A 29-year-old man stole cosmetics and perfume from Boots to pay for food, a court heard.

Phillip James Roden pleaded guilty two counts of theft at Northampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday after taking a pair of wire cutters from a DIY store and £440 worth of products from Boots the chemist.

Magistrates heard how Roden, who this week secured accommodation at the Mayday Trust in Northampton, was previously homeless after his parents were given a custodial sentence and had taken the goods to sell for the essential items he needed.

In mitigation, Paul Griffiths, said he had now turned his life around.

Mr Griffiths said: “At the time Mr Roden didn’t know where his life was going. He now has stable accommodation and I feel that with this the likelihood of him re-offending is reduced.”

He added that Roden was fit to do unpaid work and wasn’t taking drugs.

He was given a 12-month community order and told he must complete 100 hours of unpaid work in the community. He will also ordered to pay costs of £100 and a £60 victim surcharge.

Jim Mallinder is using rotation to keep his Saints squad on their toes this season.

The director of rugby made four changes for the game at Harlequins last Friday, even though his side had thrashed Exeter 38-11 in their Premiership opener six days earlier.

And it worked to perfection as the fresh faces, including the likes of Samu Manoa and Kahn Fotuali’i, helped Saints claim a gritty 13-6 success at The Stoop.

They now head to Gloucester on Saturday with two wins under their belt and plenty of selection options.

And Mallinder said: “It is important that we keep everybody motivated and playing well. We can’t play players 32 games a season for 80 minutes. We need to keep everybody playing.

“We had a good week last week. Our Wanderers team beat Leicester on the Monday, we had a short training week but really, really good and we went to Quins and won.

“We’ve had two really good wins so far and we want to continue that this week.”

The strength of the Saints squad is greater than ever, especially in the pack, with the likes of GJ van Velze, Salesi Ma’afu and Rob Verbakel yet to appear for the first team.

Those men have instead helped the Wanderers win their opening two games of the season, the latest of which was a 52-26 demolition of Worcester Cavaliers on Monday night.

And Mallinder knows such depth will be crucial when he loses his international aces during the autumn series and the Six Nations.

“You need it,” said Mallinder. “We’ve got a few games now but then it’s the autumn internationals and we’ll lose players so we need as strong a squad as we can possibly get.

“Some of the sides we play are very strong, they’ve got strong squads and it means we can just change around a little bit.

“It was really pleasing to see the lads who came on in the game on Friday step up and us not lose our shape or affect our game plan.”

New time-lapse video footage has revealed how the footbridge at Northampton Railway Station was removed.

The bridge was removed last month as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the site.

A 750-tonne crane was used to remove the footbridge and it will be replaced by a wider version which will connect directly to the main station building.

Construction of the new £20 million railway station is under way.

The new 2,500 sq metre railway station is due to open in autumn 2014 and will include larger shops and a cafe.

Longer-term phases of the development potentially include a new multi-storey car park and a 28,000 sqm commercial development.

Cobblers defender Lee Collins believes the ability to play with composure will be the key to victory at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Town head to Field Mill having lost seven of their nine games so far this season and with the team in 22nd in Sky Bet League Two.

The match, against a Stags side with the momentum that newly-promoted teams generally have and who are unbeaten in their past six games, is a difficult assignment for Northampton, who improved against Exeter City last weekend but still came away empty-handed.

But Collins is confident the recent progress can be maintained at Mansfield.

“Mansfield are a very physical, in-your-face kind of team,” he said.

“But if we stay composed and play the way we can then I don’t see why we can’t win there.

“There is pressure on you whether you’re at home or away, and I personally tend to treat games the same no matter where they are.

“We have a bit of a hoodoo away from home at the moment and we know that’s something we need to turn around.”

Collins and the rest of the Town squad received a psychological boost this week in the form of some healthy plaudits from Exeter manager Paul Tisdale.

Tisdale described Northampton as ‘phenomenal’ and the best team his side had faced this season - comforting words for Collins and co but ultimately meaningless when stacked against the scorelines.

“Their (Exeter’s) gaffer hit the nail on the end and it was encouraging to hear him say that we’re the best side they have played,” he said.

“But the stats don’t lie, it’s another defeat on our record and we are disappointed with that.”

Drunks could be handed over to a private company until they are sober enough to speak to the police, Northamptonshire’s Chief Constable has said.

Chief Constable Adrian Lee has suggested the idea of a private firm taking care of the town’s heavy drinkers to free up police resources.

He said: “I would like to know what the public think about having a private company look after people until they’re sober in the morning, at which point they will be billed for the privilege.

“We use a lot of police resources dealing with alcohol related incidents and that has a big impact. Why should the public have to pick up that cost?

“We would like people to tell us what they think of this idea on Facebook and Twitter and by writing in to the Chronicle and Echo.”

Mr Lee said nationally, 50 per cent of all violent crimes are alcohol related and 73 per cent of domestic abuse incidents site alcohol as a factor.

Across the country, the police spend £11 billion on alcohol related crime.

To highlight the issue, Northamptonshire Police will hold an alcohol awareness week from September 16 to 23 to coincide with Freshers’ Week.

Mr Lee said: “I don’t think people realise the impact this type of crime has on police resources.

“We’re not anti-alcohol and recognise it can be a positive thing in the community and a means of socialising, but a lot of people ‘pre-load’, meaning they’re very drunk before they go out.

“I was outside the Roadmender at 4am recently speaking to students and though there was a very positive atmosphere everyone had been drinking before they went out and some of them had already had too much.”

The police will also step up their town centre presence in special operations working with the University of Northampton to provide ‘pass cards’ for use as ID in place of passports. They will also ask the county’s senior schools to come up with ideas to address the harm caused by alcohol related crime.

The force’s mobile custody unit will also be in All Saints Square on Friday and Saturday evening.

Mr Lee said: “Having a unit in the town centre makes everything more efficient because officers are able to get back out on the streets faster.”

Free Wi-Fi internet access is now available at all 36 libraries across Northamptonshire.

The unlimited service can be used by anyone, whether or not they are library members.

Customers can access the Wi-Fi using their own devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

Deputy leader and cabinet member for customers and communities Councillor Heather Smith said: “The addition of Wi-Fi has already had a big impact for our customers.

“It has been used to help deliver conferences, access computer courses, conduct research and get involved in social networking, to a name just a few examples.

“Wi-Fi is part of the modern world and it’s something people expect to be able to access in as many places as possible and it is particularly useful during our job clubs, enterprise hubs events and other careers and business start-up activities.

“By making it easier than ever for our customers to go online, we are better able to equip people with the necessary skills to learn more about their own devices and how to get online, connect with their communities and help themselves.”

Wi-Fi is also now available at Brixworth Country Park and at the Record Office in Northampton.

As well as adding to the range of services already offered to customers in the library, the Wi-Fi also improves the conference and meeting facilities available in these locations.

The project was funded by councillors who donated money through the Empowering Councillor scheme.

The current Wi-Fi contract is for one year and following a tender process, was awarded to Kettering-based business T James Telecoms Ltd.

A 47-year old woman has been airlifted to hospital with head injuries after falling from her horse while hunting in Towcester.

Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) received a call just after 10.50am today and landed at the scene 20 minutes later.

A WNAA spokesman said: “The patient had lost consciousness and had sustained a head injury. She was transferred to the Major Trauma Centre at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire for further assessment.”

A gang of men wearing balaclavas attacked a village shopkeeper before escaping with the till, cigarettes and money from a safe.

The robbery happened at the post office in Church Lane, Kislingbury, at about 11.10am on Saturday, 14 September.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “Three or four men entered the post office and assaulted the shopkeeper.

“They stole the till and cigarettes and then forced the victim to open the safe.

“They stole a quantity of cash from the safe before leaving the shop.”

The men wore black clothing, balaclavas and gloves and all had a medium build.

They left in a light coloured car which was possibly silver and had a partial registration number of GY51 or GU51.

Anyone with information can call police on 101.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man who requires “urgent medical treatment” has gone missing from Northampton General Hospital, police have said.

Sigitas Jakimavicius, aged 53, of Baker Street, Semilong, Northampton, went missing from the hospital yesterday, and has not been seen or heard of since.

Mr Jakimavicius is white, 6ft 2in and of medium build and at the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue jacket, black jogging bottoms and a black and red baseball cap.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are growing increasingly concerned for his safety as he requires urgent medical treatment.”

Anyone with information about Mr Jakimavicius can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Just five weeks left in the Dalepak Summer Naps Challenge and leaders Where’s Me Glasses have stretched their advantage once more.

The team fronted up by Russell Nunn and Julie Gregory at Lubenham now holds a lead of £15.82 over their own ‘stable-mate’ entry of Nipper Time after the success of Outstrip.

However, third-placed team The Viking, run by Leif and Ricia Johansson now trail Nipper Time by just £1.75 after the Irish raider Viztoria took the 7f Park Stakes at Doncaster.

Best scoring price of the week was the 16/1 success of Angels Will Fall which obliged for Charlie’s Angels, Go Getters and Kingsley Park Airgun respectively.

Next Saturday, selections can be made at Ayr, Catterick, Newbury, Newmarket and Wolverhampton.

SUMMER NAPS TABLE

*Denotes non runner switched to race favourite

Where’s Me Glasses OUTSTRIP (13/8) +67.32

Nipper Time Invisible Hunter +51.50

The Viking VIZTORIA (7/2) +49.75

Pipe’s Predators Our Jonathan +33.01

Crown West Haddon LEADING LIGHT (7/2) +30.25

Long Buckby Skittles OCEAN TEMPEST (8/1) +29.73

Cobblers Youth Our Jonathan +28.63

Shonkies Lad Doc Hay +26.00

Rosebery Ramblers My Direction +25.00

Postman Pat Prodigality +24.48

Dave’s Doublers Excess Knowledge +24.00

The Likely Lads Ancient Cross +23.58

St Paul’s Six Furlongers SPARK PLUG (12/1) +23.50

Charlie’s Angels ANGELS WILL FALL (16/1) +22.50

Cogenhoe Star LEADING LIGHT (7/2) +22.50

Brumbies Cameron Highland +22.18

Zulu Warriors Doc Hay +21.50

Overstone Caravaners FORGOTTEN HERO (12/1) +21.38

Trueform Aurora Magical Macey +18.00

Old Hamish Pretty Flemingo +16.95

Health Matters Steps +15.50

Queen’s Park WMC Our Jonathan +15.50

Go Getters ANGELS WILL FALL (16/1) +15.00

SPA Miliika* +15.00

Betony Belle Red Jazz +14.00

Steeleye Ann Definightly +14.00

B C Magpie Our Jonathan +13.50

Forza Milan Monsieur Chevalier +11.50

Got Potential Lockwood +11.00

Trafford Bridge Stables You Da One +10.75

Manor Mayhem Great Hall +9.50

M & N Racing Red Jazz +9.00

Ajay Club Mehdi +8.13

Racegoers Secret Witness +8.00

Nu Vu Windows Doc Hay +7.75

We Like Guinness Burwaaz +7.50

Marron Racers Arnold Lane +7.00

NCT Racing Whitecrest +6.75

Aye Boy Telegraph +6.19

Kingsley Park Airgun ANGELS WILL FALL (16/1) +6.00

Magster Rosie Rebel +5.03

Duston Con Club My Direction +4.50

OXO Wild Desert +4.50

Diamond Girl Violet Plum +4.00

Wooldale FC MAHICAN (evens) +3.66

White Hart Hackleton Extra Noble* +3.50

Yeoman Boys Charlotte’s Day +3.32

Blue Diamond Red Jazz +2.63

Lonesome Dove Great Hall +2.50

Midland Band Pool Foundry +2.25

Bristol Arsenal El Viento +1.96

Earls Barton WMC Come On Dave +1.75

Beatnik Beatles Steps +1.50

Selling Platers Magical Macey +1.50

The Yarmouth Vagabonds Definightly +1.50

Brinley’s Banker Cap O’Rushes +1.10

Moulton Mules Bogart +1.00

Nag Nappers Extra Noble 0.00

T&J Club Fear Or Favour 0.00

Sons Of The Desert Pied A Terre -0.75

Crown And Anchor Elusivity -1.00

Greens Norton Racers Prodigality -1.00

Old Sun Heyford ROYAL SIGNALLER (11/4) -1.25

West Haddon Bowls CHOCOLA (11/8) -1.62

Marmalaid Racing Apostle -1.75

Cripps Social Club Lockwood -2.00

Sywell Flyers Steps -2.24

Tomnjack Arnold Lane -2.50

Red Van Man Lockwood -3.00

Sticky Wicket Secret Number -3.00

Delboy’s Trotters HIPZ (3/1) -3.06

Nene Valley Racing Mick’s Yer Man -3.50

Mr Grumpy Lockwood -3.59

West Haddon FC Violet Plum -3.64

Cassandra Magical Macey -4.00

Girls On Top Secret Number -4.00

Abington LTC Italian Tom -4.50

Juddies Giants Sweetheart Abbey -4.50

Aardvark Racing Doctor Parkes -5.00

Mayfield Park Secret Witness -5.00

White Horse Silverstone Great Hall -5.00

Alcon -5.50

Towcester S&SC Steps -5.50

Growly Bears ASCRIPTION (2/1) -5.62

Tailor’s Dummies Libertarian -6.00

Crown Wellingborough OUTSTRIP (6/4) -6.50

Culworth Red Lion LEADING LIGHT (7/2) -6.50

T&S Racing Barnet Fair -6.67

CJ’s Pickles Sirius Prospect -7.00

Margil Social Estibidaad -7.00

PWB Racing Our Jonathan -7.00

TP Racing Foundry -7.00

Abfran Racing Excess Knowledge -7.04

Exiled Geordies Steps -7.50

Bajan Racing Our Jonathan -8.00

Barnstaple Nomads Voodoo Prince -8.00

Only Shoes And Horses Our Jonathan -8.00

Weekley Saints Telegraph -8.00

Loco Saints Galileo Rock -8.17

Trinity Old Boys Gold Beau -8.75

Rothwell Cobbler Treaty Of Paris -9.00

The Boys Spin Artist -9.00

The Wife Can Do Better Pastoral Player -9.00

Roade Walkers Our Jonathan -9.05

Barley Hill Punters Quest For More -9.95

Cock At Roade Pucon -10.24

Gloster And Fife Club Pied A Terre -11.00

Jaycee Club Doc Hay -11.00

Lane’s Longshots Novabridge -11.00

May Winnit Gentlemax -11.00

Sons of Black Sam Doc Hay -11.00

Maori Racing Alejandro -11.00

Rosey Poets MILLY’S GIFT (7/1) -11.00

Transco OB Elusivity -11.00

Brixworth Wanderers Gregorian -11.20

NIBS Strassman -11.21

Roade FC Libertarian -11.50

Snowy’s Daughter OUTSTRIP (6/4) -11.50

Evertonians LEADING LIGHT (7/2) -12.00

Midland Band Darts El Viento -12.00

Spinaclean Kittens -12.00

Towcester Racecourse Hanoverian Baron -12.00

Gusto’s Boys Doc Hay -12.50

Blisworth Garden Services Steps -12.75

Photo Finish Foundry -12.84

The Wolf Whistler Catflap -12.87

Dawn’s Boys Ajjaadd -13.44

Chelsea Pensioners Bogart -14.00

Queen’s Park Snooker Zero Money -14.00

Golfing Gourmets Buy Out Boy -14.50

Miracle Workers Java Rose -14.50

Plough Inn Everdon Trinity River -14.50

Whistle Blowers Gregorian -14.50

Butch Cassidy & S’dance Kid Doctor Parkes -15.00

The Uppers Global Village -15.50

Max Steps -16.25

Riches’ Floretunes Haayil -16.25

Wright Nag Haayil -16.50

Clever Trevor Cap O’ Rushes -17.50

Bulltee Boys Balty Boys -17.75

ACKO Steps -18.09

Royal Oak Walgrave Great Hall -18.17

Carefree Block XI Pretty Flemingo* -19.00

Deb’s Delights Ralston Road -19.00

Admiral Rodney You Da One -20.00

Barnstormers Ancient Cross -20.00

Big Mac & The Nuggets Secret Number -20.00

Dalepak Social Barnet Fair -20.00

Fat Boy Doc Hay -20.00

Fleetwind Flyers Libertarian -20.00

Happy Dave Secret Witness -20.00

Headlands Golf Great Hall -20.00

JGs TBs Alpetetim -20.00

K9 Walkers Cameron Highland -20.00

KAB Red Jazz -20.00

Lady G Abundantly -20.00

Mincerman + Evergreen Forest -20.00

Mug Punters Caspar Netscher -20.00

Not Too Sad Area Fifty One -20.00

Phoenix Golf Doc Hay -20.00

Rifle Drum Confessional -20.00

St Mary’s FC You Da One -20.00

The Nap Hand Partnership Monsieur Chevalier -20.00

Cogenhoe United were knocked off top spot in the United Counties League Premier Division by Long Buckby, who won at Compton Park on Tuesday night.

Buckby picked up an impressive 2-1 win which moved them into the top five.

Veteran Howard Forinton made it a scoring debut for Buckby 20 minutes in, scoring from a corner.

Courtney Herbert scored a solo equaliser for the Cooks 10 minutes into the second half.

Substitute Joe Power won the contest for Phil Mason’s men with a decider nine minutes from time.

Sileby Rangers made it two wins in four days as they edged out basement visitors Harborough Town with a 3-2 win at Fernie Fields.

Taras Petranyuk put the Bees in front on the half-hour, but they were pegged back by a Lewis Entwistle equaliser just two minutes later.

Two goals in four second-half minutes gave the division one champions the points.

Korey Morgan put Sileby in front on the hour and Karibo Motshweni extended the lead four minutes later.

Craig Jacobs replied for Harborough after 82 minutes but they remain rock bottom in the table, with Sileby in the comfort of 14th place.

Dorian West says Courtney Lawes and Tom Mercey have taken part in training this week – allaying fears the duo may miss the game at Gloucester on Saturday.

Lock Lawes and tighthead prop Mercey were both forced off early in the second half of the 13-6 win at Harlequins on Friday night.

But both appear to have injuries which will not prevent them playing a part at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Saints will be aiming to record a third Premiership win in succession at the expense of a Gloucester side who have lost both of their games this season.

“They’ve trained this week,” said West of Lawes and Mercey. “They’re a bit sore, which is what you get after a couple of games with the impacts going on.

“Lads are going to have little bumps and bruises and we’ve got quite a few in that situation. It’s just a case of managing them so they’re available for the weekend.”

The Northants Golf Union Junior League final will see Collingtree Park take on Northampton at Kettering GC on Sunday after they recorded contrasting victories in their semi-finals over the weekend at Cold Ashby GC.

Collingtree were given a stiff test by Brampton Heath before edging home by one point, while Northampton recorded a more comfortable 4-2 win against Whittlebury Park A.

Ben Jones was a 4&3 winner for Collingtree, but with Harry Brown and Sam Digby collecting two good victories for Brampton, the match came down to the remaining three ties, all of which went the distance.

Dan Messom levelled the scores with a victory over Alec Francis, before Andrew Denis won the 18th against Hamdi Bulugma to give Collingtree a slender lead.

Needing to avoid defeat in the last game to secure the team win, Collingtree’s Jack McGuinness played a brilliant approach shot to the edge of the 17th green before holing an eight-footer for par to guarantee a half with Lewis Relf.

Northampton booked their place in the final the previous day in emphatic fashion as Sam Gilkes (4&3), Cameron Wilson (4&3) and Josh Limbert (5&3) were all in impressive form.

Although Martin Conley got Whittlebury on the scoreboard by beating Ross Garlick on the closing hole, Northampton wasted little time in wrapping up the win as Ben Hawkins defeated Fergus Robinson 3&1.

Rayner Edwards added another point for Whittlebury in the last game as she won the 18th hole against Elliott Limbert.

NGU Handicap Semi-Finals

Hellidon Lakes remain on track to become only the second team in county history to retain the Handicap League title after they sealed a meeting with Northampton in the final.

The defending champions defeated Overstone Park 9-4 in the semi-finals at Cold Ashby GC, while Northampton completed a 18-6 thrashing of Cherwell Edge in their last four tie at the same venue.

Northampton were always in control of their match from the moment Adrian Nice and Spencer Sturges clinched the opening tie by seven holes.

Chris Flaherty and Lee Van Hoof (three holes) and Colin Forrester and Andrew Simmons (two holes) extended the lead, before Terry Jackson and Adam Witherall got Cherwell going with a two-hole win.

Although the last tie also went to Cherwell by four holes, any Northampton fears of a collapse disappeared when Thomas Philbin jnr and Steve Tyrrell took the other game by half a dozen holes.

Hellidon made a steady start to their semi-final as wins from Len Edwards and Kevin Lovell (two holes) and Michael Canning and Gary Caunt (two holes) gave them an early advantage.

Overstone’s Dan Fowkes and George Marston halved the deficit in game three, but Richard French and Roy Trim recorded a three-hole victory to give Hellidon some breathing space.

Although Adam Bull and Dave Mandley cut the lead to three, Hellidon sealed their 16th win in their last 18 Handicap League outings when Craig Cotterill and Gavin Aris finished two up in the final tie.

Hellidon will now be looking to match Collingtree Park’s double in 2001-2 when they will take on Northampton in the final at Whittlebury Park GC on Sunday, October 13.

NGP Junior Order of Merit

County boys champion Charlie Salter leads the qualifiers for the Northamptonshire Golf Partnership Junior Championship Finals at Northants County after topping the Order of Merit with 111 points.

With the best six scores to count from the eight Junior Opens held this year, Brampton Heath duo Giorgio Forgione and Ben Jones fill the top two spots in the net category.

Jack Munday (Cherwell Edge), David Walshe (Staverton), Matthew Myers (Northants County), Martin Conley (Whittlebury), Luke Barney, Andrew Watson (both Overstone), Hamdi Bulugma (Brampton) will also compete for the gross prize.

With the Grand Finals set to be played as part of the Moulton College Junior Open on October 30, Josh Bryanton (Northants County), Fraser Quinn (Staverton) and Conor Rosling (Collingtree) have qualified in the net.

The girl’s final tables will be decided after their closing event at Northants County later this month.

English County Champion of Champions

Jack Brown (Brampton Heath) fell away in the closing stages of the English County Champion of Champions tournament as he finished 14th at Woodhall Spa GC.

After shooting a steady 79 on a difficult opening day, Brown moved into contention when he covered the first 12 holes in one-under-par during the final round.

The teenager couldn’t maintain his momentum however as the 2013 county champion dropped five shots down the stretch to shoot a 77.

English Junior County Champion of Champions

Whittlebury Park’s Charlie Salter showed his potential in the English Junior County Champion of Champions event as a strong finish lifted him into 11th spot at Woodhall Spa GC.

Despite an opening score of 82, the 13-year-old kept going in the afternoon as he fired four birdies in his last 10 holes during an excellent second round of 74.

English Senior County Champion of Champions

Richard Cole (Peterborough Milton) struggled to find his consistency in the English Senior County Champion of Champions comp as he finished in the middle of the pack at Woodhall Spa GC.

With just one birdie on his scorecard in an opening round of 81, Cole did slightly better on the second day as he picked up one shot in the middle of each half in a 79 to finish 16th.

Evian Championships

Kettering’s Charley Hull was made to pay for two high scores on the 18th hole in the Evian Championship as she missed the cut by three strokes.

With the fifth and final major event of the year being reduced to 54 holes following heavy rain, the Solheim Cup star hit four birdies in the first round but a triple bogey on the last meant she finished with 74.

The 17-year-old also bagged a quartet of birdies on the penultimate day but failed to make the final round after dropping three shots on the last two holes in a 75.

MPGA

Simon Lilly (Wellingborough) compiled a round of seven-under-par 64 to win the 75th Anniversary Pro-Am at Peterborough Milton GC by two shots.

The runners-up spot went to Rothley Park’s Matt Cort, who also claimed the top prize in the team comp. Cold Ashby pro Shane Rose’s side finished third in the team event.

England under-16s

Ellie Darnell, who is a member at Wellingborough and Kettering, has been selected for the England under-16 regional training programme after impressing in a trial session at Woodhall Spa earlier this month.

An eagle two on the 10th hole was the highlight for David Aveyard in the September Medal as he compiled the leading score of net 64.

Fellow 10-handicapper John Boston finished one stroke behind in second spot on countback from Kevin Robinson.

Isobel Robertson held her nerve on the closing hole in the September Medal as she claimed a two shot victory from Pamela Kerr and Barbara Steane (both net 71).

Northants County

Three shots was Tom Bullough’s margin of victory twice in the Autumn Meeting as he held off the challenge of Matt Myers and Ben Garrett to clinch a gross and net double.

Bullough carded a 36-hole gross score of 139 to lift the County Cup from Myers, with Garrett coming closest to beating the one-handicapper in the net battle for the Regimental Cup.

Stephen Howitt picked up both the Parker Bowl and the Saint Botolphs Salver after completing a gross and net double in the Seniors Championship after bagging 42 points.

Gary Keyes (38) won the first section, Stephen Battison (36) clinched the lower division, while Harry Tough (35) picked up the Millennium Trophy after being the leading golfer over 70 years of age.

Brampton Heath

Richard Abbott saw four shots comes off his 28 handicap after smashing a magnificent tally of 48 points in the Russ Faul Challenge Cup.

After carding three gross pars in the opening five holes, the veteran finished with three more pars in the closing five holes to beat David Darby by five points.

Adam Marriott (net 67) won the September Medal by one stroke from Matthew Smith, while Jean Pickering was successful in the Ladies OOM Plate Final.

Kingsthorpe

Ash Patel and Tim Johnson combined perfectly in the Charity Shield Betterball Stableford as they grabbed the first prize with 44 points.

Simon Lee had nothing worse than a five on his scorecard during the third round of the Eclectic as the 13-handicapepr shot a winning round of net 64.

Harry Middleton (65) was runner-up in the top category, while Christopher Pugh finished three clear in the second division with a 66.

Overstone Park

Kyson Lloyd hit every green in regulation during the September Midweek White Tee Stableford as the plus-two handicapper fired an excellent tally of 42 points.

The score was still only good enough for second place however as Craig Finnis, who was playing off 21, grabbed a countback victory.

Three players are tied for first place in the Eclectic Order of Merit on net 48 as Tony Ames, Pete Softley and Billy Beard battle it out for first prize.

Silverstone

Mel Toms and his daughter Natalie were both in sparkling form for the second successive weekend as they claimed a victory apiece in separate club comps.

After the duo won the Mixed KO Final last week, Mel carded a stunning round of 45 points to lift the Mick Christie Cup by six from Dave Makepeace and Phil Carter.

It was Natalie’s turn 24 hours later as she bagged 40 points in the Sunday Pro Shop Stableford to finish four clear of Alan Trew.

Hellidon Lakes

Dave Hodson backed up his recent victory in the second round of the Tigers Summer Series with a magnificent winning net 61 in the September Midweek Medal. Jim Robinson was runner-up on 68.

Andy McKeown grabbed 42 points in the September Stableford as he finished ahead of Paul Washbrook (39) and Malcolm Hepple (38), who grabbed the second and third divisions respectively.

Whittlebury

A birdie on the first hole set the tone for David Owen in the September Medal as the 17-handicapper finished two ahead of Richard Braybrook with a net 67. Richard Allenby (70) won the top section.

Jacqueline Jenkinson and Tracey Mann were the first winners of a Summer KO title after defeating Mary Forman and Jackie Taylor in the Parr Foursomes Final.

Collingtree

Half a dozen birdies were on the scorecard of Brendon Moss in the AIB Masters as he carded the leading first division round of net 67.

Mid-handicapper Kieron Healey fired the same score to take the overall prize in the sixth and final event of the year as Conor Rosling clinched the Order of Merit with an impressive total of 124 points.

Cherwell Edge

Paul Anderson led the way in the September Midweek Stableford as a total of 40 points earned him a two-point win from Stephen King.

Frank Parr dropped just three strokes on the inward half in the September Seniors Medal as he clinched a countback victory with a net 68.

Farthingstone

Darren Matthews and Stuart Bates carded an excellent score of 43 points on their travels as they finished third in the Oundle Putter.

Park Hill duo Alan Merron and Ken Heaps took the honours on countback from Simon Chester (Burghley Park) and John Stewart (Spalding) with 45.

Staverton

A birdie two on the 16th hole helped John Fielding beat Alan Thiel on countback in the Vets Nine-hole qualifier.

Four points was the margin of victory in the Family Foursomes as Andrew Gibbins’’ team (37) finished ahead of Roy Patrick’’s side.

Delapre

Chris Almand, Daniel Badharee, Julian Brockwell and Timothy Brockwell formed the winning quartet in the Eddie Barber Team Challenge after shooting 117 points.

In the Ladies Tuesday Nine-hole Stableford, a score of 19 points secured first prize for Diane Bull ahead of Janet Reed (17).

Northampton

The three leading scores in the Ladies September Medal all came in the top category as Irene Rhodes (net 70) beat Olwen Hickman by one shot, with Jean McKenzie in third on 73.

Daventry

Norman Deacon was in devastating touch on the inward stretch during the Mullingar Trophy as he carded three consecutive pars twice on his way to 40 points. Bert Howe (35) was second.

Ken Pisi says he feels more comfortable in the heat of the Premiership battle this season.

The Samoan wing joined Saints from North Harbour last summer, making 24 appearances in his first season at the club.

Pisi registered three tries during that time as he continued to adjust to life in England.

But with a full season now under his belt, the 24-year-old has shown improvements, scoring in the opening-day win against Exeter before putting in a solid showing in the win at Quins last Friday.

And he said: “I feel more experienced.

“I experienced the Premiership for the first time last season and I’m more comfortable playing in it now.

“Pre-season went well, I feel I’ve done what I can and hopefully it’s showing out on the field. I’m more used to the intensity of the games.”

Pisi has also profited from the tuition of new attack coach Alex King, who has arrived at Saints from Clermont Auvergne this summer.

When asked what he has learned from King, Pisi said: “Just a lot of lines, being more open and playing what I see.

“It’s more like French rugby and using what you have.

“Kingy’s been there, done that, he knows what the players are thinking and feeling and he understands the boys.”

Pisi will aim to produce the goods again when Northampton head to winless Gloucester on Saturday.

But the wide man, who made his Saints debut at Kingsholm on the opening day of last season, knows his team will be in for a real scrap against a fired-up Cherry and Whites outfit.

“They’re a good team, especially at home,” he said.

“They’ve lost their past two games but once they get their heads up and the Shed’s behind them it’s going to be tough down there.

“The boys aren’t getting carried away, we’re just going to go there and do a job.”

Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd is confident he has the midfield options to cover the suspension of Gary Deegan at Mansfield Town on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Town head to Field Mill with Deegan serving a one-game ban after the Irishman collected his fifth booking of the campaign in last weekend’s defeat to Exeter City.

But the situation is helped by the return to fitness of Ian Morris, who has recovered from a groin injury and who is available for selection.

“We’ve got good options there,” he said. “Ian Morris is fit again so we could slide him in there, we’ve got Danny Emerton as well, and we could change the formation around a little bit.

“Young Matty Harriott, who has done very well for us, could go in there and do a job for us as well, so there are lots of things we could do.

“We need to look at Mansfield in detail, work out how we can exploit them and then plan accordingly.”

Also suspended for the weekend is winger Ishmel Demontagnac, who completes his three-game ban for the sending-off at Milton Keynes Dons.

Kelvin Langmead (knee), Lewis Hornby (back) and Alex Nicholls (broken leg) are all on the injured list for the game.

Veteran batsmen Rob Key and Brendan Nash struck centuries on the second day of Kent’s LV= County Championship match against promotion-chasing Northamptonshire.

Kent made Northants toil in the field for the entire day with West Indies international Nash top-scoring with 107 off 152 balls as the visitors were eventually bowled out for 418.

It was also a landmark day for former England batsman Key, who made his 50th ton in first-class cricket with 101 from 148 deliveries and for James Middlebrook, who took career-best figures of six for 78.

After persistent rain cut the first day short, Kent began on 60 for one with Key resuming on 17 and Daniel Bell-Drummond on seven.

Bell-Drummond, however, was to add just four to his overnight total before his thick edge off Muhammad Azharullah went to Middlebrook at third slip.

But Key was to reach 50 off 101 balls as he and Nash piled on 134 between them for the third wicket.

Both batsmen were to go past 1,000 runs in the County Championship this season during this stand with Nash racing to a half-century off just 69 deliveries.

Key completed his century off 148 balls in the second over of the afternoon by smashing a six over mid-on off Middlebrook, but he fell with the very next delivery when he nudged to same bowler to Andrew Hall at slip.

Ben Harmison then was stumped on 28 by Northants wicketkeeper David Murphy off Middlebrook, before Nash completed his 17th first-class century and his fifth of the season off 140 deliveries.

Darren Stevens then became the third Kent batsman of the day to surpass 1,000 Championship runs in the campaign before Nash finally perished when he was trapped lbw by Middlebrook.

Northants took the second new ball straight after tea and at the start of its fourth over, Kent wicketkeeper Sam Billings (eight) was pinned lbw by Hall.

Stevens was then very fortunate to bring up his half-century off 74 balls when he launched Hall high into the air only to be dropped by Lee Daggett at mid-off while running the single that took him to 50.

Daggett made amends when Stevens tamely chipped the Northants seamer to Azharullah at midwicket to depart for 63.

Kent captain James Tredwell (10) was then taken by David Sales at extra cover off Middlebrook, who completed the 12th five-wicket haul of his career as he dismissed Mark Davies (nine) and Adam Ball (32) late on.

Well, Northants would have been preparing for the lucrative Champions League in any other year as English cricket’s Twenty20 winners.

But the ECB seem to enjoy going up against the Indian-led ICC, and so the Steelbacks will miss out on a considerable payout as the domestic season overlaps the lucrative event this week, with some $6 million up for grabs in India.

And it’s not like Northants don’t need that money, as it has been revealed that most of the £200,000 from winning the Twenty20 went to the players, with the club left with just £40,000.

The Champions League winners get a tidy $2.5m, and half of that for runners up.

Its $500,000 if you make the semi-finals, and $200,000 just for showing up. Ouch!

So, attention turns to the final embers of the not-so-glamorous LVC Championship in not-so-glamorous late September, as the Northants players enjoyed a week off to prepare for this week’s crucial game with Kent.

The same Kent side that saved one of their worst performances of the year to do all they could to help Essex win last week.

But Darren Stevens (out of contract) battled it out in the gloom at Canterbury like a true pro, and Northants went into the final two games with that very healthy 21-point lead.

To be fair, Kent have been rubbish all year and were second bottom going into the game, which is where Northants could well have been this season without the efforts of Trent Copeland.

But failing to get the 127 follow-on at Canterbury was embarrassing, and a hint that Essex are doing everything they can to catch us.

Saying that, Ricardo reminded me that we crumbled to 90 all out against the same county of Kent the day before the Twenty20 final in that 2009 season, which may well have been the lost points for an easy draw that cost us promotion that controversial year.

If players are distracted, then they don’t perform, simple as that.

If we do get promoted, who do we bring in to try and get some sort of early traction on the tough mountain climb to come?

And how do we pay for it? It looks as though the 2013 budget will be no different to the 2014 one by the looks of it.

I think we will need to win at least two matches on the early April/May pitches with our seam attack to stand a chance.

Copeland’s bowling maidens to get wickets approach is what we need, and it would be great to see another Aussie come in, as David Smith has hinted at.

It looks like Steve Magoffin may not renew at struggling Sussex, and so he is a possible target.

We know the top teams have strong support seam that we don’t have, and we also know we are well short in the spin department.

If we don’t get a top quality spinner we have no chance.

Draws keep teams up in LV= One, and the pitches reflect that as matches go the distance with spinners required to bowl long spells to keep the seam attack fresh.

James Middlebrook and Matt Spriegel may not be up to the task.

I don’t think it will be Monty Panesar, as all manner of strange stories are coming out of Sussex about his behavior, cricinfo.com reporting that he was asking kids for money on the boundary that wanted his autograph.

‘Mum. Monty wants 50p to sign the scoresheet’. ‘What!?’

But With 134 of the 365 pros in English cricket out of contract at the start of August, there is choice out there as clubs continue economising to pay for their stadium improvements or increasing costs as the two-divisional wage inflation bites hard.

Northants are reportedly one of the worst payers on the circuit, and they will need more than one season of first division cricket to tempt the better guys to that supposedly grim payroll.

Andrew Hall, the Swiss Army knife of the team, has another year but no real pace, and so at least two experienced or promising seam bowlers will have to come in.

Maurice Chambers from Essex has been linked to Notts and Northants, and I know Matt Coles was talking with Derbyshire, but those talks may have gone flat now that the Midlanders are on the slide.

Experienced RSA all-rounder Greg Smith at Essex is available, but may be a Kolpak registration.

I hope we give Luke Evans one more year, but I can’t see it.

I also noticed Sussex have 40 per cent of their squad yet to sign for next season, and soon-to-be-relegated Surrey have 10 more not contracted for 2014.

But considering Boyd Rankin (an Irish national) and Chris Jordan (a West Indies national) only need play a handful of games for Surrey and Sussex to get in the England side, it will be hard to see any Surrey guys with international ambitions jumping ship anyday soon.

The big counties still offer those walk-in places for England as part of contract sweeteners by the looks, however ambiguous their nationality.

Batting wise we are in good shape, and if David Sales does make 1,000 runs and so finishes Northants’ top run scorer that should trigger a contract offer.

I have a really good feeling that Sales, Alex Wakely and Rob Newton will prosper in the top division as it’s the challenge they need.

At the moment they are like performance race cars on a mini go-kart track.

But they will be facing some seriously top-class pace bowling for a bit longer next season as the first Test doesn’t start until mid-June.

That means the England lads will be tuning up for a good six weeks in county cricket, shattering stumps and piling up runs.

Rob Keogh, James Kettleborough and Christian Davis are young players to stick with, and Stephen Peters and Kyle Coetzer a potentially good opening partnership at the next grade up.

Rob Murphy and Ben Duckett have the stumps covered.

But whatever happens, the team spirit is strong and let’s hope the players are on to their mates at other counties to consider a Northants move as another Finals Day beckons in 2014.

Charlie Wixon scored four as early leaders Standens Barn hit double figures against Monks Park WMC.

Nick Worley (3), Rosko Cook (2), Darryl Birch and Perry Moore were also on target in an 11-0 win.

St Margaret’s got their league campaign off to a winning start with a 4-2 victory over Blakesley.

Joe Ulker, Justin Dowling and Simon Underwood all netted for Margaret’s.

Dynamo and Sunnyside Corinthians had to settle for a point apiece after their game finished 3-3.

Liam Grisley and Dean Lukeman (2) got the goals for Dynamo, but strikes from Ricky Smith (2) and an own goal ensured it was honours even.

Division One

Spartak made it three league wins from three with a 4-1 victory over St Margaret’s Reserves.

Will Briscoe, Liam Norton, Matt Silecchia and Billy Sweeney were all on target to maintain Spartak’s 100 per cent start.

Fox & Hounds are up and running after a 4-0 win at MDS Rangers. Sam Wright (2), Daniel Lugg and Darren Wright were the men on target.

Midshire Electrical won again with a 4-0 victory at Sunnyside Corinthians Reserves.

Josh Farndon hit a brace while there were singles from Ross Skidmore and Lloyd Skidmore.

The other division one game saw a 3-1 win for Royals at FC Fotogold.

Division Two

Devonshire Club racked up another big win as they hammered Thorplands Club 81 10-0.

Steffan Chambers and Darren Wright led the way with a hat-trick apiece, while Joe Handley, Chris Swallow, Rob Handley, Glen Thompson and Barry Swallow all chipped in with singles.

Crown & Cushion won 3-1 at Manfield Rangers thanks to efforts from Joe Lewington, James Diggins and Lee Botterill.

Division Three

Windmill Warriors are the division’s early leaders following a 9-0 victory at AFC Obelisk United.

Goals came from Sam Irons (3), Craig Rose (2), Gareth Morrice (2), Nigel Eldred and Dean Mabee.

Karl Hoffenbeur’s double strike inspired Billing United to a 4-2 success over FC Jeckyll. James Hine and Tom Lavelle got the others.

There were also wins for Bugbrooke, Butcher Loco and Thorplands Club 81 Reserves.

Bugbrooke beat South Northants 4-2 with goals from Harley East, Ben Richards, Mark Toser and Tom Richards. Martin Blackwell and Robert Camper replied for South Northants. Butcher Loco saw off Tesco DG 6-0, while Thorplands overcame AC Squirrels Reserves 4-1.

Division Four

Kieran Rolfe scored six times in FC Gallery’s 8-0 thumping of Northampton Hotspur.

Nick Woodruff and Glen Roberts also netted in the emphatic win.

Paul Pearson was Nene FC’s match-winner in their game at FC Pioneer. Pearson hit a double in a 2-1 win for Nene. Luke Morrey got one back for Pioneer.

Royals Reserves, Hartwell Forest and Zedi United all bagged big wins.

Tom Cronin hit four of Royals’ five in a 5-1 success at the expense of Vesta, while Michael Wilson’s hat-trick steered Hartwell to a 4-1 
win over Obelisk United Reserves.

Zedi recorded their seconed win in three with a 4-2 victory at Ryan Munich.

Luke Morris, Dan Martin, Curtis Mosely and Gavin Marks got the goals.

Division Five

FC Lokomotiv Moulton Reserves made it 15 goals in two games as they comfortably swept aside Abington Stanley 6-0.

The goals were shared by Paul Tidman, Jason Nixon, James White, Lewis Walekr, Ashley Hall and Ben Wickes.

Spartak FC Reserves suffered their second-straight defeat as they were beaten 4-0 at Thorplands Club 81 A.

Jack Grant (2), Alex Tait and Mark Grant did the damage.

Goals from Ricky Roberts (2), Jack Gardner and Dominik Szablowski earned Brafield United a 4-3 victory over Billing United Reserves.

The District edged out Welland Valley 2-1 thanks to a strike from Wayne Riley and an own goal. Ricky Richards got one back for Valley.

FC Gallery Reserves and Northampton Hotspur ended with a point apiece after a 3-3 draw.

Ben Foster and Laura Mineards came up trumps with three titles on Sunday at County LTC’s internal club championship finals day, as most of the scheduled matches survived the rain.

Foster and Mineards not only won the prestige singles events at Northampton’s top club, but also teamed up to land the mixed doubles while Foster partnered Jonathan Searle to victory in the men’s doubles against Dave Garrett and Barry Wilson, while Mineards/Catherine Thompson did likewise against Kate Goodwin/Suzanne Clarke in the ladies.

While Foster defeated last year’s men’s singles winner Dean Gayton, Mineards was a 6-3, 6-3 victor against Kate Clayson.

The mixed doubles victory came at the expense of Dave Garrett and Catherine Thompson.

While the mixed veteran doubles and the 18U events were deferred due to slippery courts, the veteran ladies’ doubles saw Clarke/Rachel Cave beat Goodwin/Sylvia Duffy.

Henry Masters saw off the challenge of Piers Bodily in the 14U Boys’ contest.