shows a day. I’ll be doping Groundhog Day, you do the first one you get the reaction.

“You can’t do half rations, you can’t get away with it. I can’t bear it.

“It costs quite a bit for a family to see it, they might have saved up to do, and it’s their family treat and why would anybody not give it everything knowing that. We’ve got to go out and do our very best.”

And she has fond memories of her time in Albert Square despite leaving four years ago.

“I had an amazing time and keep in touch with people. It was a fun time, it was hard work. I know people say it was a family atmosphere but it was. In a way, I saw my soap family more than I did my own family. I had a laugh every day, where as an actor to be able to play so many different emotions you have to different shows. But you can play one characters with a gamut of emotions.

“It was quite rigorous. You can be in from 7am to 7pm or 8pm. You may need to know 25 to 35 scenes in a day. If you are on two and three scene, you just be enthusiastic. There’s no rehearsal. You run the scene and it is a multi- camera taking different angles.

“The rule is if you have been seen to die, then you can’t come back. That’s the rule.

“I would love to go back as Heather’s twin sister who’s Scottish and called Leather Trott.”

Beauty and the Beast runs from Saturday December 10 to Monday January 2 with performances taking place at a variety of times throughout the run.

For further information about the pantomime or to book tickets in advance call the box office on 01536 414141 or online at www.lighthousetheatre.co.uk.

Two men have appeared in court over their alleged part in a brawl outside a Rushden nightclub which saw a man stamped on.

Jordan Murdoch, 26, of Cambridge Street, Wellingborough, and Brandon Cox, 26, of Croft Way, Rushden, entered no plea at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (November 16) to charges of affray.

The court heard that at 3am on June 26, a fight broke out outside Fate in Rushden’s High Street.

In the brawl, one man was seen to be stamped on and kicked while on the floor and knocked unconscious.

The incident was captured on CCTV, and it is alleged that both Cox and Murdoch committed affray.

Cox was later arrested in Albert Road but two other men fled the scene.

Prosecuting, Jerena Tomaszewska said: “This was drink-fuelled violence in the early hours of the morning.

“[There were] stamps and kicks to a man on the floor who was knocked unconscious.”

The pair were granted conditional bail to appear before Northampton Crown Court on December 14.

Defending, Jenny Evans asked for the date to be put back so Murdoch could concentrate on university exams - something which chairman of the bench David Young dismissed.

He said: “It is unsuitable for this court and it will be sent to Northampton Crown Court on December 14.”

Shoppers are being promised twice as much stock and thousands of bargains when the popular Joules sale returns to Corby.

Clothing for men, women and children with up to 70 per cent off will be on sale at Rockingham Speedway in Mitchell Road, Corby, next week.

Stock will be topped up daily, and this year sees the introduction of the event’s very first Black Friday room.

Head of shows for Joules, Leigh Gosson, said: “This year at Rockingham we will be taking twice the amount of stock we usually do, with an additional day too.

“Over 1,000 pairs of wellies, over 2,000 scarves, over 3,000 coats and blazers.

“It is going to be the biggest Rockingham event ever.

“This year we will have our very own Black Friday room with ultra amazing deals, never seen before at the event.

“There will also be the amazing Joules colouring wall to entertain children in the queue and festive games with prizes.”

The three-day sale is taking place from 11am to 8pm on Friday, November 25, 9am to 6pm on Saturday, November 26, and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, November 27.

Previous sales held by Joules at the speedway have attracted thousands of shoppers, with many queuing ahead of opening to get the best bargains.

Joules specialises in colourful, British-designed casualwear for men, women and children.

Its range also includes nightwear, shoes, boots, bags and accessories.

“It’s one of those games that sticks with you.”

That is Luther Burrell’s response when asked about Saints’ most recent trip to Sixways.

Because though it was more than a year ago - on the opening night of the previous Aviva Premiership season - what happened against Worcester will take a while to forget.

Perhaps if Saints can slay the Warriors tonight, they can banish the demons of Tom Heathcote’s dramatic last-gasp drop goal, which came in a 13-12 defeat last October.

“It was obviously the first game of the season and they came out of the blocks firing,” Burrell said.

“We didn’t really turn up in that game and it was very frustrating.

“When we got them back here at the Gardens we managed to pull one back and get the victory that day, but we know what kind of team they are with the players they’ve got.

“They’ve got threats all over the park and although Ben Te’o as been with England, they’ve got some outstanding midfielders.

“From watching them, Ryan Lamb’s playing well, pulling the strings at 10 so they are a dangerous team.

“At home, on a Friday night, they’re going to be fully ready for the challenge of us coming down.

“They’ve got the likes of Dows (Phil Dowson), GJ (van Velze) and Lamby, who have been with us and know what our culture is about.

“They’ll be ready for us, but we’ve had a good week and it’s exciting.

“I’m really looking forward to trying to keep the momentum going.”

So has Burrell been engaging in some banter with his former team-mates in the build-up to the game?

“I let Dows crack on this week, but I might give him a text to tell him to watch himself,” Burrell joked.

“You normally catch up after the game.

“But one lad I have spoken to is Matti Williams, because I know he’s been suffering with injuries this year and I wanted to make sure he was all right.

“And he checked up on me with my head.

“I spoke to him on Monday and it will be good to catch up with the other boys after the game.”

Saints have won their past three matches, with Burrell, who returned from a concussion setback, playing his part in the two most recent ones, in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

It is a competition that has been much-maligned, but one that the 28-year-old has really savoured, with a smile etched on his face as he speaks about it.

“I tell you what - I’ve had a cracking couple of weeks,” Burrell said.

“To see some of the lads go out and express themselves, with no worries, has been great.

“The likes of Sam Olver, Rory Hutchinson, Tom Collins, it’s brilliant.

“It’s been fantastic for me, I’ve had a really good couple of weeks getting myself back in and running around with some of these younger boys.”

Those players have helped Saints build the winning habit they wanted going back into the Aviva Premiership, in which they have won three of their seven matches so far.

And Burrell said: “There’s been a lot of negativity around us and although some of the wins haven’t been pretty, they’re wins and that’s what carries the team forward.

“We know we’re back in the league now and we know we need to go and pick up points at Worcester.”

Cobblers boss Rob Page is hoping to have the luxury of being able to field his strongest side in Saturday’s derby with Peterborough United at Sixfields - something he couldn’t do at London Road last month.

The two sides met just four weeks ago across the Cambridgeshire border, and Posh eased to a 3-0 win against a much-changed Cobblers team, due to suspensions and an experimental team selection from Page.

With midfielders Matt Taylor and Jak McCourt unavailable as they were both banned, Page opted for an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation, with the decision ultimately backfiring.

Town played those three central defenders for the only time to date this season, while John-Joe O’Toole was left on the bench as Joel Byrom was given a first - and to date, only - league start of the campaign alongside Paul Anderson and Sam Hoskins in central midfield, with Alex Revell and Marc Richards both starting up front.

The manager insisted after the game that the defeat was more down to his team’s failure to deal with set-pieces - Posh’s first two goals came direct from corners - rather than the selection, and he stands by that belief.

But he is also relieved the squad goes into Saturday’s rematch in much better shape than they did for last month’s fixture, with key man Taylor definitely available and McCourt likely to feature, having recovered from a neck problem picked up in the FA Cup win over Harrow.

JJ Hooper is a doubt after suffering a thigh strain at Gillingham last weekend, but Page said: “Hopefully we will have some good news on Jak McCourt and JJ Hooper, and it will be nice to go in with a full-strength squad with no suspensions.

“We missed certain players at Peterborough, and hopefully I will have a headache trying to pick 11 from a full-strength squad for Saturday.”

Page felt 3-0 was harsh on his team at London Road, and with the score at 2-0 in the second half the Cobblers did have a spell of pressure where they had opportunities but didn’t take them.

“The ball just didn’t drop for us on the night,” said the Cobblers boss.

“There are many times this season where you have seen a melee in the box and you are waiting for the ball to hit the net, but that night it hit one of their defenders and went for a corner, or it hit the post, or the bar and it didn’t drop for us.

“Even at 2-0 I think JJ should score at the far post, and if he puts that in then it is 2-1 and we might have even gone on to get a draw, but it is all about fine margins.

“We miss that chance, and then they go up the other end and get the third goal on a counter-attack.”

Page is demanding a quick start from his team this weekend, saying: “I thought we grew into the game in the second half at their place, and we will be looking to do that from the first minute on Saturday.

“It is about us worrying about ourselves and imposing ourselves on them

“We will respect them and what they are all about, because they have some good players, are a good team, and are on a good run at the minute, but it is our home fixture, it’s our home pitch, we are in front of our home fans and we need to impose ourselves on them.

“We are really looking forward to this game, let’s put it that way.”

A bout of winter seconditis is one thing but filling the runners-up berth is becoming an annoying affliction for Towcester-based owner Steve Brown, who remains optimistic the habit will soon change.

Brown’s Lactodorum Contracts business sponsors Alex Hales’ yard at Edgcote but he enjoys a spread of interests, including shares in two horses with Julia Feilden at Newmarket, where he also sponsors the jockey Adam Beschizza.

Feilden’s Go On Gal has been second five times since April while Limerick Lord occupied that position at Southwell last Thursday, on an afternoon when Brown was patronising his home county track. For Hales, Brown owns Allnecessaryforce which was second at Windsor in the summer while winning hurdler Crafty Roberto was second in a Fakenham chase three weeks ago. At the weekend, Scooter Boy ran with distinction to be third of 15 runners in a Uttoxeter hurdle.

Brown juggles varying degrees of shares in these horses while also retaining an interest in Isaac Bell, Barenice, Duel At Dawn, and Running Wolf with Hales, the latter a promising fourth over timber at Huntingdon last week.

Despite the lure of sunny summer weather racing, jump racing remains at the core of his equine passion and he laughed: “Someone suggested if I get another horse I call it ‘Howmanyhaveyougot’ as it is a question I am often asked!”

Crafty Roberto’s last run should have restored confidence to the horse after a breathing operation and although Allnecessaryforce is likely to be out until the back end of the season with a suspensory injury, optimism is high Scooter Boy will lose his wayward tendencies over fences.

Brown said: “When he was fourth at Towcester last season he nearly threw Kielan (Woods) off before the first hurdle. We hope that going chasing will make a man of him.”

Isaac Bell is yet to re-capture the form which saw him win twice at this time last year but newcomer Duel At Dawn ran a pleasing fifth of 18 on his debut in this country after being second in a point to point and third in a maiden hurdle in Ireland. As Brown’s son Mason rides out at Sam Lee’s point-to-point yard at Blisworth, it seems only a matter of time before a complete set of racing codes is complete.

Meanwhile, Towcester stages its second November meeting next Thursday when the action is due to get underway at 12.35pm. Last Thursday’s additional seven race card was run for a total pot of £57,000, with the penultimate chase on the card, won by Oliver Sherwood’s Milgen Bay, worth just under £6,000 to the winner alone.

The Oliver Sherwood-trained Milgen Bay and opening race winner Fled Or Pled are the latest horses to enter the pantheon of Towcester’s hall of fame and have the tag ‘specialist’ bestowed on them.

Remarkably, in a 45-race career, Milgen Bay has only raced in Northamptonshire on three occasions, stretching back over five years, but has won each time. Huntingdon could hardly be a more contrasting track, lacking Towcester’s stiffness, but Milgen Bay has also claimed three successes there.

Former jump jockey Billy Worthington, assistant to Fled Or Pled’s trainer David Dennis, admitted the four-year-old is a quirky individual but he wouldn’t be the first horse to find his true metier on the Northamptonshire track.

CHESTER Williams was a relieved young jockey after riding his first winner under Rules at the 20th attempt at Towcester on Peruvien Bleu, a horse trained by his father Nick. Offering his congratulations in the winner’s enclosure afterwards, clerk of the course Robert Bellamy remarked: “Just remember... Ryan Moore rode his first winner at Towcester!”

This is true! As a 16-year-old apprentice, Moore was on board his father’s Mersey Beat which obliged as 5/2 favourite in an amateur riders’ handicap hurdle, in May 2000.

THE Caroline Bailey-trained Carli King made a highly encouraging comeback after a long lay-off when contesting the Sussex National at Fontwell on Sunday, before tiring in the soft ground. That was 24 hours after the yard’s Crosspark was second to Pobbles Bay in a novices’ handicap chase at Uttoxeter.

The post-Brexit pound in your pocket may have plunged...but there are still plenty who will fork out FIFTY QUID to enter the right match!

And no fewer than 80 people queued up to pitch cash into Sunday’s Ringers Two Venues Pairs event, earning a £3,500 prize fund shared among the top eight duos.

Part of the attraction may have been the unusual format: no individual or section prizes – and each pair fishing 40 miles apart on either Boddington or Barston.

When the results were in, two pairs had perfect two-point scores, Neil Russell and Glen Maxwell (Maxwell top weight with 70lb, on Boddington) collecting £800 and shading Maurice Williams and ‘Snowy’ Ashington on weight, with Steve and Phil Ringer third on three points.

Vast numbers of lads on budgets argue endlessly over whether or not club-sweep pools should go above a fiver.

But Boddington-Barston organiser Geoff Ringer said: “It amazes me. £100 a pair entry fee is a lot of money, but create something that tickles their fancies and people queue up to buy in.”

WITH pike and trout fishing now running side by side at Ringstead, Mike Rylark had a good snapper session with four doubles to 16lb. Pike of 21-8 and 19lb fell to deadbaits at Drayton.

Elinor’s trout have stayed on feed with Martin Garner getting an 8-3 rainbow. Pitsford was averaging 2.9 per rod, with many fish falling to bank anglers.

STILL needing rain, the Upper Ouse continues to throw up great catches from hotspot swims.

Pete Laughton won Nene’s Newton Blossomville do with 15-1 of silvers as Brian Beard had 9-15 and Ivor Stokes 9-7. A match at Stony Stratford was won with 22-14 of perch...with 20-12 at the next peg.

Chunky roach, dace and perch dominated Olney’s RBL Ouse open, Saturday, as Paul Caton had 14-9-12, Steve Bull 14-1-12 and Pete Laughton 13-12-12.

WHITE Hart Flore, Barby Marshes: Ted Adams 110-7, Gary Muddiman 67-6, Dave Griffiths 62-10.

MEADOWLANDS ind league third round: Stuart Pulsar 49-4, Pete Caton 45lb, Barry Byrd 42-6.

CASTLE Ashby, Grendon: Pete Lovell 48-8, Chris Garrett 26-4, Mick Wheeler 19-6.

CASTLE silverfish, Canons: Ian Halliwell 13-4, Paul Lafflin 10-5, Nick Antonacci 8-14.

COUNTY Vets, Canons: Alan West 12, Jeff Rice 9-12, Bob Spencer 6-15.

FLORE & Brockhall roach-only match, Hill View: Rob ‘crowquill’ Rawlins 7-8 (200 fish), Bob Prowse 5-7, Alan Brightman 2-2.

SPORTS & Social, Oundle Nene: Ken Taylor 7-8, Tony Glanfield 3-2, Dave Chamberlain 3lb.

TOWCESTER Vets, Cosgrove canal: Gerald Green 4-2, Les Goodridge 3-7, Gren Read 2-14.

FIXTURES: Dec 3 MKAA Christmas match, Ouse, 01234 713144; Tues Dec 6, 
Olney Ouse open 01234 240061.

it’s a case of a double delight for the ladies veterans of Dallington Lawn Tennis Club, with both the A and B sides winning their respective leagues.

In the Northampton Ladies Veterans Winter League Division One, Dallington A have picked up their first top flight title, finishing above last year’s winners Rugby A by two points. Rugby ended County’s division one dominance in the 2015 season, but there is set to be another new name on the trophy. Dallington A’s success has seen them win half of their matches 8-0, including victories against Northampton A and County A, as well as a couple of 6-2 victories, with one being against runners up Rugby A.

Lisa Hodges-Cox was a key contributor to her sides success, dropping just a single set in her 16 sets played, while partnering Jenny Gatley, Zoe Yuill and captain Nicky Wates. Other members of the title winning squad include Sara Young, Sue Robertson, Sue Vinney and Angela Vance.

Dallington’s Ladies Veterans B team enjoyed equal success, winning the division two title, and gaining promotion to the top league.

Second-placed Rushmere A still have a game to play, but have an impossible task to catch Dallington, who have an unassailable 11 point lead at the top. Dallington won four out of their five matches, which included an 8-0 win against Rugby B, and a 7-1 triumph over County C.

The only match they were unable to pick up a win in was a 4-4 draw with second placed Rushmere.

Captain Liz Dutton has been a regular feature in her side’s success, playing in every match. Her 100 per cent appearance record has seen her contribute to half of Dallington’s final 30-point total, winning 15 of her 20 sets played.

However, it isn’t just the veteran ladies at Dallington that are used to the winning feeling.

Both Dallington Ladies A and B sit top of division one and two respectively of the Northampton Ladies Winter League.

As well a this, Dallington ladies D sit second in divison four, just three points and behind leaders Towcester B, with a game in hand.

Kicking accuracy proved key as Northampton BBOB beat Heathens 24-20 at St Andrews Mill.

Heathens’ unusual lack of discipline and cohesion as a team at times lead to some poor decision making, which did not help their cause.

It led to them not getting on the right side of the referee in this hard-fought friendly fixture between two well-matched teams.

Craig Johnson was making his Heathens debut in the second row, having returned to rugby following a 13-year absence.

BBOB opened the scoring after 16 minutes when they won the ball at a scrum on their own 22-metre line and exploited a two-on-one overlap.

The Romany-based Heathens were quick to respond and a series of carries, with flanker Mark Evans and hooker Viorel Marin to the fore, led to Andy Ingate scoring in the corner.

But the conversion was missed and BBOB soon used their superior pace to earn a turnover and run the ball back 70 metres to score their second try.

Heathens responded on 28 minutes when No.8 Dan Stonehouse picked up off the base of a strong scrum and score.

This was followed by Heathens exerting pressure that led to a penalty, and from the ensuing lineout, flanker John Marlow was on the end of a drive to claim the score.

That put Heathens into the lead by a single point at 15-14 as the teams headed in for half-time.

BBOB regained the lead 20 minutes into the second half following some good running, only for Heathens to respond in the 75th minute when Stonehouse scored his second try.

Despite their efforts, Heathens were unable to maintain the lead and BBOB responded with an unconverted try in the corner with the last move of the game to run out 24-20 winners.

It was a competitive local derby game that could have gone either way and ultimately hinged on Heathens’ missed conversions.

This Saturday, Heathens remain in friendly action 
as they entertain Mens 
Own IIs at The Racecourse in what is always a close-run, competitive fixture. Kick-off is 2:15pm.

Sleaford 7 Casuals 26

CASUALS travelled to Sleaford and came away with a strong win in heavy conditions against a big team playing in the northern side of the midlands pyramid.

Casuals now progress to the fourth round of the Senior Vase.

Meanwhile, the Lewis Shield side beat Long Buckby to progress to round two, with Daventry lying in wait.

There were notable debuts from Colts Ashley Pearson and Matt Wainwright.

Elsewhere, Casuals IIs hosted an unknown Bletchley outfit, earning an impressive 27-0 win.

Big scrummaging and a pushover score by Mark Allwork laid the foundations inside the opening 10 minutes.

And an immense defensive effort was led by the young and the old of Tom Knight and Phillip Dent respectively.

The Colts rounded off a good week for the club by beating Stockwood Park 32-0.

TOWCESTRIANS IIs moved into the next round of the cup after cruising to a 26-0 victory at Old Halesonians.

Tows made nine changes, but still had some very good players on board.

Sam Aitchison scored Tows’ first try on 30 minutes.

They then stepped it up in the second period, with man of the match Ali Haynes leading the charge.

Kris Ancil scored Tows’ second try, with James Falvey converting, and the kicker then added the extras to Charlie Smith’s score.

Ben Roe finished things off, with Pepe Nanci converting.

It was a busy weekend of cross country action for Rugby & Northampton, who had representatives in four separate events last Saturday.

Angela Copson, R&N’s multi-record holder, represented England in the British & Irish Masters International, hosted at Tollcross Park in Glasgow. She joined up with the home nations’ best to compete for the Women’s Over-65 title.

It was a great trip north for Copson as she completed the 6km course in 24 minutes and 15 seconds, clinching first place ahead of Scotland’s Ann White and Jeanette Craig.

With the success, Copson has extended her winning streak in national and international cross country championships to 20 events, and it was her ninth international title in the last year of her competing in the over-65 age group.

The women’s senior and veteran teams were also in action on Saturday, competing in the first round of their new Midland Women’s League Division One campaign in Leamington.

The club finished ninth in division one with a strong veteran contingent. Jo Pulsford (26:22) was the first R&N runner home in 34th, while two places further back was Amy Sarkies (26:34), making her first appearance in the competition. Junior Rebecca Leadbeater (27:22) crossed the line in 44th and Daisy Melville (29:19) completed the scoring team in 75th.

Leamington proved even more successful for the masters collective as R&N clinched the runners-up spot. Brilliant finishes of sixth, seventh and 21st in the master competition by Pulsford, Sarkies and Melville helped seal second place.

Zoe Shepherd (30:17) finished 26th in the master age category and was supported by Helen Jones (31:36) in 31st, Catherine Williams (31:43) one place further behind and Minerva Chesser (32:09) in 34th.

While the women’s team were in Leamington, 17 male R&N athletes took to the course in the Birmingham League Division One in Cheltenham. Team A performed well to finish in 14th - an impressive position considering many of the club’s strongest runners were unavailable - while Team B claimed 11th.

Ben Musgrove (34:02) participated in the Birmingham League for the first time and the Under-20 athlete led the team home in 78th position. Following the 18-year-old across the line was Adnan Haq (34:17) in 89th.

Veteran Paul Birch (35:21) was next in 119th, while fourth and fifth in the R&N results were Robert Male (35:37) and Alistair McDonnell (35:44).

Completing Team A, in 140th, was Chris Lamb (36:00), while Peter Currington (36:29) was 13 places further back in a personal best 153rd. Also claiming a spot inside the top 200 was debutant Joe Childs (37:14) in 176th, and finishing within eight places of each other were veterans Nigel Roberts (210th, 38:28), Vince Carroll (213rd, 38:36) and Max Chippington (218th, 38:53).

Peter Thomas (39:30) came 235th, while Adrian White (42:48) claimed 274th place. Within a place of each other were Terry Egan (43:39) and Adrian Reast (43:42) in 281st and 282nd. Rounding off the R&N involvement was Ian Wright (46:50) in 295th and 298th-placed John Saw (50:00).

Over in Milton Keynes, three of R&N’s younger athletes competed in the British Athletics Cross Challenge Series. In the U17 competition, Adam Searle (19:32) finished 13th on the 5.9k course, while James Wizard (21:39) claimed 35th. Claudia Searle (10:34) competed in the Girls’ U13 race, finishing 10th over the 2.67k course.

Relentless Rose is still refusing to Meander

silson AC runner Paul Rose completed his 87th Marathon at the Thames Meander event. Rose pushed himself hard and was delighted with his time of 3:59:21.

Great running clearly runs in the Rose family, as Paul’s daughter, Chelsey Rose, gained yet again parkrun PB, this time in Swindon. Chelsey ran the 5km in 25:01.

Justine Verwey, Kit Rapson and Madeleine Moutrie took on and conquered the Dirt Half Challenge in Leighton Buzzard.

The trail event began in Buzzard and followed the canal towpath to Stoke Hammond, Great Brickhill and then passed through Stockgrove Country Park before following the Greensand Ridge back to the start via the canal towpath.

Round two of the Chiltern Cross Country League took place at Teardrop Lakes, in Milton Keynes. Silson AC once again had an astounding turn out of runners,

There were lots of fantastic efforts from the Silson runners but a few notable ones included Cez Probert competing just eight months after giving birth to her beautiful daughter, Darcy, while Fiona Storer completed her debut race for Silson AC. Fiona’s husband Simon (who ran his debut race for Silson in round one) and their children Jade and Jake also ran.

Madeleine Moutrie ran after also completing the Dirt Half Challenge in Leighton Buzzard. She just missed the start of the ladies’ race, but still ran the 5.6km distance , overaking lots of other ladies who did start on time and hadn’t run a half Marathon earlier that morning!

Cherwell Edge’s search for its next champion golfer has already started as the club began their winter junior training programme.

With Gary Boyd having come through the club junior ranks to compete full time on the European Tour in four seasons this decade, they are hoping he will provide inspiration for the next generation.

To assist in their promotion of junior golf, the club have enlisted the help of experienced PGA professional Mark McGeehan, who is holding a series of junior sessions on Saturday afternoons.

McGeehan said: “Junior golf is very important to me.

“I was once a young junior learning the game and without the encouragement, support and opportunity that I had, my life would have been very different.

“This is why I am passionate and dedicated to providing a fabulous opportunity for the young kids, to learn not only the technical and physical aspects of golf but also the life skills. Contact the club for more details of how to get involved.”

Boyd, meanwhile, will have to focus most of his attention next year on the European Challenge Tour after he failed to regain his card on the main European Tour for 2017.

After finishing outside the automatic qualification spots, the 30-year-old’s hopes of making it through Final Qualifying ended before they had even started as he was forced to drop out through illness on the eve of the competition.

Fellow county pro Ryan Evans (Wellingborough) is playing this week in Portugal.

County coaching

Northamptonshire Golf Ltd’s first winter training session was hailed as a success after 36 players attended the full day at Whittlebury Park.

With players from the men’s first and second teams, ladies, seniors and junior teams taking part, including several new faces, the day started with a presentation by their new strength and conditioning team from Prevail Golf Performance.

County PGA professionals Nick Soto, Richard Cartwright, James Whittemore and Adam Cartwright ran a set of skills tests in the morning, before the players had a nine-hole competition after lunch,

NGL director of player development Mike Gilbrook said: “The putting test, which was compared to the PGA average, went to Mark Bazeley who completed the course in 13 strokes against an average of 14.7. The distance prediction test using three wedges on the trackman simulator was won by Luis Witherall - he was an average of only 1.5 yards out per shot.

“Another distance control test, when a player hit five shots with three clubs, was won by Stephen Field who was less than 10 feet away per shot.

“The par test, over six holes, was informative because the purpose was to make the shots really difficult, so much so that sometimes the best option might have been to play away from the target.

“One of the shots had to be a plugged ball in the face of a steep bunker. This test was won by England Boys international Callum Farr, with a very good score of just two over par.

“After lunch, we had a nine-hole round on the Wedgewood course, and this was won by Jack Hall with a three-under-par score. Whilst all this was happening, a dozen players were chosen to have their strength and conditioning assessment with Prevail Golf.

“They will each receive a personalised plan of exercises that they should perform to improve their fitness and range of movement and are designed to help enhance their performance and prevent injury. We are lucky to have such a skilled team like Prevail working with us. It was a really successful day, with a lot of learning and fun had by everyone.”

NGL

Father and son Derek and Graham Bott had a week to remember after they both received recognition for their golfing achievements at club and county level respectively.

Graham Bott, who now plays at Wellingborough after several years as a Cold Ashby member, was the first to hear some good news as he was named as the new County first team captain for 2017.

After being part of the Northants side that last won the Anglian League in 2011, he replaces Greg Croxton, who has introduced a number of younger players into the set up over the last few years. Tom Burgh remains in charge of the second team.

Not to be outdone by his son, Derek also received plenty of praise a few days later at his home club of Cold Ashby as he was named 2016 golfer of the year.

Jayne Neale collected the ladies award on a day when the club captains Younus Nabi and Pamela Kerr presented a cheque for £6,620 to Ronald McDonald House Charities following a successful year of fundraising.

Dominic Clark was the hat-trick hero as division two JLB FC dumped division one Bubgrooke A out of the NFA Area Cup , beating them 3-2.

Bugbrooke replied through Shaun Daly and Thomas Emery.

Daventry Rangers lost 7-1 to Weedon, with Ben Drinkwater scoring four for the villagers.

Weedon’s other goals were netted by Curtis Lindeman, Reece Quinn and Luke Harris.

Harpole Reserves won by the same scoreline against Irthlingborough Rangers.

Ashley Worley scored twice, and there was one apiece for Melvin Gartland, Josh Healey, Stuart Schofield, Johnathan Spooner and Ryan Wilson, while Yelvertoft won 3-1 at Peterborough League side Wittering Reserves.

On the mark for Yelvertoft were David Rawes, Dan Jarvis and Stuart Burke.

Spratton Reserves are out after losing 5-2 to Byfield Tigers Athletic despite efforts from Matthew Donnelly and Harry Jones, while Wellingborough Rising Sun Reserves thumped West Haddon Albion Reserves 5-0.

In the Duston Garage Premier Division, Heyford Athletic eased to a 3-1 win over Earls Barton United to move up to fifth, with James Owen and Fraser Bennett among the goals.

Leaders James King Blisworth hammered Wollaston Victoria 8-2, with Aaron Chilton scoring a hat-trick, Ross Arundell and Dale Lewis two apiece and one for Tommy Waldock.

Roade leapfrogged Harpole to go second after seeing off their rivals 3-1 with goals from Joe Malkin, Ben Booker and Andrew Watts, with Daniel Surridge replying.

Brixworth All Saints lost 2-1 to Moulton while Spratton suffered a 4-0 defeat to Medbourne.

In Duston Garage Division One, Roade Reserves stayed second as goals from Ben Carter, Leo McDonnell, George Wingrove and Lee Broome (2) saw them secure a 5-3 win over Corby Eagles.

Woodford Wolves were 6-1 winners over Finedon Volta Reserves thanks to strikes from Josh Nowlan, James Batterley (2) and Connor Morson, who hit a hat-trick.

Milton had a good day as goals from Edward Dunham, Paul Henry, Albert Luck and Mark Field eased them to a 4-0 win over rock-bottom Kettering Orchard Park.

Grange Park Rangers moved into second place in Duston Garage Division Two thanks to a 4-1 win over Daventry Drayton Grange.

Steve Blackwood (2), Elliott Muddiman and Max Payne scored for Park, with Tony Burkett replying.

Leaders Mereway stay in control of the division after they made it eight wins out of eight by seeing off mid-table Higham Town 4-0. Sam Cooper scored twice, with Craig Cooper and Peter Smith adding singles.

In Duston Garage Division Four Heyford Athletic Reserves came out on the right side of a five-goal thriller against Northampton Falcons.

A double from Gentran Shahollaric and one from Lee Moore proved enough for Heyford, who move up to fourth in the table.

In Duston Garage Division Five, there was a first point of the season for Daventry Rangers Reserves as they drew 3-3 with high-flying Corby Ravens.

Moulton Reserves went down 2-1 to Higham Town Reserves.

Northants Thunder pushed Men’s National League Division Three South Conference leaders Sussex Bears all the way before narrowly losing 78-71.

A basket from Adam Thomas meant the scores were level at 61-61 in the second minute of the final quarter, and although Sussex then went on a 12-2 scoring run, Thunder fought back to trail just 73-71.

The leaders then showed their composure to score five unanswered points to seal the win.

Jacob Holt top scored for Thunder with 15 points, with good support coming from Matt Yates and Tony Sarrio with 12 apiece, while Richard Higgins notched 10.

Northants Thunder 73 Coventry Tornadoes 59

AFTER several recent narrow losses, Thunder were relieved to pick up a Junior Men’s Midlands Conference win against a determined Coventry.

Thunder led 21-17 after the first quarter, and by half-time they had strethed their advantage to 41-30.

The final two quarters were evenly balanced, and Thunder eased to victory.

Thunder’s leading scorer was David Nieva with 25 points, with good support coming from Jake Nailer, Ayo Oluyede and Ed Taylan.

Leicester Riders 61 Northants Thunder 72

THUNDER followed up their recent National Cup win over Leicester with a more comfortable Under 16 Boys Midlands Conference win over the same opposition.

Indeed, the final score makes the contest look tighter than it was, as Thunder actuaally went into the final period with a commanding 59-38 lead.

Chris Amankonah and Josh Lloyd scored 30 and 27 points respectively, with Ed Wallhead adding good support with 10 points.

This Sunday Thunder take on City of Birmingham in the fourth round of the National Cup.

Northants Thunder 62 Worcester Wolves 52

THUNDER were glad to be back at the Northants Basketball Centre after three successive away games, and they enjoyed a good victory over Worcester Wolves in the Under 14 Boys East Midlands II Conference.

They went into the game without the services of top scorer Jonathan Ntumba and guard Henri Berry, who was unable to play due to injury.

Wolves started well and lef 21-19 after the first quarter, but Thunder then turned on the style to lead 39-27 at half-time.

They went further ahead at 50-28, but Wolves hit back and closed the gap, but Thunder saw the game out.

Ashley Kitchen and Ally Solazzo scored 23 and 17 points respectively, and Patrick Adedeji landed 16.

In the Northants Hoopsterz Central Venue League, the honours were taken by NEBC Titans I, with Lightning’s first and second teams having to settle for second and third respectively.

The Northants Under 14 girls coach, Janis Kosnikovskis was able to give all the girls in his squad an opportunity to play in this tournament, and several of them gave a good account of themselves in the shortened game format.

The big downside was an injury to Dina Kosnikovskis who was poked in the eye while making a lay up in her team’s first game.

The games were played at a fast pace, and Chloe Stevens showed she was able to get free ahead of the ball on the fast break while defensively Sade Chambers was impressive.

Athena Thompson, who is just nine, hustled well and Lucy Needham showed her class with some strong drives to basket.

Final table: 1st - NEBC Titans I; 2nd - Northants Lightning I; 3rd - Northants Lightning II; 4th - NEBC Titans II

The Club also participated in the Under 11 and Under 9 tournaments.

Fixtures

Saturday, November 19

9.30– 11am: Junior Ballers Session; 11.30am: Under 14 Boys versus Shropshire Warriors; 1.30pm: Junior Men versus West Bromwich Albion; 3.30pm: Senior Men versus Southwark Pride

These games will be played at the Basketball Centre which is situated at Northampton School for Girls on Spinney Hill Road, Northampton

10am – 1pm: Boys Central Venue League at Northampton School for Boys

Sunday, Novemeber 20

11.30am: Cadet Boys versus City Of Birmingham (National Cup Round 4 - at the Basketball Centre)

Graham Cottle admits being the top UCL team in the town is a motivation for his ON Chenecks players.

With newly-promoted Chens sitting comfortably in mid-table in the UCL Premier Division, they now have Sileby Rangers in their sights.

Sileby are currently one place and three points above Cottle’s side, who, having played two games more, are 12th with six wins from their 17 league matches to date.

Cogenhoe United have some catching up to do, as they are 17th, seven points behind Chens, having played two matches more.

And Cottle said: “Every area has this little league.

“Everyone wants to be the top team in the town and it’s a mini-battle going on between us, Sileby and Cogenhoe.

“You always want to pip your rivals in the league. There’s not much to play for if you’re not in the cups so that is a motivation for us.”

Chenecks have adapted well to life at a higher level, having finished second to Peterborough Sports in division one last season.

And Cottle said: “Coming into the league, we weren’t sure what to expect, but we’ve found our feet a little bit.

“One or two sides are excellent, like Deeping and Sports, and they are at the level we want to get to.

“There are only a few games we haven’t competed in and we’re not doing too badly.

“The main difference is that you just don’t have any easy games.

“In division one, there were three or four guaranteed wins but we don’t have that this season.”

Chenecks cruised to a 3-0 win against Oadby Town at Billing Road last weekend.

And Cottle only expects his side to get stronger in the coming weeks, with Chens facing four more home games in succession and preparing to welcome a plethora of key men back.

“We’ve got four home games on the bounce coming up and hopefully that can be an advantage,” Cottle said.

“We want to keep moving up the league and we’re getting players back now.

“At one point we had about eight players out, which made it tough.

“We’ve been missing the likes of Ben Lewington and George Clarke of late, but they should be back next week, which will be a big boost.”

Trev Sampson hit a hat-trick as Spinney Hill moved into the third round of the NTFA Chronicle & Echo Cup with a 5-1 win at Abington Stanley.

Connor Gittens and Rob Wesdale were also on target.

The District beat White Elephant 4-3, with Craig Roberts hitting two goals in the game.

In the NFA Sunday Cup, Deers Leap beat Midshire Electrical 3-0 thanks to goals from Beau Bennett, Ashley Eales and Courtney Herbert.

Josh Dawson and Chris Culley both doubled up as Sporting Sapphires won 5-1 at Kettering BTT United. Ben Spick also scored for Sporting.

In the first round of the Parker Cup, Billing United were beaten 3-0 by Thorplands Club 81, for whom Karlos Augustine, Luke Kentish and Marc Dowling delivered.

MDS Gallery were big winners against Brafield, earning an 8-3 victory.

Daniel Oates and Jack Davies were both at the double for Gallery.

In the premier division, Dean Lukeman’s hat-trick helped Standens Barn to beat AFC Kislingbury 5-2.

Nathan Burrows and Damon Herbert also scored, with Ryan Brown bagging a double for Kislingbury.

Dynamo won 3-2 against Royals, for whom Jimmy Lovell and Mick Mitchinson scored.

In division one, Josh Healey scored twice for Northampton Hotspur, with Ryan Leah, Luke Archer and Reece Hill also netting in the 5-2 win against AFC Pioneers.

In division two, Ryan Edmonds scored four and Lee Broome three in Hardingstone Sun’s 12-0 win against Thorplands Club 81 Reserves.

Ben Arundell, Dane Salmon, Daniel Tapp and Denham Salmon also scored.

Luke Berkshire and Danny McAtern both bagged doubles but Eastern Eagles were beaten 5-4 by Royals Reserves.

Travis Perkins beat Naseby FC 6-4, with Ben Litchwood, Jon Bailham, James Moody and an own goal making up the Naseby tally.

Houghton Magna are into the semi-finals of the NFA Sunday Cup after an excellent 4-1 win over Bretton North End.

Sam Dengel led the way with a double, and there was one apiece for Raphael Brown and Matty Reeve.

In the national FA Sunday Cup, Harpole’s run came to an end as they lost 3-2 at home to OJM FC, despite the visitors playing much of the game with only 10 men. On target for Harpole were Gokhan Ulker and Tommy Waldock.

In the NTFA Chronicle & Echo Cup, Dallington Falcons enjoyed a 5-3 win over Combination outfit Squizzas FC thanks to two goals from Alexis Mbayo and other strikes by Aaron Higgs, Rhys Redding and Tyrone Dean.

At Kingsthorpe Mill, Jameeah FC played host to Spring Park and lost 1-0 thanks to a last-minute goal from Carl White, and in another all-Nene Sunday League tie Northampton Sovereigns beat West Haddon Albion. On target were Adam Jackson, Dean McCaffery, Jon West and Mariusz Suszynski.

Oakley Diamonds and Northampton Sapphires drew 2-2, with Diamonds winning 4-2 on penalties. In the game, Ben Bridle and Sean Calcutt notched for Sapphires, with Marc Hall and Dan Bailey levelling it up.

White Elephant lost 4-3 to The District despite goals from Ashley Meeks (2) and Robert Faulkner, while Abington Stanley lost 5-1 to Spinney Hill (Tomasz Swiergul).

In the NFA Sunday Shield there was an all-Nene Sunday League affair, and Mill Park beat JA Global 4-2 thanks to goals from Reiss Mothersille, Anthony Paxman, James Sterling and Ashley Pancoust.

Replying for Global were Lawrence Bulliman with a penalty and Luke Chalmers.

In the Premier League, Queens Park maintained their 100 per cent record with a 3-0 win at AC Squirrels.

Lee McConnell gave the visitors a first half lead with a penalty and they scored twice more after the break with goals from Mark Faulkner and Fabian Brown.

Norteles remain in second place after a 3-3 draw at Welland Valley Panthers.

Josh Barby, Simon Barby and Alex Forward all scored for the Panthers, with Callum Norfolk, Sebastian Thompson and Jack Burns hitting back for Norteles.

In the basement battle it was Juventus Tigers who claimed their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over AFC Brampton.

Vadim Smundeak gave the home side a first half lead and he then added another before Brampton pulled one back through Steve Gale.

However, Smundeak struck again to complete a hat-trick and to seal the win.

AFC Trinity continue to set the pace in the Championship with another win.

On this occasion they claimed a 3-1 victory over Wootton Field Wanderers thanks to a double from Kenneth Hawker and another goal from Steven Warner.

Ryan Moloney was the scorer for the Wootton side.

Abington FC returned to winning ways following successive defeats after a 7-4 home win over Grendon Sapphires.

Top scorer Calvin Budd led the way for Abington with four goals and he was joined by strikes from Thulane Khoza, Sam Lapite and Lewis Anderson for the home side.

Thomas Waplington, Lucian Stefuriac and two from Shaun Melville were the Sapphires scorers.

Halse United have made it back-to-back away wins following a 2-1 victory at AFC Obelisk.

Ollie Read and Josh Menday both found the back of the net for Halse, while Kevin Slinn was on target for AFC Obelisk.

After a bad start to the season, Gardeners Arms are now on a six-match unbeaten league and cup run, and their latest match saw them take a 5-0 win over Bat & Wickets.

Goalless at the break, the Arms took control with a hat-trick from Daniel Stewart and single strikes from Ash Stewart and Ryan Merrey.

Parklands Phoenix returned from Spartak FC with maximum points following a 2-1 victory.

Dan Scott gave Phoenix the lead with a header from a corner and then Alex Godbolt followed up a shot from Sam Abarak that hit the post to make it 2-0.

Sam Leighton pulled a goal back for Spartak, but it was not enough.

In League One, Hartwell Forest stay four points clear at the top after a comfortable 7-1 home win over Pitsford Rangers.

Marc Thorp hit another hat-trick for the Hartwell side with Karl Hoy, Joe Sames, Ben Carter and an own goal the other scorers. Liam Waddy netted for Pitsford.

Albany Athletic remain in second spot after a 3-0 win against Ashby Athletic.

Alex Hall gave Albany a first half lead with a close range finish and in the second half Benjamin Eldred and Ryan Hillery added to the scoreline to give Albany a clear victory.

Sixfields Rangers travelled to the Racecourse and returned with a 2-0 win over Swan & Helmet.

Murray White gave the Sixfields team an early lead with a goal from six yards out and the visitors doubled their advantage soon afterwards with a 25-yard drive from Jamie Allen.

Also at the Racecourse, Bat & Wickets Reserves took the lead against Spartak Reserves through Aaron Linnell, however Spartak fought back to win 4-1 with strikes from Dan Lynch, Aaron Crampton, Liam Harris and Toby Brand.

There was only one match played in League Two, and that saw Nomads of Barratts make it five wins on the bounce with a 7-2 victory against Sixfields Rangers Reserves.

Tom Bluck, Tim Clack and Andy Munday all hit doubles for the home side with Lewis Savage completing the scoring for the Nomads.

Leo Pinto and Billy Torpey were on the mark for the Sixfields team.

The story of one of the most notorious fictional killers ever told will be performed by a bunch of amateurs this week.

The Geddington Amateur Dramatics Society will presebnt Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

The show tells the infamous story of Benjamin Barker, aka Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.

It is one of the most popular horror stories of all time, gaining its first recognition as a 1930s melodrama with Tod Slaughter playing the title role. Towards the end of the 1970s the story was turned into a musical and it was this version which was turned into a feature film directed by Tim Burton and starred Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.

Doors and the bar, in case you need to calm your nerves, will open at 7pm with performances starting at 7.30pm from Wednesday to Saturday November 23-26.

Tickets for the show are £7 for adults and £6 for concessions. To book tickets call the box office on 01536 742 527.

Jamie Walker has been selected to play for England in the Bowls World Championships in New Zealand at the end of November.

The Northampton West End bowler has won two national titles in 2016, claiming the Men’s Under 25 Singles and being part of the successful Mixed Fours team.

The tournament will be held over two weeks from November 29 to December 11, and sees the best international bowlers battling it out across Burnside, Fendalton, Canterbury Centre and Bowls Papanui greens in pursuit of victory.

The championship sees the top 34 qualified countries compete across four disciplines - singles, pairs, triples and fours, with Walker playing in the singles and triples.

Walker is joined in the England team by another Northants player in Desborough’s Rebecca Wigfield, who will play in the triples and fours.

The England teams are as follows, showing the disciplines of each member:

Women

Singles: Sophie Tolchard (Devon)

Pairs: Sophie Tolchard & Ellen Falkner (Cambridgeshire)

Triples: Jamie-Lea Winch (Leicestershire), Rebecca Wigfield (Northamptonshire) & Wendy King (Kent)

Fours: Jamie-Lea Winch, Rebecca Wigfield, Wendy King & Ellen Falkner

Men

Singles: Jamie Walker (Northamptonshire)

Pairs: Louis Ridout (Devon) & Sam Tolchard (Devon)

Triples: Jamie Walker, Andy Knapper (Berkshire) & Robert Paxton (Devon)

Fours: Louis Ridout, Andy Knapper, Robert Paxton & Sam Tolchard

Northants Women name team to face Leicestershire

THE following players have been selected to represent Northants Women in a Midland Counties match against Leicestershire on Sunday (Nov 20, 12.30pm) at Desborough IBC.

Rink 1: Pat Starsmore, Kettering Lodge BC/Chris Cooper, Wellingborough BC/Yvonne McKee, Kingsthorpe BC/Joan Watts, Daventry IBC

Rink 2: Lynn Upton, Brackley & District BC/Debbie Watkins, Kingsthorpe BC/Jeannie Flippance, Desborough IBC/Audrey Height, Kettering Lodge BC

Rink 3: Joyce George, Wellingborough BC/Elaine Urquhart, Brackley & District BC/Alison Dring, Wellingborough BC/Tina Broderick, Wellingborough BC

Rink 4: Julie Spreadbury, Daventry IBC/Vicki Rushall, Daventry IBC/Di Brumwell,Kingsthorpe BC/Brenda Bishop, Kingsthorpe BC

Rink 5: Marlene Armitage, Wellingborough BC/Phyll Parry, Wellingborough BC/Joan Sidebottom, Northampton & District IBC/Sharon Tansley, Kingsthorpe BC

Rink 6: Celia Morris, Kingsthorpe BC/Linda Warren, Northampton & District IBC/Wilma Walker, Desborough IBC/Hilary Sharpe, Kingsthorpe BC

Reserves: Rita Smith-Nolan, Rushden Town BC/Glenys Emery, Kingsthorpe BC/Dorothy Diver, Desborough IBC/Denise Carlin, Desborough IBC

Express earn team of the year accolade

THE Northampton Express BC fours team were named the Community Team of the Year at the Northamptonshire Sports Awards at Sywell Airport last week.

The Express quartet were nominated after they won the national fours title, and they claimed the award.

The team of Rob White, Ian Bland, Wayne Stanley and Dominic Graham were on hand to receive their gong.

Men prove too strong in the rout at Rushden

NORTHANTS Men were too strong for Cambridgeshire in their friendly clash at Rushden Town IBC as they won 140-96.

The County only suffered one losing rink, and the highest scoring was a triple skipped by Richard Somerton, which won by 12 shots, but not far behind were the two skipped by Geoff Harris and Terry James, which had 11 shots and nine shots wins respectively.

Details as follows, Cambs skips only:

Rink 1: Alan Diver, John Chester, Roy Cave & Terry James 27 shots – R Smith 18 shots

Rink 2: Trevor Tilley, Peter Kitchener, Brian Langton & Brian Diver 19 shots – V Rule 13 shots

Rink 3: Stuart Lowe, Keith Pick, Colin Barnes & Geoff Hunt 18 shots – J Charlton 19 shots

Rink 4: Don Scott, Eddie Short & Richard Somerton 24 shots – P Hayes 12 shots

Rink 5: Malcolm White, John Streather & Malc Mattinson 24 shots – P Horley 17 shots

Rink 6: John Nolan, Roland Smith, Andy Hogg & Geoff Harris 28 shots – J Witfield 17 shots

Cinato suffers defeat in the Scottish Open

KINGSTHORPE indoor section bowler Connor Cinato lost his second round match in the Scottish International Open in Perth in Scotland.

Cinatio, who enjoyed an excellent first-round win over former world champion Jason Greenslade of Wales, was beaten by Devon’s Robert Paxton.

The event is played in two sets of nine ends, followed, if necessary, by a three-end tie break set.

Cinato played well, but lost the first set 11-5 and the second 9-3 to go down 2-0.

Team named as bid to retain trophy begins

THE following players have been selected to represent Northants in the National Men’s Over 60 Inter County competition.

The County continue their quest to retain the trophy won last year when they play Leicestershire next Tuesday (Nov 22, 12.30pm) with three rinks playing at Wellingborough BC and three playing at Leicester IBC.

At Wellingborough: Rink 1: Dennis Collins, Wellingborough BC/Colin Barnes, Northampton & District IBC/Walt Winsor, Wellingborough BC/Mick Sharpe, Kingsthorpe BC

Rink 2: Tony Dicks, Daventry IBC/Alan Dunkley, Brackley & District BC/Maurice Allen, Wellingborough BC/Mick Cooper, Wellingborough BC

Rink 3: Jim Diver, Desborough IBC/Mick Richardson, Kingsthorpe BC/Bob Fuller, Wellingborough BC/John Haines, Desborough IBC

At Leicester: Rink 4: Will Clelland, Desborough IBC/Pete Morris, Kingsthorpe BC/Mick Worthington, Daventry IBC/Roger Tansley, Kingsthorpe BC

Rink 5: Roger Summers, Northampton & District IBC/Colin Jones, Kingsthorpe BC/Paul O’Beirne, Jim McKee, Kingsthorpe BC

Rink 6: Dougie Cooper, Desborough IBC/John Leggett, Northampton & District IBC/Norman Gibb, Desborough IBC/Tony Weston, Northampton & District IBC

Chloe, Joan and Linda move into next round

IN the National Triples, Chloe Weston, Joan Sidebottom and Linda Warren of Northampton & District IBC progressed into the second round with a 16-14 win over Desborough’s Abby Woodward, Jeannie Flippance and Rebecca Wigfield.

In the National Mixed Pairs, there were second round wins for Kingsthorpe’s Debbie Watkins and David Walker, who beat club-mates Marilyn Oram & Jason Bryan 21-20, and Kingsthorpe’s Hilary Sharpe and Andrew Manton. They too beat another Kingsthorpe pair in Maggie Edwards and Darren Lewis 23-10.

In the National Fours, there was a 16-11 win for the Northampton & District team of Linda Warren, Billie Swift, Chris Bland and Dominic Graham against Kingsthorpe’s Katie Smith, Dena Bryan, Neil McKee and Jamie Walker. In the Egham Trophy, Kingsthorpe beat Northampton & District IBC 72-55.

Details as follows, skips only, Kingsthorpe names first:

At Kingsthorpe: Rink 1: Mick Sharpe 22 – Kieran Rollings 8

Rink 2: Andrew Manton 9 – John Leggett 17

At Northampton: Rink 3: Connor Cinato 16 – Andy Smith 17

Rink 4: Vernon Gearey 25 – Chris Bland 13

In the men’s National Triples, Andy Smith, Richard Lemon and Chris Bland of Northampton & District IBC beat Kingsthorpe’s Jason Bryan, Jim McKee and Vernon Gearey 19-4, while in the Over-50s Triples, Mick Sharpe’s Kingsthorpe triple beat Tony Dicks’ Daventry triple 17-14.

Northampton side are too good for Kettering

In the National Over-60 Club Double Rinks competition, Northampton & District IBC A beat Kettering Lodge BC 46-17 shots

Details as follows, Northampton names first:

At Northampton: Rink 1: Tony Ellis, Bob Reynolds, Reg Jones & John Leggett 30 – Dave W Smith, Barry Grant, Brian Briggs & Brian Barnicoat 8

At Kettering: Rink 2: Roger Summers, Colin Barnes, Dave Fage & Tony Weston 16 – Tom Forward, John Rigby, John Beal & Pete Morgan 9

Desborough IBC beat Northampton & District IBC B 39-23.

Details as follows, Desborough names first:

At Desborough: Rink 1: Will Clelland, Alex McKim, Norman Gibb & George Warren 23 – C Hopkins, Peter Gilkes, Dave Williamson & Terry Brown 5

At Northampton: Rink 2: Jim Diver, Martin Underwood, Pete Mellor & John Haines 16 – T Martin, Alan Ward, Mick Hall & Rod Rigby 18

Kingsthorpe BC A beat Wellingborough BC A 36-29.

Details as follows, Kingsthorpe names first:

At Kingsthorpe: Rink 1: Pete Maloy, Pete Morris, Roger Tansley & Mick Sharpe 23 – Les Johnson, Barry Melville, John Towell & David Bailey 10

At Wellingborough: Rink 2: Mick Richardson, Paul O’Beirne, Colin Jones & Jim McKee 12 – Terry Martin, Pete McDowell, Peter Boulden & Tony Asher 19

Squad is selected for Kingsthorpe friendly

THE following players have been selected to represent Northants IBA in a friendly against the Northamptonshire Retired Police BA on November 23 at Kingsthorpe BC (2pm).

Rink 1: Dougie Ainsworth, Desborough IBC/Jim Brumwell, Kingsthorpe BC/Roy Cave, Rushden Town BC/Richard Somerton, Brackley & District BC

Rink 2: Roger Miller, Desborough IBC/Peter Kitchener, Rushden Town BC/Allan Watts, Daventry IBC/Geoff Hunt, Wellingborough BC

Rink 3: Alan Diver, Desborough IBC/Tony Warren, Northampton & District IBC/Brian Langton, Rushden Town BC/Norman Gibb, Desborough IBC

Rink 4: Don Scott, Brackley & District BC/Dave Garland, Kingsthorpe BC/John Streather, Rushden Town BC/Tony Weston, Northampton & District IBC

Rink 5: Peter Byworth, Wellingborough BC/Bob Sullivan, Desborough IBC/Bob Tingle, Desborough IBC/Terry James, Rushden Town BC

Rink 6: Will Clelland, Desborough IBC/Eddie Chapman, Wellingborough BC/Robin Frost, Northampton & District IBC/Brian Sherwood, Rushden Town BC

Reserves: John Carson, Desborough IBC/Dave Williamson, Northampton & District IBC/Eddie Short, Desborough IBC/Roland Smith, Desborough IBC

Far Cotton ABC welterweight Carl Fail looks to boost his Olympic hopes when he fights for England at next month’s Great Britain championship.

The 19-year-old southpaw meets Connor Loftus in Sheffield on Thursday, December 8.

Fail describes the fight as “a big opportunity” as he looks to prove he’s No 1 in Britain at 69kg.

Birtley Boys southpaw Cyrus Pattinson is currently No 1, ahead of Loftus and Fail.

Fail is highly ranked after winning the Elite championship in May – and has spelled out the importance of the clash with Loftus at the English Institute of Sport.

Loftus won the Elite title last year and Fail said: “Winning this fight will put me in good stead for the big tournaments that are coming up.

“The Great Britain coaches are looking to find fighters for world and European championships and the next Olympics.

“Even though I won the Elites, I think people still underestimate me and this is a chance to show what I can do.

“This is a big opportunity for me.”

Fail, sponsored by Crystal Electronics, knows what he’s up against in Sheffield.

“We’ve sparred lots of rounds,” he said, “and it’s always competitive.

“Connor is a compact, strong, come-forward fighter, but at welterweight, they all are.

“There aren’t many welterweights my size out there.

“I’m tall for the weight. I have all the advantages. I have to go out there and box to my strengths.”

Twin brother Ben has also been in Sheffield, sparring highly-rated Scot John Docherty, a silver medallist at last year’s European Youth championships.

Carl said: “They had a really good spar.

“I think the coaches were impressed with Ben. He’s just as good as me and I hope he gets his chance with England.”

Fail will be hard to ignore if he wins the NABC championships.

He meets Levi Chandler (Bell Green) in the Midlands final in Coventry on Sunday when club-mates Connor Downs and Arron Fail also box.

Four Women’s Boxing Northampton fought at Birmingham Irish Centre last Sunday.

Northampton’s Laura Watkins was a comfortable winner, via TKO, while Hannah Gausden also emerged victorious, but Alina Lawrenson was beaten.

Sarah Coleman also lost as she was defeated on points.

A man had money stolen from him during a knifepoint robbery that took place in Sharman Road, St James.

At around 8pm on Tuesday, 15 November, the victim was walking home from the bookmakers when he was approached by a white man on a bicycle who demanded money. When the victim refused, the offender threatened him with a knife, holding it against his throat, then reached into the victim’s trouser pocket and removed cash.

The robber rode off on the bike when he was disturbed by a member of the public.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Download our app by clicking here to download from Google Play or clicking here to download from Apple’s App Store.