Hundreds of residents in Hardingstone and West Hunsbury whose council tax bills rocketed this year will now have them reduced.

Boundary changes meant certain green spaces moved under the control of the two parish councils, which they have to pay to maintain.

The so-called ‘special expenses’ section of the council tax bill saw West Hunsbury charged £86,841 instead of £6,624, and Hardingstone £9,325 instead of £1,217.

But Northampton Borough Council agreed to review the bills, and a report heard at full council this week was moved, to return them to their original amounts.

This means people living in a Band D property in Hardingstone will get a £12.31 rebate, while people in West Hunsbury will get a £55.41 cut.

In the debate at the meeting, Councillor Phil Larratt (Con, East Hunsbury) said: “I think it is unfair to the residents of Northampton and I think a review will resolve this once and for all. I hope moving forward, we can resolve this issue.

“Hardingstone Parish Council reduced its budget but its’ council tax went up because of this anomaly.”

Councillor Sally Beardsworth (Lib, Kingsthorpe) said: “It is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. People should have been informed up front.”

Gillian Greaves, Hardingstone Parish Council chair, said: “They re-drew the boundaries and left the parish council with a bill of about £8,500. We are now back to where we were last year.

“Feelings ran very high on this.”

The report recommended that: “Council approve a reduction in the special expenses, through a temporary re-designation of some of the park and open space areas, to be funded through a contribution from reserves.

“These changes resulted in some of the local parks now being in one of the new parishes; previously these were in an unparished area and in two local parks now being within the boundary of one of the previously existing parishes.”

Chris Plummer wants the Corby Town supporters to roar their team to Blue Square Bet North safety on Saturday, writes JON DUNHAM.

The battle for survival has come down to the last 90 minutes of the season with the Steelmen heading into their final game with Gainsborough Trinity at Steel Park in the final relegation place as just one goal separates them from Histon, who sit just above the dreaded drop zone.

The Stutes travel to Bradford Park Avenue for their final game, and it will be a case of calculators at the ready with any number of outcomes still possible as the final relegation spot could even be decided by goals scored as well as goal difference and points.

But Corby manager Plummer insists the main job for his team is to beat Gainsborough and hope it is enough.

The Steelmen have made the game free entry for fans with donations being welcomed that will be given directly to Lakelands Hospice.

And Plummer is hoping a packed house and a positive atmosphere will make the difference as Corby look to save their skin.

“It is a fantastic gesture by the club to allow supporters in for free,” he said.

“The more people we can get in, the better it will be for us. We need the supporters to make it as hostile as possible for Gainsborough and to get behind our lads from the off.

“We have a job to do and the fans can play a huge part in it.

“There are various possible outcomes but ultimately either us or Histon are going to be devastated.

“First and foremost, our focus is on trying to win the game. It will be tough because Gainsborough have been in the upper reaches all season, they are a decent side.

“But I have all the belief in the world in our players.

“They are a young bunch and they will be ready for it. I know they are capable of winning.”

And the Steelmen are set for a further boost with the news that top scorer Josh Moreman is likely to be fit for the clash, having suffered a hamstring injury in the NFA Hillier Senior Cup success over Daventry Town.

He missed last weekend’s 1-0 win at Gloucester City but Plummer said: “It is a strange one because we didn’t think he would be ready.

“But he took part in full training on Monday and he looked sharp. It is looking like he will be available.

“People forget Josh is only 21 and this season has been a learning curve.

“He has had some great highs and some low points. But he can score goals and, in this sort of game, he could make a big difference.”

BRACKLEY TOWN

Jon Brady says Brackley will need two great showings if they are to make it to the Blue Square Bet North play-off final.

The Saints have secured third place in the standings ahead of their final-day trip to Boston United on Saturday.

It means they will take on either Altrincham, who are in the driving seat to claim fourth spot, or FC Halifax Town, in the play-off semi-finals.

The first leg will be away on Tuesday (April 30), with the return game four days later at St James’ Park.

And Brady has called on his side to produce two massive performances as they bid to book their place in the May 12 showpiece.

“The players have earned the right to get here,” said the Saints boss. “Now it’s all about who performs best on each day.

“We’ve got to have two great games if we want to get to the final.”

But Brady has called into question the logic of making the side that finishes higher in the league travel away on a Tuesday night for the first leg.

With players at step two often part-time, they must take leave from work in order to play in an away midweek clash and Brady feels that’s wrong.

“It’s a bit of a funny one,” he said. “You earn the right to come third and you should get to choose which leg you play away.

“All the lads have to take a day off work and travel up the motorway on a Tuesday night.

“For them to travel to us on a Tuesday would be difficult and I think the Conference should review how it’s done.”

But Brackle may fancy their chances in the away leg of next week’s semis as they won 4-1 at Altrincham on the opening day of the season.

If it is to be Halifax, the Saints can go there in the knowledge they drew 0-0 at the Shay just last month.

And Brady, who went to watch Altrincham’s 2-0 home win against Halifax on Tuesday night, said: “We’ll take confidence from our performances against those sides.

“We know that on our day we can be better than them, but first and foremost we must focus on the game at Boston on Saturday.”

Brady will have the luxury of not needing to get a result at Boston, but he remains eager to get a positive result ahead of Tuesday night’s huge showdown.

“We’ll definitely play a team to win,” said Brady. “We want to keep our momentum, then we’ll see where we are. Hopefully we won’t get any injuries.”

KETTERING TOWN

Chairman Ritchie Jeune is hopeful Kettering Town will be able to resolve the latest blow to the club’s future after it was served with a winding up order by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

A statement on the club’s website confirmed Jeune was only contacted about the order by owner Imraan Ladak on Wednesday to notify him of the order, which was first presented on March 18.

The club have until 4pm today (Friday) to “give notice of its intention to oppose the petition” with the hearing due to take place in London on Monday.

Jeune confirmed the club will have a representative in the capital for the hearing and that an adjournment will be sought and, should that be the case, that all money owed “will be paid”.

And he also insisted the lateness of the notification was due to the club’s address not being changed.

The Poppies are currently based at Steel Park in Corby while the documentation about the winding up order was sent to Rockingham Road.

Jeune and his band of volunteers have been keeping the club alive since it almost went under in October and he is hoping to secure a takeover from Ladak this summer while also getting the club out of its long-term lease at Nene Park.

His plan for the future involves a move back into the borough at Burton Latimer while, on the pitch, Thomas Baillie’s relegated side head to Chesham United for their final Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division game on Saturday.

The club statement said: “Yesterday Ritchie Jeune was contacted by the club owner (Ladak), who indicated that Kettering Town F C Management Limited is facing a winding up order, issued by HM Revenue and Customs.

“This order was presented on March 18, 2013 and advertised in the London Gazette on April 17. The hearing is in London next Monday, April 29.

“For the last 24 hours the volunteers, who are trying to keep the club going, have been trying to investigate the extent of the winding up order, which, it seems, relates to monies due, assessed by HMRC, from the date of the CVA in June 2012.

“The Limited Company has until 4pm on Friday (tomorrow) to give notice of its intention to oppose the petition and before that can be done more information and the cooperation of the club owner will be urgently sought.”

When contacted, Jeune added: “All the documentation was sent to Rockingham Road, it is not as if Imraan has kept this from us.

“He only found out about it yesterday like we did. As volunteers, we have no power to change any addresses or anything like that.

“The order has been served and we have spoken with HMRC and also sent all the relevant documentation since we have been at Steel Park. We have explained the situation.

“The problem we have is with the time we have to deal with this but that is the club’s fault for not changing its address.

“As long as we have someone at the hearing on Monday, we are hopeful there will be an adjournment and then we will be able to provide HMRC with the information they need and will be able to pay the amount that is owed.”

DAVENTRY TOWN

Darran Foster wants his Daventry Town players to go out and enjoy their final-day game against Guildford City on Saturday.

Town travel to Surrey for the last game of their Southern League season, having narrowly missed out on a play-off place.

Foster’s side have claimed an impressive 76 points from their 41 league games, but will not make it into the top five due to the fine records of the current incumbents.

And with the pressure off, the manager wants his players to make the most of their final match of the season.

“We’re going to go and enjoy it,” said Foster. “We know it will be a hard game, but we just want to make it an enjoyable trip and an enjoyable last day of the season.

“We’ve done tremendously well and we’ve been on a really good run. The lads have never given up. They’ve stuck at it.”

WOODFORD UNITED

Woodford United have their final chance to claim their first point of a miserable season on Saturday - but they will have to do it at promotion-chasing Godalming.

The Reds have now lost all 41 Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central games they have played this season, after they were beaten 4-0 at second-from-bottom Leighton Town on Tuesday night.

Jon Inwood’s side were actually level at 0-0 until the 52nd minute, but once Leighton had gone ahead, the wheels came off.

That has been a familiar story for Woodford this season, who were also on the wrong end of a 5-0 defeat at Thatcham last Saturday.

Woodford will be hoping they can sign their season off with at least a point at Byfield Road, but Goldalming will be a tough nut to crack.

One possible chink of light for for Woodford is that Godalming are guaranteed third place, and could rest players ahead of their play-off semi-final next week. Kick-off is 3pm.

Saints legend Paul Grayson is reportedly on the shortlist to become Worcester Warriors’ new attack coach.
The former fly-half, who left Northampton in November after 19 years at the club as player and coach, Jim McKay and John Fletcher are the men being targeted, according to the Worcester News.

Grayson is a man new Warriors boss Dean Ryan knows well as the pair played together for England and spent time coaching the national under-21 team.
And it now appears Grayson could be set to link up once again with Ryan, who recently moved into the Sixways hot-seat following the departure of Richard Hill.
Grayson left Saints at the back end of last year as Jim Mallinder sought to freshen up his coaching staff.
And the director of rugby has since acquired the services of Clermont Auvergne attack coach Alex King.
But Grayson could now return to Franklin’s Gardens next season, as part of the Worcester setup.

Sileby Rangers boss Glenn Botterill has told his players no one remembers the runners-up as they go in pursuit of title glory.
Sileby are top of UCL Division One, two points clear of AFC Rushden & Diamonds with three games to go.
With two teams set to win promotion, Botterill’s men, five points ahead of third-placed Eynesbury Rovers, look destined to go up, but the manager doesn’t want to settle for second place.
“If we get turned over, nine months’ work will go out the window, and we don’t want that,” said the Sileby supremo, who takes his side to Burton Park Wanderers on Saturday.
“Two wins from our final three games will get us promoted, but I want to win it.
“No one remembers the runners-up, they remember the winners.”

RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS

Mark Starmer admitted he went through every emotion possible as AFC Rushden & Diamonds were denied the chance to all-but seal promotion from Division One on Tuesday night.

Having trailed 1-0 to third-placed Eynesbury Rovers for a lengthy spell in front of nearly 800 fans at the Dog & Duck, Starmer’s men looked set for a defining win when Lance Allen levelled and Sam Brown fired the hosts in front in the first minute of stoppage-time.

But Rovers were awarded a penalty two minutes later and secured a 2-2 draw to ensure they remain three points behind Diamonds with both teams having three to play.

It does mean the situation is crystal clear for Starmer and his men, however.

Seven points from those remaining matches will secure top flight football next season after a fine first campaign as a senior side.

The first of those is at Potton United on Saturday and Starmer is backing his players to bounce back from their late disappointment.

“We didn’t play particularly well on Tuesday and when we missed a penalty, it looked like being a bad night,” he said.

“But to then come back and lead and then concede a penalty was incredible.

“But I still feel cheated. I know it is a strong word but I didn’t think it was a penalty and we still aren’t getting the rub of the green and the decisions from referees.

“The lads were gutted at the end and it is now up to me to pick them up and have them ready for the last three games.

“We need two wins and a draw from these matches and I know our boys can do it.

“It still won’t be easy but we are capable of finishing the job off. It is a tricky game on Saturday and it has a banana skin feel about it. But I know the lads will bounce back.”

Eynesbury will look to keep the pressure on Diamonds when they travel to Harrowby United tomorrow.

LONG BUCKBY

Scott Goodwin says last weekend’s win against Peterborough Northern Star was massive for Long Buckby – but has warned his players not to celebrate yet.

Melanius Mullarkey’s goal ensured the Bucks claimed a 1-0 success at Station Road, ending a run of 14 UCL Premier Division games without a win.

But with sides below still having games in hand, Goodwin has warned his men they must not switch off in their final-day clash with Blackstones at Station Road on Saturday.

“I don’t want to sound like a party pooper but although the win was massive for us, it’s far from over yet,” said Goodwin.

“Will there be another twist in the tale? Probably.”

ON CHENECKS

Chenecks boss Graham Cottle believes he will have a very good side at his disposal next season if he can get three or four new players in the summer.

Chenecks thrashed Rothwell Corinthians 4-1 on Tuesday night thanks to goals from Elliott Muddiman, Ben Diamond, Scott Barczewski and Tom Gee.

It was their first home win since November, as a good performance finally turned into three points.

And Cottle feels a good summer of recruitment will ensure his side, who currently sit 11th, are competing with the best in UCL Division One next time round.

“We played really well on Tuesday,” said the Billing Road boss. “We looked a real threat and we’ve got some good, young players.

“With three or four new signings we will have a very good side.

“Every man and his dog is fighting for a few players and it’s vital we try to get some in and keep hold of the ones we want.

“There will be players you want to get rid of as well and we’ve already started looking at targets ahead of next season.”

Chenecks have two games remaining this season, with next Thursday’s return clash with Rothwell Corinthians followed by a trip to Buckingham Town seven days later.

FIXTURES

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: AFC Kempston v Spalding, Boston Town v Shepshed Dynamo, Deeping v Cogenhoe, Harborough v Desborough, 
Irchester v Holbeach, Long Buckby v Blackstones, Newport Pagnell v 
Quorn, St Ives v Huntingdon, Wellingborough Town v Stewarts & Lloyds, Yaxley v Sleaford.

Division One: Buckingham v Bugbrooke, Burton Park Wanderers v Sileby, Harrowby v Eynesbury, Spencer v Whitworth, Oadby v Thrapston, Olney v Bourne, Potton v AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Reserve Division One: Bugbrooke v AFC Kempston, Cogenhoe v Whitworth, Desborough v Woodford United, Huntingdon v Blackstones, Stewarts & Lloyds v Harborough.

Reserve Division Two: Eynesbury v Irchester, ON Chenecks v Raunds, Rothwell Corinthians v Burton Park Wanderers.

MONDAY

Division One: Burton Park Wanderers v Bugbrooke.

Reserve Division One: Blackstones v Cogenhoe, Harborough v Peterborough Northern Star.

TUESDAY

Premier Division: Boston Town v Wellingborough Town, Cogenhoe v Spalding, Deeping v Harborough, Irchester v Shepshed Dynamo, Stewarts & Lloyds v Huntingdon, Yaxley v St Ives.

Division One: AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Whitworth, Northampton Spencer v Buckingham, Rushden & Higham v Sileby, Thrapston v Potton.

Reserve Division One: Whitworth v AFC Kempston, Woodford United v Stewarts & Lloyds.

Reserve Division Two: Burton Park Wanderers v Rothwell Corinthians, ON Chenecks v Bourne.

WEDNESDAY

Reserve Division One: Bugbrooke v Huntingdon, Harborough v Desborough.

Reserve Division Two: Rushden & Higham v Irchester.

THURSDAY

Division One: Rothwell Corinthians v ON Chenecks

When the fixture lists for the current campaign were released in June of last year, the Cobblers’ season-concluding game against Barnet was one that was immediately highlighted as certain to generate interest.

Barnet, the perennial strugglers, at Sixfields to face a team in whose modern history they have played a big part and one who - it was hoped - would be challenging for something special.

Both parties have lived up to their end of the deal.

The Bees go into a final-day fixture with their Football League status at stake for a fourth successive season.

And the Cobblers need a win for play-off momentum and to repair the still-open wounds that were inflicted on them in the 4-0 savaging at Underhill in October.

Barnet are almost the team the club’s supporters love to hate, whether when providing the opposition for the first game at Sixfields in 1994 and duly spoiling the party with a late equaliser or crossing swords in their Barry Fry-led early days in the league.

Images of the aforementioned Mr Fry running down the County Ground touchline in red football shorts in the early-1990s remain painfully vivid in the memories of some Town supporters.

Two decades later and Fry’s name above the managerial door has, in a lower-league plot twist that is surreal and effective in equal measure, been replaced by that of Dutch maestro Edgar Davids.

The former Ajax and Juventus midfielder will pair his trademark sunglasses with playing kit on Saturday - Davids is the current manager but is also still a competent player, and trusts nobody more than himself with assignments like destiny-defining matches at Sixfields.

Barnet can get away with a defeat, if AFC Wimbledon fail to better their result against Fleetwood, but they cannot rely on that and the word on the grapevine is they will come to Northampton with an attacking mindset,

So, as well as their supporters providing the kind of partisan atmosphere the Cobblers can expect in the play-offs, their players will also assist with the ‘dress rehearsal’ nature of the afternoon on the field.

The play-offs will be at the back of everybody’s mind at Sixfields on Saturday.

Supporters will be keen to hear of scorelines from elsewhere to find out who the side will be playing next week in a bid to seal a first visit to Wembley since 1998.

The players, too, will be harbouring such thoughts and that is entirely understandable.

But they will also know that against Barnet they can progress their claims for an increased involvement in the crunch games.

Aidy Boothroyd has kept his cards close to his chest in terms of what his selection might be but the strong performances by one or two of the less regular players at Port Vale, combined with the return to fitness of several season campaigners means the manager has a healthy stock from which to select.

Stakes can be claimed, momentum can be increased and form can be hit.

Tipping Barnet into the non-League abyss, in the ultimate act of revenge for the 4-0 defeat at Underhill in October, would be an added bonus.

Blisworth Vixens eased into the final of the Under-12s League Cup with a 5-0 semi-final win over FC Aztec.

Scorers: Tabitha Ward, Abbie Reboul, Leanne Kelly-Wilson, Leonie Kelly-Wilson, Jess Piff

Team: Leonie Kelly-Wilson, Leanne Kelly-Wilson, Tabitha Luntz, Jessica Piff, Abbie Reboul, Tabitha Ward, Sara Cassidy, Sophie Marks, Jade Ward

MOM: Abbie Reboul

Report: It was déjà vu as Blisworth once again took an early lead through Tabitha Ward. This then allowed Blisworth to settle and start passing the ball around. Again, both Blisworth and Aztec’s played some very attractive football in the first half with both teams creating chances. Again, Blisworth took a 4–0 lead into the interval. In the second half credit must go to the Aztec’s team as they played some wonderful football and made the Blisworth keeper work a lot harder and almost scored with a brilliantly taken free kick that the Blisworth keeper could only parry over the bar. As a result of this pressure Blisworth only managed to score the one second half goal. The Blisworth team all played really well as a unit and a result Abbie Reboul was the Blisworth player of the match for having a great first-half performance in midfield and playing really well in goal during the second-half.

UNDER 11

ON CHENECKS

Lost 7-0 to Rothwell Aztecs

Team: Elise Baker, Rose Eccles, Catrin Evans, Chloe Hartwell, Natalie Osbourne,
Macy Wake, Maddy Yoxall, Lucia Norfolk

Report: Aztecs were deserved winners in a match that saw them 7-0 winners with some excellent finishing. As expected despite trailing 6-0 the Chenecks girls showed a great team spirit and bravado putting in a great second half performance that saw them unlucky not to score two or three themselves, I am confident that if the girls can continue to play with the spirit they’ve shown today there’s not going to be many matches they go away with disappointed. Well done both teams it was great to see how you got on after the match.

UNDER 13

COGENHOE & KINGSTHORPE

Beat Welland Valley 5-3

Scorers: Chloe Carpenter 2, Mathilda Fidler 2, Jade Underwood

Team: Ryanna Turnbull-Belfon, Liberty Cook, Chloe Carpenter, Ella Clarke, Mathilda Fidler, Georgia Francis, Megan Redmond, Charly Rogers, Hollie Webster, Kimberly Drage, Jade Underwood, Lauren Avis

MOM: Georgia Francis

Report: Cogenhoe & Kingsthorpe played Welland Valley at Cogenhoe. A good start for Cogenhoe & Kingsthorpe saw them go 1-0 up after 10 minutes and they increased their lead after 20 mins with the scorer Chloe Carpenter. Jade Underwood scored just before half-time and it was 3-1. Welland Valley came back in the second half and at one point pulled it back to 4-3, but Mathilda Fidler scored just before the end of the match to seal a 5-3 win for Cogenhoe & Kingsthorpe. Well done to Georgia Francis for getting MOM.

UNDER 14

PARKLANDS TIGERS

Lost 16-0 to Kettering

Team: Dallas Ferguson, Molly Hughes, Courtney Henry, Olivia Willson, Hannah Linsley, Eve Leonard, Jodie Taylor

Report: With only seven players, it was always going to be hard game against a strong Kettering side. The game was played on a full size pitch, which did not suit the seven players from each side. With the weather being warm and Kettering having a number of subs, Parklands soon found it very hard work. Parklands tried three different goalkeepers, Dallas, Hannah and Olivia, but nothing seemed to stop the flow of goals from Kettering. The girls never stopped trying and everyone gave their all.

UNDER 16

BRACKLEY ATHLETIC

Lost 9-0 to Netherton United

Team: Ophelia Plumb; Melissa Webber; Saraya Phillips; Rachel Tucker; Jennifer Cook; Shauna Cox; Amy Marshall; Stephanie Knight; Charlotte Alderman; Lacey Walton; Beth Hope

Report: An under strength Brackley were soundly beaten by Netherton. Half time score was 5-0 and although Brackley improved in the second half and held the home team at bay with a mixture of good defending and a fair share of luck, they eventually ran out of steam. With no subs, they conceded four further goals towards the end and will need to improve significantly for their last game v Parklands next month.

A sailor in the treacherous Arctic convoys that were vital in winning World War Two will be presented with his medal this morning.

David Whitehead, aged 88, from Brackley, braved temperatures of up to -30C and the constant threat of U-Boats as his ship helped escort supplies to keep Russia in the war in 1944. Previously, the only medals the Arctic Convoy sailors had received were anniversary medals from the Russian government.

Today he will finally receive one of the newly-struck Arctic Convoy medals, issued by the British Government, from Andrea Leadsom MP, who had campaigned for recognition from the veterans’ own country.

Mr Whitehead, who was a radio operator aboard HMS Domett, said: “I never thought I’d see this day.

“I can’t understand why it has taken them so long. The Cold War has always been the official reason, but the medals should have been issued when the Berlin Wall came down.

“I was 18 when I was on the convoy. This has been a long time coming.”

Mr Whitehead was keen to express his gratitude to South Northamptonshire MP Mrs Leadsom, who, with a handful of other MPs, lobbied for medals to be handed out.

He said: “It’s appropriate that she should present it because it is the end of her very successful campaign. She has done a very good job for us who remain.”

James King Blisworth kept alive their title challenge with a 3-1 win over AC Squirrels.

On target were Andy Seaton, Conner Brown and Chris Healey, with Bobby Lane replying.

JK have only one game to play and if they win it they will finish on 47 points. They will then will have to wait for the outcome of Sunnyside Corinthians’ games.

Sunnyside now know they need to win three off their last four games to take the title.

They were 2-1 winners over Dynamo last Sunday, with Perry Wells netting twice for the title chasers and Liam Grisley replying.

Blakesley travelled to the Royals and the two Reeves boys netted one each with Will scoring from the penalty spot and Sam supporting giving the village side a 2-1 win. Jay Blackwell scored for winless Royals.

St Margaret’s and Monks Park WMC drew 3-3. James Alcock (2) and Simon Underwood scored for Maggies, with Elliott Muddiman grabbing all three for the Workies.

Division One

AFC Houghton Magna rack up another stack of goals as they trounce Manfield Rangers 6-0.

Eyasin Hussein scored a hat-trick and there were singles forr Dan Thomason, Paul Dempsey and Luke Bromley.

Leaders Harpole beat MDS Rangers 6-1. Adam Bazeley scored for MDS but the villagers won thanks to strikes from Josh Winters (2), Darren Inns (2), Harry Winters and Liam Butcher.

Fox & Hounds will be satisfied with third place but no doubt will feel they should have done better. They secured a 2-1 win over Thorplands Club 81.

Khaled Miar scored for Club, but Michael O’Dwyer and Kev Westley won it for the Fox.

Division Two

Roade ran riot against St Margaret’s A, winning 7-0 thanks to goals from Steve Carroll (2), Harry Foot (2), Daniel Goode, Ed Sears and Lewis Curtis.

Spartak’s title challenge was dented as they only picked up a point with a draw against Devonshire Club.

Shane Lyons, Max Payne and Joe Handley netted for Devonshire Club, with Rich Elson, Garry Buckseall and a own goal tiring it up at 3-3.

Spartak can now only finish on 53 points and must hope Roade will slip up along the way in their last few games.

JWC Athletic nicked a 3-2 win against Monks Park WMC Reserves with Nathan Marsh, Nathan Garofalo and Adam White on the mark.

Andrew Webb and Dave Newel replied for Park.

AC Squirrels Reserves played host to Outlet Sports who coasted to a 6-0 win thanks to efforts from brothers Justin and Tom Wilds, Stephan Chambers (2) and Sam Lavell (2).

Division Three

Golden Horse needed a late goal to edge past Nene FC 3-2.

Paul Pearson and Stuart Cruickshank scored for Nene, but Horse won it thanks to Gareth Errington, Jake Hogben and Antony Broadbent.

Manfield Rangers Reserves had good day as they beat Crown & Cushi0n Reserves 4-1.

Lee Kew rattled in a hat-trick for Rangers and and Sam Dengel a single, while Grant Murphy netted Cushion’s consolation.

Division Four

Butcher Loco FC are two points clear at the top after smashing Victoria Park Rangers 10-0.

Goals came from Ashley Jarvis (3), James Dean (2), Martin Stones (2), Russell Lay, Ricky Knight and Jonnie Dee.

The Workhouse were held to a 2-2 draw by FC Gallery.

Gallery’s scorers were Jamie Everson and Martin Johnson, with Jamie Campbell and David Arnold squaring things up.

Windmill Warriors lost 2-1 at home to FC Ryan Munich. Sam Irons netted for Windmill, with Alex Duggan and Jack Harper claiming the points for Munich.

Division Five

Hartwell Forest recovered from being 4-1 down at half time to beat FC Locomotiv Moulton Reserves 5-4.

Matt Roberts was the hero as he nit the winner in the final few minutes.

Jimmy Hannam, Lewis Blake and Mark Thorpe (2) scored the other goals, while Simon Moore and Chris Adams scored two apiece for Loco.

South Northants drew 2-2 with the The District.

Dave Wright and Russell Jones netted for South Northants, with Craig Millar and Daniel Rednall replying.

Vesta FC enjoyed another win, this time against Abington Stanley by an impressive 4-0.

Rob Pinney, Lee Marriot (2) and Jason Bromwell notched for Vestta.

Northampton Hotspur recorded their 10th win of the season as they hammered Victoria Park Rangers Reserves 6-2.

Rob Harrison and Damien Keenan scored for Park Rangers, but a hat-trick from Nick Marshall, two from Karl Hoy and one from Steve Deakins secured the points for Hotspur.

CUP FINAL DATES

Venue: Sixfields (all kick-off at 7.30pm)

May 14: Araglen Cup: St Margaret’s A v Staples

May 15: KCS Parker Cup: Golden Horse v FC Gallery

May 16: Ken Parker Cup: AC Squirrels v Harpole,

Please come and your support local teams.

In snooker parlance, Northants are in the balls early and already two frames up, the pots flying in from all angles, looking reborn this year.

Okay, Wantage Road is not the Crucible, but there is definitely a better feel to the place now that David Capel has gone and the players seem to be more of a team.

That’s nothing against Capel and what he has done for the County, but it seems the negativity has been lifted, and you feel the lush green table has been brushed down and the mahogany polished up and we are ready to go for a good season.

The players have the phlegmatic coach they always wanted in David Ripley, and performances have improved because of that concession, the iron rod of Kepler Wessels and the fastidious player management style of Capel a distant memory.

The pre-season jaunt to Barbados also seems to helped.

The invigorating performance and thumping win at a chilly County Ground against Essex for the first home championship game last week reflected that confidence to go out and perform. And the boys are top of the league!

The County Ground also looks more polished.

It has had a corporate upgrade to separate the gentleman from the players, with the old Aspers Casino lounge now looking like the officers mess in a Japanese prisoner of war camp!

The new decking (well this is Northampton) is sure to snare a stiletto or two as the Pimms to go flying, but it was needed.

The new cricket nets are almost ready and even the groundsmen looked smart in their blue tracksuits sitting on the freshly polished tractor.

It just feels right this season to put on a show.

That doesn’t mean we will win anything, but it does mean the entertainers in the team like David Willey will get to put on the top hat and cane in the big matches.

He was simply irrepressible in the win over Essex, and could be the homegrown all-rounder and match winner that Graeme Swann should have been for us.

I’m sure David likes to party too, but you also feel he wants to be leader and looks to himself to win matches.

I love that in a player.

Stephen Peters’ captaincy has also impressed, and he didn’t hesitate to put the opposition in on a greenish County Ground pitch, as he didn’t in Cardiff.

And that first game in Wales mirrored this one as Trent Copeland’s meticulous line and length from one end and Steven Crook’s spiky pace at the other again did the damage.

We have control of the new ball again, and that’s crucial.

The return to form of Graham Napier with a violent 73 did see the ball whacked around at the end, but 183 all out on that decent strip was again above par bowling, with Crook (4-39) looking like he is out to make a point in the four day.

Northants’ reply was certainly entertaining, with the springy pitch and short rope offering plenty of boundaries.

But the parity for the bowlers was there was enough seam and swing in the breeze early on as they reduced us to 171 for eight.

The captain posted another 50, but Napier also the man with the ball with five-for by tea.

So enter Willey, somewhat absurdly batting ninth on the card, and like Napier he was full of shots and on his toes, putting on a record 111 runs against Essex for the ninth wicket.

Crook (88no) continued at the other end with fellow Aussie Copeland, who started out his career as a batsmen in Australia and looked at least a number seven here, hitting some lovely fours as the pair put on 115 for the 10th wicket - another record.

I think it’s fair to say Northants have the best batting line up in the division, with the lower order out performing the top order by a mile.

We know Copeland wasn’t very happy at batting last and proved his point, and for me Murphy should bat last.

Essex were just in the game going into day three at 93 for two with Aussie Quiney (53) looking good, but they didn’t have much fight in them on a chilly third day at Wantage Road.

Like like Napier on the first day, Willey was the man with the ball this time around, firing it in on good lengths and the Northants bowling was always on top.

There were Jack Brooks style celebrations when Willey got the critical wicket of Ravi Bopara for 41, and I thinl Northants simply wanted it more and Essex simply wanted Saturday off.

A total of 207 all out for the innings win, with Willey taking five for 67 suggests Northants’ bowling is nearly as deep as their batting.

For me, Willey is on an unstoppable run to play for England.

He is young and hungry and the lefty option for coach Andrew Flower.

He is also aesthetically what England need to sell replica kits, and his swashbuckling style is exactly what I want to see in a player.

At the moment England fancy fellow southpaws Reece Topley and Tymal Mills with the ball from Essex, but only because they are at a favoured county.They were both very average in this match.

A total of 22 of the 30 players named in the England performance squad of 30 for the summer come from the Test match ground counties, and the other from the big four, regardless of what division they are in.

The England door is firmly slammed shut if you’re not from the rich teams, or move to them.

So can David Willey smash through that glass ceiling?

I think I need to give up this prediction lark! Well, actually I did get one thing right last week - I said it would be a cracking game at the Gardens on Saturday night and it definitely was.

Saints finally produced a well overdue performance to shout about at home.

Northampton totally dominated a very poor Sale team who offered up very little resistance, and after their excellent win against Gloucester a week earlier I at least expected some challenge for the Saints.

There have been some bizarre results over the past few weekends.

Gloucester, who were well beaten by Sale a week earlier, then go and grab a famous win over Sarries who didn’t look like they were about to lose anything, and the only thing you dare predict at the moment isto expect the unexpected.

Actually it goes to show that you cannot afford to turn up just even one per cent off your best, otherwise you will get embarrassed.

It goes to prove that anything can happen heading into the semis, even though the form book might say something else.

Saints were on top in every department against Sale.

Luther Burrell was again very impressive, he and George Pisi could make a very potent attacking weapon and Saints will be hoping to get Pisi back for the Quins game.

GJ Van Velze had his best performance of the season, perhaps the warmer weather and firmer pitches will be much more akin to his South African rugby upbringing.

But the story on Saturday, apart from securing the play offs, was a performance worthy to say farewell to hugely influential players for the Saints in Brian Mujati and Soane Tonga’uhia.

They have been the anchor and rock of the Saints pack for several seasons. As I have said before, replacing them will be almost impossible but they both look determined to sign off their Saints careers in style.

It can’t have been an easy decision for them to leave, particularly for Tonga’uhia, despite the big money offers in France, and it was clearly a very emotional day for two players that will go down in Saints front row folklore.

Much will depend on the development of the likes of Alex Waller to shore up the gap left by two such important players, but for now we ought to focus on the present and reflect on the impact the pair of them have made at the club.

It is great for the squad that the pressure of securing the play-off spot is now off going into the final league game next weekend against Quins.

It does however pose a bit of a problem for me.

To have any realistic chance of upsetting all the odds and making the Premiership final they really do need to break their duck and beat one of the big three sides to give them the confidence heading into the semis.

I really do think they have an outstanding chance to get a result at Quins, who are definitely wobbling at the moment.

The dilemma for me is that if Saints do win they are likely to book a date for a semi final at Tigers, and that is my worry.

After the drubbing at the Gardens a couple of weeks ago, Tigers have the mental upper hand by some margin and out of a trip to Sarries or Tigers I would take the trip to Sarries.

I believe that Saints would have a better chance at Sarries’ new home than they would at Welford Road.

So a win at Quins is a must from a confidence point of view, but it might just throw them straight into the lion’s den up the M1.

Still, if they are going to surprise everyone this season and win this title against the form book and the odds, they will likely have to face Tigers again at some point.

Perhaps a date with destiny to bury a few demons awaits?

Saracens and Clermont to progress to final

It is difficult to see past two home wins in the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup this weekend.

Both Saracens and Clermont are clear favourites heading into the clashes.

It is a fool however who writes off Munster, as they have shown time and time again that they have that precious spirit which can lift them to new heights.

But despite their ability to deliver the improbable, I believe this will be a bridge too far for them.

There is a certain destiny in Clermont’s progression through the tournament this season.

After a number of near misses over the past couple of seasons I expect them to put Munster to the sword in Montpellier, and I think it could end up being a little one-sided.

If you fancy a bet for the overall winner, get it on Clermont now before their price shortens up again after the semi-final

Saracens have the tougher of challenges against Toulon, who have on occasion flattered to deceive but seem to have found a bit more steel to their game this season.

If you look through their squad there is no doubt they should be playing at this level, but having the best players on paper does not always translate into results on the pitch.

They have found that consistency in the last year or so, and with the quality they possess are well capable of causing an upset at Twickenham.

Saracens will not have wanted to head into the game off the back of a league defeat, but perhaps they had one eye on this weekend, a huge prize that has so far eluded them.

I expect that Sarries will win a tight encounter, but do not be surprised if a certain Mr J Wilkinson might have something to say about the outcome.

A former headteacher of Northampton School for Boys (NSB) has announced his resignation from a £300,000 job as director of an academy chain.

Sir Bruce Liddington, who was knighted for his work at NSB, is to leave his post as Director General of E-ACT, which sponsors two schools in Daventry.

E-ACT is the second largest provider of academies, overseeing 31 schools educating 20,000 pupils, but the group was dealt a major blow last week after it emerged it was given an official warning by the Government over financial mismanagement.

It become the first academy sponsor to be issued with a “financial notice to improve” by the Education Funding Agency following a series of “weaknesses” in the way it handled its schools’ accounts.

Academies are funded directly from central Government and have complete freedom to alter the curriculum, staff pay and reshape the school day and academic year.

Accepting Sir Bruce’s resignation, Chair of the Board of Trustees of E-ACT, Dr Ann Limb said: “On behalf of the Board of E-ACT, and speaking for the governors, staff and students in all the schools who have benefitted from his unique energy and expertise, I give thanks to Sir Bruce for his work at E-ACT. I wholeheartedly wish him the very best in his future activities”.

Sir Bruce said he was thrilled with how the academies programme had grown and joked that he “had the word ACADEMY running through his body like a stick of Blackpool rock.”

Sir Bruce, who put forward a proposal to set up a free school in Northmapton two years ago, said: “The academy programme is one that children, parents and families all over the country welcome and celebrate”.

He will leave E-ACT at the end of his formal notice period on October 31 and until then he will be seconded to another post providing advice to the Government on developing academy sponsors.

Old Scouts Under-13s are celebrating after they won the East Midlands Cup.

The Rushmere Road side travelled to Peterborough for the final, and beat their hosts 17-0 to claim the silverware.

In an entertaining game of rugby, played between two highly skilled teams, Scouts were deserved winners in this re-arranged final.

Early domination in the forwards, with particular strong work at the scrum and excellent work at the breakdown, built a platform that enabled the Scouts back line to put Peterborough under huge pressure.

However, despite having the majority of possession in the first half, Scouts were only able to cross once in the first period.

The first part of the second half saw Peterborough create some pressure of their own, but as in attack, Scouts were equal to the task.

Ultimately, Scouts continued with some relentless pressure, enabling the Northampton side to cross for two further tries.

It was impossible to single out individual players in the performance, as it was a real squad effort throughout.

In their four cup games, Scouts scored a total of 205 points and conceded just one try – which is an unbelievable achievement!

in the final, Ollie Sleightholme scored two tries and Dexter Watts one, while Connor Tupai added one conversion.

Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd says the Cobblers have ‘a duty to the Football League’ to go all out for victory in their game against Barnet at Sixfields on Saturday.

Town wrap up their regular season with the Bees’ visit, which will decide their final position in npower League Two and establish who they face in the end-of-season play-offs.

Barnet need to better AFC Wimbledon’s result against Fleetwood to ensure they remain in the Football League, and will name a strong side with the intention of winning the match.

It had been suggested that Boothroyd would rest some of his squad to ensure they do not pick up any injuries for the play-off matches but he has confirmed Kelvin Langmead and Clive Platt could get some minutes after recovering from injury.

And the manager will resist such a policy as he looks to put some form together for a team that have not won in five games but whose performances have improved in recent weeks.

“We have a duty to ourselves and to the Football League to go into this game looking to put the score right,” said Boothroyd, whose players were beaten 4-0 at Underhill in October in a match he confesses left him feeling the lowest since he became manager at Northampton.

“We got a real slap in the face down at Barnet earlier in the season.

“We will be going all out to try to get the three points and it is important to focus on this game 100 per cent, it would be very wrong to do anything else.

“You can’t just switch good form on and off like a light switch.

“You’ve got to make sure you’re focused for every single game and we’ll do that because that’s the pattern we’ve been in.

“We won’t do anything differently this week to what we’ve done for the rest of the season, there’s been a good energy about the players and they are playing for places in the side.”

Boothroyd is excited about the prospect of his side featuring in the play-offs and being involved in big games at Sixfields that involve promotion rather than the battles against relegation of recent years.

The manager feels his team learned a lot about themselves in their most recent home game, a 2-0 defeat to York, and that they also benefited from a difficult period during last week’s game at Port Vale.

“Thursday is a big day for us, but Saturday is more important because it comes first,” he said.

“We’re expecting a full house here at Sixfields and we need to make sure we win the game.

“At Port Vale I thought we played really well and deserved to take more out of the game than we did.

“But there was a period in the game when we didn’t do things properly and we were a little bit shaky and we have to use that as something to learn from for the play-offs.

“Those are the kind of games you’re going to be playing in and in every game there’s a lesson to be learned.”

James Wilson has backed fellow Kiwi Glenn Dickson to be a big success at Saints.

Utility back Dickson and Otago team-mate Rob Verbakel have put pen to paper on deals which will see them move to Northampton this summer.

The pair are highly-rated in their homeland and have done enough to impress Saints boss Jim Mallinder.

Dickson has a reputation for a long kick and a good handling game, while Verbakel is an athletic lock who had a brief spell at Glasgow Warriors last season.

And while Wilson doesn’t know too much about the latter, he has plenty of good things to say about Dickson, who he came up against during his time at Southlands.

“I played against Glenn quite a bit, and know him as well, but I don’t know too much about the other guy,” said the 29-year-old. “But Glenn is a good footballer, a carrier and he’s decent. He’s got a hell of a boot on him as well.

“He used to captain the side over in New Zealand (Otago) so he’s a leader and he’ll be good for the outfit. It’s going to be good.”

Dickson will add to the competition in the Saints backs department next season, with plenty of talented players battling it out for first-team spots.

The likes of George North and Kahn Fotuali’i are also set to join this summer, while the current crop showed their strength during the 47-7 demolition of Sale Sharks on Saturday.

Wilson grabbed two tries as a replacement in that rout and he is now hoping this season’s squad can finish the season with a flourish as they head into the Premiership play-off semi-finals.

“It’s about finishing as well as we can, going into the semi-finals on a confident note and keep rolling on with that,” he said.

Cobblers chairman David Cardoza says finishing in the npower League Two play-offs is ‘very good news’ for the club’s finances.

Town will pocket £40,000 from Sky Sports in broadcast fees for the two legs of the semi-finals, and will be entitled to a further payment if they reach the Wembley final.

Club coffers will also be swelled by a bumper Sixfields gate for the home game and the added revenue an extra fixture on the list brings.

But despite the fresh injection of cash, Cardoza says the emphasis will be on balancing the books during a summer in which 12 players’ contracts at the club expire.

“It (being involved in the play-offs) is massively better financially than going straight up,” he said.

“We get the gate money, the television money and if we get to the final we get a big chunk then too.

“From a financial point of view it’s absolutely the way you want to do it (get promoted).

“You get money that you wouldn’t have otherwise accounted for.

“It’s good news, very good news. The money coming in now is effectively balancing out the season because it has been an expensive season.

“Our gates we budgeted we for are absolutely bang on, but one or two costs have been more than we would have liked them to be.”

The Cobblers have been a league two club since their relegation in 2009, a factor which - combined with the current financial climate - has made dealing with the finances at Sixfields an increasingly arduous task.

Despite taking a huge drop in revenue during those years, Cardoza has financed several high-profile signings, including the summer deals to bring the likes of Chris Hackett and Clive Platt to the club.

Not much will change from a budgetary point of view if Northampton are promoted, with the chairman putting the emphasis on sustainability.

“We took about £800,000 worth of income off the minute we got relegated to league two,” he said.

“It’s difficult to say what it would be worth to us to get promoted this year.

“We would get around £200,000 more from the Football League money and the gates would obviously be a lot more.

“It’s difficult to say how much more but in this environment gates are down across the board.

“This season, because we’ve tried to give Aidy (Boothroyd) everything we can, it has been an expensive season and we’d be looking to try to find the balance again next season, regardless of whether that is in league one or league two.”

A soldier who attacked a man outside The Roadmender in Northampton town centre has been spared a prison sentence so he can continue to serve “Queen and country”.

Rhys Cox, aged 18, of Chestnut Terrace, pleaded guilty to a charge of GBH at Northampton Crown Court on Friday, a conviction that can carry a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment.

The court heard the victim and a friend were walking away from the Lady’s Lane music venue at around 1.30am on July 14, 2012.

They passed between Cox and another man when the victim was punched twice to the face.

The attack left him with a fractured eye socket, bruising to his face and double vision.

When police were called a member of door staff at The Roadmender told them the victim had been attacked by two men who had earlier been kicked out of the club.

When they tracked Cox down in The Drapery, he ran off, but was later arrested.

In mitigation, Steven Evans said Cox had since signed up for the Army and was now an “exemplary soldier”.

He urged the court to take an “unusual” course of action and to pass a conditional discharge on Cox, as a prison sentence could have seen him thrown out of the armed services.

Mr Evans said: “I am going to submit that the best place for him to remain will be in the Army.”

Sentencing him, Judge Rupert Mayo agreed to pass a conditional discharge, saying: “I am doing this to ensure that you are able to continue serving Queen and country.”

He did, however, order Cox to pay compensation to the victim of £750 and court costs of £250.

It may have something to do with my surname being Jones but I always feel extremely relaxed, welcomed and ‘at home’ when I visit Wales.

Unlike many capital cities, Cardiff has managed to maintain a friendly and laid back culture which makes it the ideal place to visit for a long weekend.

My girlfriend Hannah and I stayed in The Parc hotel during our stay which proved to be a perfectly situated base from which we could access some of the main tourist attractions in the city.

After being booked in by a friendly and informative receptionist we went up to our room which was clean, modern and extremely spacious.

Despite being next to one of the main shopping streets, the room was extremely quiet and the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing sleep.

On our first night, we ate in the hotel restaurant and found the food to be of the highest quality.

The flavours in the food were excellent and the meal was complemented by friendly staff always on hand to top up drinks or offer assistance.

The breakfast was also one of the best I have come across in a UK hotel.

As well as the usual range of cereal and toast, there were hot breakfast items such as sausages and bacon which were cooked perfectly and not overly greasy.

As our hotel was within in walking distance of the Cardiff Castle, it was the first on our list of places to visit.

Tourists can either pay for entry into the castle grounds or slightly more for a guided tour around the living quarters.

I would highly recommend paying the extra money for the guided tour as the rooms inside the castle bring to the life the story of the 2nd Marquess of Bute, who was one of the richest men in the world in the 19th century and helped Cardiff became the city it is today.

Through a talk which was interspersed with some typically Welsh self-deprecating humour, our guide brought the history of the castle to life.

One of the best things that the Bute family did for the city was to leave the castle to the ‘people of Cardiff’ which means every resident has free entry to the grounds and the site cannot be sold off to a developer.

Another cultural highlight in Cardiff is the National Museum, again within walking distance of The Parc Hotel.

The museum tells the fascinating story of Welsh history revealing how important the coal or ‘black coal’ was to the country.

For art-lovers, the museum also features an art gallery full of Turner paintings which were collected by two sisters from mid-Wales in the early 20th century who then donated them to be used in the public interest.

Another welcoming attraction in Cardiff is the shopping arcades full of independent retailers which have managed to survive alongside the growth of the St David’s shopping centre featuring all the big department stores.

For those wanting a quiet cup of coffee away from the hordes of bargain hunters flocking to Primark and H& M, there are places such as Madame Fromage, which offers the atmosphere of a typical Parisian café.

As well as the smaller food retail outlets, Cardiff also boasts a variety of large chain restaurants such as Red Hot Buffet which caters for culinary tastes of all kinds.

The capital is not short of places to eat out in the evening and we decided to have a meal at Greenwood & Brown.

The stylish restaurant is situated in the heart of the city, near the Millenium Stadium and diners are able to enjoy tasty dishes from a creative menu.

My chicken main course was cooked to perfection and the service was friendly and attentive.

For those wanting to learn more about Cardiff’s history, guided walking tours are available.

As someone who did not know a lot about the city’s history, it was fascinating to have a guided expert bring to life Cardiff’s colourful past including a time when it was a safe haven for notorious pirates.

It was also interesting to learn that, compared to many capital cities, Cardiff is still relatively ‘young’ as it was only officially given its title in 1954.

In terms of nightlife, the city centre offers a range of clubs, traditional pubs and unusual bars such as The Chapel, an old church building which has been recently converted.

On Saturday night we chose to visit the Motorpoint Arena to watch Ronan Keating in concert but visitors can also chose to see a show at the Millennium Centre or go and watch a sports event such as a Cardiff Devils ice hockey match.

With Cardiff being just a two-and-half hour car journey from Northampton, I would highly recommend it as a place to go for a long weekend.

And I’m not just saying that because my surname is Jones.

It has long ben a bone of contention in local cricketing circles that the County have little or no interst in the club game that exists on their doorstep.

But that, according to Second XI coach Phil Rowe, is something that is a thing of the past.

This weekend, no fewer than five contracted players will be plying their trade in the NCL Premier Division, a number that could be even higher on certain weekends.

Olly Stone (Wollaston), Rob Keogh (ONs), Luke Evans (Horton House), Sam Sweeney (Brixworth) and Christian Davis (Wellingborough) are all due to be in action on the league’s opening day.

And Rowe believes the club game has an important role to play, saying: “We’ve given it a lot of thought and it’s an important part of Northants Cricket overall.

“We want the league to be as strong as possible and to forge good relationships with the clubs and hopefully there is a benefit for everyone concerned.”

A number of players last season were opposed to playing in the NCL due to the fact that more money was available elsewhere – Niall O’Brien played down in Kent for example – but Rowe thinks that a sensible compromise has been agreed by all parties.

He continued: “Some of the lads have talked about going to play where they can pick up more money but we’ve spoken to the clubs about it.

“The players get a reasonable sum for playing so it’s more attractive to them and they don’t look elsewhere.

“We want them to be doing the right things so that everybody gets something out of the relationship.”

NCL Fixtures

Saturday, April 27

Premier Division (start midday): Finedon Dolben v Oundle, Horton House v Wellingborough Town, Northampton Saints v Burton Latimer, Old Northamptonians v Brixworth, Peterborough v Rushton, Stony Stratford v Wollaston

Division One: Geddington v Old Wellingburians , Irthlingborough Town v Desborough, Kettering v Weekley and Warkton, Loddington v Old Northamptonians IIs, Rushden v Finedon Dolben IIs, Wellingborough Indians v Peterborough IIs

Division Two: Earls Barton v Stony Stratford IIs, East Haddon v Long Buckby, Isham v Rushden IIs, Overstone Park v Brigstock, Rothwell v Northampton Saints IIs, Thrapston v Irchester

Division Three: Great Oakley v Heyford, Podington v Old, Raunds v S&L Corby, St Crispins Ryelands v Great Houghton, Wellingborough Town IIs v Horton House IIs, Wollaston IIs v West Haddon

Division Four: Bowden v Geddington IIs, Burton Latimer IIs v Old Grammarians, Kempston v Kibworth IIIs, Northampton Saints IIIs v Old Northamptonians IIIs, Rushton IIs v Grendon and Prims, Stoke Bruerne v Weldon

Division Five: Badby v Kettering IIs, Brixworth IIs v Overstone Park IIs, Cogenhoe v Wellingborough Indians IIs, Oundle IIs v Isham IIs, Stony Stratford IIIs v Irthlingborough Town IIs, Wicken v St Crispins Ryelands IIs

Division Seven: Weekley & Warkton IIs v Finedon Dolben IIIs

Division Eight: Desborough IIs v Obelisk, Long Buckby IIs v Irchester IIs

Division Nine: Brigstock IIs v Little Harrowden, S&L Corby IIs v Great Houghton IIs, St Michael’s v Old Grammarians IIs

Division 10: Old IIs v St Crispins Ryelands IIIs

Division 11: Old Wellingburians IIs v Wollaston IIIs

Division 12: Grendon & Prims IIs v Weekley and Warkton IIIs, Weldon IIs v Medbourne

Division 13: Horton House IVs v Bugbrooke IIs

Division 14: Isham Zingari v Barton Seagrave IIs, Rushden & Dean Academy v Barby IIIs

Sales of homes worth over £1 million have soared to their highest level since the height of the 2007 housing boom and Northamptonshire is proving to be a boom area, a report found today.

In the East Midlands, including Northamptonshire, 47 homes sold for more than £1m in 2012, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year one of just three areas of the UK - alongside London and Scotland - where there was a year-on-year rise in the number of properties selling for seven figures.

Million pound properties out-performed the rest of the market in 2012, as sales of homes below this price bracket dropped off by three per cent year-on-year, the report said.

Across Britain, 7,397 homes with a price tag of over £1 million were snapped up last year, marking the highest number seen since 2007. Almost one quarter of all these sales took place in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

By contrast, just four sales of million pound homes took place across Wales during 2012 and nine were made in North East England.

More than one in 20 (5.6%) homes sold in London in 2012 were worth over £1 million, with the English capital proving a strong pull for wealthy overseas buyers looking for a safe haven for their cash. London and the South East made up 85% of all million pound home sales last year.

Nitesh Patel, Lloyds TSB housing economist, said: “Strong demand from wealthy, cash rich buyers, from both the UK and overseas, as well as limited supply, has supported this sector of the market.

“As a result, sales at the very top end of the market are much closer to their peak levels than the market as a whole.”

The Government imposed a new seven pre cent stamp duty rate on homes worth over £2 million in March 2012.

Lloyds TSB used figures from the Land Registry and the Registers of Scotland for its findings.

Here are the numbers of homes which sold for over £1 million by region in 2012 and the year-on-year percentage change:

:: North East, 9, minus 40 per cent

:: North West, 79, minus 19 per cent

:: Yorkshire and the Humber, 38, minus 21 per cent

:: East Midlands, 47, 12 per cent

:: West Midlands, 58, minus 12 per cent

:: East of England, 458, minus 5 per cent

:: London, 4,820, 6 per cent

:: South East, 1,493, minus 5 per cent

:: South West, 240, minus 9 per cent

:: Wales, 4, minus 71 per cent

:: Scotland, 151, 14 per cent

:: Britain, 7,397, 2 per cent

The leaders of political parties trying to take control of Northamptonshire County Council came under fire from members of the public during a two-hour debate on the Chron’s website.

The leaders of the local Labour and Liberal Democrat groups as well as members of the Conservatives, UKIP, Green Party and independent candidates all took part in the debate on Friday afternoon.

During the session, many of the politicians faced tough questioning on their policies ahead of the May 2 election.

UKIP’s Margot Parker was forced to defend her group, arguing it was not merely there to collect protest votes.

She said: “We are not purely a protest vote, we cover all the issues which affect people’s lives - we have policies on all topics not just our membership of the EU!”

Liberal Democrat leader, Brendan Glynane, also had to defend his party, arguing its reputation had not been damaged by being part of the coalition Government.

He said: “We have hard working councillors across Northamptonshire, who deliver for local residents, I am confident that hard work will be rewarded at the ballot box.”

During the debate, issues which raised temperatures included hot topics such as the switch-off of street lights across the county and the state of Northamptonshire’s roads.

Questions were also asked about school places, tax rates, cuts to services and the investment in the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership quango and its Brussels-based office in particular.

On street lights, the Liberal Democrat leader said: “On the doorstep, residents are telling us they’re afraid to go out at night, it was the wrong decision for the Tories to switch off our lights.”

His concerns were echoed by Labour leader, John McGhee, who added: “The real issue is the way the public, especially the frail and elderly, react to the cutting of lighting levels.”

Margot Parker from UKIP added: “We know that many people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, want the lights back on. Many aren’t going out at night at all anymore and resent being prisoners in their own homes.”

Other policy announcements made by the politicians during the debate included Labour’s pledge to build two new secondary schools in Northampton if elected.

The standard of child protection services provided by the county council, which has been judged to be inadequate by Ofsted, also came under the spotlight.

Speaking for the Conservatives, who have led the council since 2005, Heather Smith said improving the service was their “number one priority”.

That view was backed by the Liberal Democrats and Green Party candidate, Tony Clarke, who said vulnerable adults should also be a priority.

To read the entire debate, go here .