A thrilling contest between Titans and Sheffield Junior Sharks needed an overtime period to finally decide the winner.

The high-scoring game was played at break-neck speed throughout all four periods and each team managed to score more than 20 points in each of the quarters.

Transition defence went out of the window as each team scored fast break basket after basket.

It was Titans that managed to take a narrow 44-42 lead into the half-time break.

As the third quarter began in similar fashion to the first two periods, the home side suffered a crushing blow when they lost the services of influential captain Elliott Farrar after he had to leave the game after sustaining an ankle injury.

As Sharks extended their zone press defence, they managed to establish a double digit lead which looked like it would be enough to secure their fourth and consolidate their position at the top of the league.

Once again the atmosphere was electric at a packed Weavers Leisure Centre as the Northamptonshire 
boys mounted their comeback and managed to tie the game at 92-92 with four seconds left in this fantastic advert for the U16 Premier North.

The Yorkshire side had a chance to win the game in regulation when they missed two free throws which meant the game would need an extra period to determine the victors.

Missed shots and some costly turnovers cost Titans dear as they just came up short against a talented Sheffield side, losing 104-101.

Northamptonshire Titans 125 Leicester Warriors 36

NEBC Titans U13 Boys took on Leicester Warriors who had previously enjoyed huge success last season.

The staggering stat for the Titans was no less than seven players made double figures. The Titans scoring was led by Grant (27), Carr (20), Layne (17), Owen Gill (15), Cirtanutas (12), Taiwo Hamilton (11) and Bradley Powell (10).

Leicester Riders 23 Northamptonshire Titans 69

NEBC Titans Under 14 Girls took on newcomers to the National League, Leicester Riders.

Titans’ pressure defence took its toll on Riders as Titans’ fast break execution was clinical, with Hannah Bird and Frankie Patmore finding their way to basket.

Top scorers for Titans were Patmore (22) and Bird (11).

Northamptonshire Titans 47 Bracknell Cobras 106

An under-strength Titans struggled again against a one-man dominated team.

Cobras’ James Fettes scored 73 points to which the inexperienced Titans squad could not find an answer.

Sampresz Dixon did lead the response with 11 points in a positive personal performance. Cameron Samuels added nine and PJ Preston chipped in with six.

Cobblers ended their four-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon, but what have we learned about the club in the past seven days?

1. The squad is in good shape - but starting to get a little large. Chris Wilder will be delighted to have Marc Richards back this week, a player of true class and ability who has been badly missed during his spell out of the side with a hamstring injury. But he did make passing mention in his weekly press conference to a need to trim numbers down a little bit in the coming weeks and months. Kelvin Langmead has been made available for loan recently and the suggestion is there could be further changes during the January transfer window.

2. The FA Cup has lost some of its appeal. There was a time when Cup matches were the big dates in the footballing calendar and the final itself was the pinnacle of the footballing season. But over the years, the big clubs have treated the competition with increasing disdain, the final takes place on Saturday tea time (or whenever the television companies decided) and for lower-league clubs the ties in the early rounds are either accidents waiting to happen or annoying distractions from league action. Throw in the fact that Cobblers supporters don’t get the games included in their season ticket, and it’s easy to see why it’s in decline.

3. Alex Nicholls can still score goals. Getting fit is one thing. Getting fit and scoring goals is another and although Nicholls notched while on loan at Exeter City it was always going to be important for him to do it in Cobblers colours. His strike against Wimbledon was a good one and showed a poacher’s instinct as well as good technique to beat the keeper. That it came against Sixfields made it all the more sweeter.

4. Adebayo Akinfenwa probably won’t ever need to put his hand in his pocket in a Northampton pub. Few former players get the kind of reception which was afforded to the big man when he ‘came home’ to Sixfields with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. He admitted afterwards he was slightly emotional about the welcome he was given by a crowd who love him more than they do some of their current players.

5. There remains no news about the east stand. Although, we are reliably informed, things are developing behind the scenes and an update could be made public in the very near future. The club are fully aware of the supporters’ concerns and accept something needs to be said about the redevelopment but are wary of speaking out until cast-iron good news can be confirmed. Watch this space...

And so the bid to transform from Mr Muscle (the thin guy from the old adverts) to Mr Muscles (hopefully!) has begun.

Having wanted to join a gym for some time, I got in touch with my local, AGW Fitness, which is based at Towcestrians RFC on Greens Norton Road (between Towcester and Greens Norton).

When you hear it is located at a rugby club, you immediately imagine the gym is inhabited by an army of bulky rugby players trying to stack up ahead of their next match.

But it is not like that, at all.

Instead, it is mostly used by people wanting to get a bit fitter or leaner rather than those bidding to bulk up.

I am, of course, bucking the trend as I aim to put on some lean muscle to add shape to my current pencil-like frame.

And having now done six weeks in the gym, I’m seeing some rewards.

When I arrived, the only chin up I’d ever been able to do was lifting my head to look at Garryowens while covering rugby matches.

But now they are firmly part of my programme - and I am doing more and more each time I try.

I’m now on my second set of workouts, meaning it’s got a little more intense since the early bedding in period.

But it is more rewarding, because you are pushing your boundaries a bit more - and hoping it gives up you the gains (a bit of gym speak there) that you’re looking for.

Another positive is being able to eat more.

I’m a big food fan and to put on muscle, you have to increase your daily intake.

Protein shakes are useful, but far from the be-all and end-all.

And I’m trying to learn more about nutrition as I go along.

That way I can hopefully avoid putting on fat and just ensure it is muscle that is making me heavier.

The personal trainers at AGW Fitness, Dave and Adam, have helped with advice on food and are always around to make sure you’re doing things properly.

I was a member of a gym a few years ago and was left to my own devices, which never allowed me to know what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong.

I eventually gave up (which is very easy to do) not knowing why I’d been able to achieve my aims.

That is not the case here.

Because the gym is not your traditional chain, churning out client after client, it is easier to seek advice.

And I’d recommend it to anyone.

Now, I’m off to eat some more chicken and enjoy a welcome rest.

AGW Fitness also offers classes throughout the week and the membership fees start at £20 per month.

You can check out what the gym has to offer at www.agwfitness.co.uk

Darran Foster admits he is ‘truly gutted’ to have departed the Daventry Town hot-seat.

Foster opted to resign from his role last Thursday, having been left with a threadbare squad.

He was quickly replaced by former Watford and Milton Keynes Dons striker Allan Smart, who has brought in former Town boss Ady Fuller as his assistant.

And Smart will now set about using his Academy contacts to build a squad, with the budget remaining limited at Communications Park.

“Last week we went over to Bedford and only had 11 players plus my assistant manager (Neil Champelovier),” explained Foster.

“We got beat and another five of the players told me they’d be looking for other clubs. It’s unsustainable.

“We’d chased players from three or four levels down and there was still no interest in it whatsoever. It left me with four players.”

Foster was also perturbed by what he felt were a change in circumstances, with rumours of a big-money backer coming into the club.

That would have seen Foster being forced to become No.2 to Smart, with Champelovier having to leave the club.

Daventry Town chairman Iain Humphrey maintains no fresh injection of funds has come in, but Foster was under the impression a deal had been agreed last week.

“I heard there might be a deal about to happen a month ago and it would have meant me being No.2, with Neil Champelovier leaving,” he explained.

“I wasn’t prepared to accept that.

“The chairman wasn’t interested (in the new backing) then, but things have deteriorated since and it appeared they were going to get involved.

“With me stepping down, a new management team has been put in place, which gives the club a chance.”

Foster, who was appointed Town boss in 2012, steered the club into the FA Cup first round proper last season, with the team eventually losing 2-0 at Chesterfield.

They also reached the Southern League Division One play-off semi-final, falling to defeat at Kettering Town, and managed to claim glory in the NFA Hillier Senior Cup.

But a change of direction was sought as Humphrey could not continue with the budget that had put the club in position for promotion.

And Foster knows his former boss had little change but to assess his options.

“It got very, very difficult but I don’t blame the chairman because he’s always been good to me,” he said.

“It’s all a little bit disappointing but I know it’s something the chairman had to look at because he had no other choice.

“I am truly gutted because the people have been really good to me and we’ve had some great experiences.

“I’m gutted I was in a position where I had to hand it over but at least we’ve hopefully made sure the club won’t slide down the leagues.”

Thirteen illegal immigrants have been found in a lorry stopped in Northamptonshire.

The Iranian nationals were discovered in a vehicle that had come from Dover as it had got to the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal in Crick this afternoon.

Police said they were called to Danes Way, which is just off junction 18 of the M1, at about 3pm after the driver heard banging coming from the back of the vehicle.

A spokesman said officers discovered 12 adults and one child.

Eleven of the adults were handed over to UK Border Agency officials and a woman, who was pregnant, was taken to hospital with police officers in attendance.

The Labour leader announced plans to give bus passengers more control over the services they use during a visit to Northampton College today.

Ed Miliband, who is hoping to become Prime Minister next year, held a question and answer session at the college in Booth Lane accompanied by his new shadow transport secretary Michael Dugher.

The opposition leader said he wanted to see a situation in Northampton similar to that in London, where elected representatives get the chance to have a say on what bus services are provided.

Mr Miliband said: “Outside London it is a free for all where the bus companies decide what they want to do.

“Since bus services were deregulated the number of passengers has gone down 37 per cent.

“This is an economic issue as more and more people are doing shift work. We want fares and routes to be decided by democratically-elected local people not to just be at the whim of bus companies.”

Mr Miliband also set out some of his other election promises, including plans to increase the minimum wage to £8 and taking action on zero hours contracts.

He said: “I think most people in the country feel it is not being run for them but for somebody else.

“The question is are we going to live in a country run for the few at the top or for most working people.”

During the hour-long question and answer session, which was attended by college students and Labour party supporters, Mr Miliband was asked about the cost of taxi and bus fares as well as the lack of services.

After being told by on Labour supporter that the new bus station was “too small and in the wrong place”, Mr Miliband said he had heard the new bus station was “quite a saga.”

Mr Miliband paid tribute to Labour candidate for Northampton North Sally Keeble saying she was “running a great campaign” and he believed she would win back her seat in Parliament next year.

During the visit Mr Miliband also responded to a question from the BBC about criticism of his leadership by some backbench Labour MPs.

Mr Miliband said the reports of unrest were “nonsense” and refused to accept there was any concern amongst Labour MPs about his leadership.

Dorian West has stressed Saints’ released England stars will have no trouble getting back in the groove at Franklin’s Gardens.

Lee Dickson and Calum Clark were let go by national team boss Stuart Lancaster on Tuesday evening.

That means they will play no part in the mouthwatering Test against New Zealand at Twickenham.

Instead, they will be reintegrated in the Saints squad, with the club preparing for games in the LV= Cup and Aviva Premiership during the coming weeks.

“I don’t anticipate it being a problem,” said forwards coach West. “The lads have only been away for a week and they’re all keen to be involved in it.

“They won’t have forgotten too much.

“We had a problem after the Six Nations last season where we got a bit stuck down and it was hard to get going again as a team but I don’t anticipate that being a problem this time of the year.”

Far away from the glitz and glamour of Twickenham, Saints go to Scarlets for an LV= Cup clash on Friday night, looking to build on last Saturday’s impressive 37-23 win against Newcastle Falcons.

Cobblers boss Chris Wilder says the club has never ‘taken chances’ with the fitness of their squad and will be cautious about using players who have recovered from injury.

Leading goalscorer Marc Richards rejoined training this week and right-winger Chris Hackett is also back in the fold after a back problem.

Richards has been out for a month after pulling a hamstring in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Portsmouth but returned to first-team training on Monday.

The decision to play him at Fratton Park was questioned by some supporters but Wilder insists there was no risk taken and hopes to have his more of his established players available from this point.

“I don’t think we’ve ever taken chances and you have to go off recommendations by the medical staff,” he said.

“So we’ll assess them and make sensible choices because we can’t have anyone going back in the treatment room, I want them playing now.

“I want a settled squad and I want our numbers to be as high but we need to trim the squad a little. I hate it when you see on the back of the programme the squad numbers going to 34 and 35.

“We haven’t been avoiding injuries this season but players are starting to come back now and we need to make sure we don’t lose any more of them.”

A specialist academy in Northampton that provides places for young people at risk of exclusion and school-age mothers has been judged “outstanding” by Ofsted for the second time.

The CE Academy, based on nine sites across Northamptonshire, was inspected in July 2014 and a report of the visit states the school is “highly effective in delivering outcomes that provide exceptionally well for all its pupils’ needs.”

The inspectors also highlighted the innovative range of vocational subjects available, that most able students gain up to eight subjects at GCSE.

The report also states that students make outstanding progress in English and mathematics because the teaching of these subjects is excellent.

Bobbie Kelly, headteacher, said: “It’s a real accolade for pupils and staff at the academy. I am very proud to be the Headteacher of The CE Academy”.

A schoolboy from Northamptonshire who lost his grandad to cancer is raising money under the Movember campaign by posing as a different moustachioed celebrity every day this month.

William Heath, aged 12, lost his Pappa in February after a battle with pancreatic, testicular and prostate cancer.

The Earls Barton schoolboy wanted to help raise awareness of male cancer with the Movember campaign but knew he stood little chance of growing an impressive mo himself.

Not to be put off, he decided to go to a local fancy dress shop and pick out all the costumes he could find that included a moustache.

He has been amusing visitors to his Mo Space website by posting a new photo each day of November and encouraging them to donate to charity.

His mum, Clare, said: “Even though he has no chance of growing a moustache, with the help of the local fancy dress shop William is able to post a new photo every day of a famous person who sports a moustache.

“So far he has done Biggles, Hercule Poirot, Keith Lemon, Ali G, Groucho Marx and Confucius.

“It is William’s aim that by posting daily pictures on social media that his campaign will amuse people and remind them to donate to the #Movember appeal - whose vision is to permanently change the face of mens’ health.”

William’s “Mo Space” can be found at http://mobro.co/williamheath , he has currently raised over £750.

The Full Monty was one of the most successsful British films ever made and the story of the unemployed men who turn to stripping is now a stage show.

The writer of the film Simon Beaufoy has adapted the story and it is being performed at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton next week.

The show stars Gary Lucy, who is well known from Footballers Wives, The Bill and East Enders, Andrew Dunn, who played Tony in Dinnerladies and Louis Emerick who was Mick Johnson in Brookside for many years and also played PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine.

The Full Monty is on the Derngate stage from Monday to Saturday, November 10 to 15, at 7.45pm each night, with matinees at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets, priced from £10 to £30, can be booked by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royaland
derngate.co.uk.

A lawyer is obsessed with the idea that he and his family have been cursed by the spectre of a woman in black.

He employs a young actor to help him tell his story and free him from his fears.

It all starts out well enough but things soon take a creepy turn.

The novel The Woman In Black has been adapted and performed as both a stage show and a film, starring Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe.

And a production of the play comes to Royal And Derngate in Northampton next week.

The Woman In Black was first performed at the Theatre-By-The-Sea in Scarborough in 1987. The play opened in the West End two years later where it has enjoyed continued success as well as numerous national tours.

The show is now celebrating its 25th year in the West End and more than seven million people have seen it.

The Woman In Black takes to the Royal stage from Monday November 10 to Saturday November 15, at 7.45pm, with matinees at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets, priced from £10 to £29 can be booked by calling 01604 624811 or at www.
royalandderngate.co.uk

The Core at Corby Cube has announced its spring season which includes, drama comedy, spoken word and shows for children.

Among the performances are Mark Grist and MC Mixy doing battle in Dead Poets Death Match.

With an assortment of famous poets to draw on, the pair ask the audience to select the competitors and crown the winner in a wordy battle.

The Only Way Is Downton comes direct from the West End and multi-award-winning Theatre Ad Infinitum present their Edinburgh hit, Light. It is inspired by Edward Snowden’s revelations and the resulting debate about state surveillance.

In Broke, The Paper Birds explore what it is to be broke, with a new production that draws on real-life stories.

For more information, and details of dates, times and prices for events and activities, visit www.thecorecorby.com, or call 01536 470470.

John Godber’s play is staged from 7.30pmon Thursday, November 13.

The show is about a Friday night with Judd, Ralph, Les and Lucky Eric.

A smooth-talking DJ, lager-swilling lads and women done up to the nines all come under the beady eye of the bouncers.

John Godber’s observational comedies have been very popular over the years, so much so that he is said to be the third most performed playwright in the UK after William Shakespeare and Alan Ayckbourn.

This show is one of the most performed plays and gained an Olivier Award nomination, in addition to being voted as one of the National Theatre’s Top 100 plays of the 20th century.

Reform Theatre will be putting on the production which lifts the lid on the Friday night experience in a poignant and humorous look at the urban nightclub scene.

Tickets, priced £14 or £12 for concessions can be bought by calling 01933 270 007 or by visiting the theatre website at www.thecastle.org.uk.

Kingsthorpe College in Northampton has become the first school in the county to be honoured with a Gold Library Award in recognition of its work to promote a love of reading.

The status was awarded by the Learning Resources for Education, Northamptonshire County Council’s schools library service, which launched the School Library Award in May.

The library at Kingsthorpe College was praised for its efforts to encourage and support pupils with their research, as well as promoting a love of reading through activities including book awards and literacy initiatives.

The school’s library also offers numerous out-of-hours clubs and homework sessions and has hosted a number of author visits thanks to a partnership with Waterstones.

Councillor Matthew Golby, County Council cabinet member for learning, skills and education, said: “A good school library can play an important role by teaching pupils how to do independent research and providing a place where they can do quiet study.

“This Gold Library Award is thoroughly deserved by the library staff at Kingsthorpe College and I hope other schools will follow their example and recognise the need to place libraries at the heart of the school environment.”

Debbie Morrison, Principal at Kingsthorpe College, said: “We are thrilled with this award which reflects the dedication of a wonderful team of staff. Our students are very fortunate to be able to learn in such an impresssive environment and we intend to keep developing further ideas and initiatives to keep the library at the centre of all that we are about”

The School Library Award is an accreditation scheme that rewards primary and secondary schools for high standards.

A planning application to provide 170 new car parking spaces in a Northamptonshire town has been submitted.

The scheme, which is earmarked for land off Northampton Road in Towcester, has been put forward by South Northamptonshire Council.

It will be a phased scheme with 60 spaces available in March 2015 and a further 110 once proposed improvement works at the junction of Brackley Road and the A5 have been completed.

The new car park will be situated just off the Northampton Road, north of the River Tove and south of the Shires housing estate, and around a five-minute walk from Watling Street and The Forum, Towcester’s new community building.

Councillor Dermot Bambridge, portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration, said: “One of the major concerns identified by residents and local businesses at the public consultation in 2012 was car parking in the town. We took on board these concerns and have worked hard to identify the provision of these extra spaces.

“Many fast-growing towns like Towcester have limited parking in their high streets but I believe that we will now be well served, which has to be good news for everyone.”

The car park will have no parking restrictions and will complement other new car parking areas close to the Northampton Road/Watling Street junction, which were acquired for the Moat Lane Regeneration Scheme. These include a 76-space car park and 49 spaces being constructed on the Northampton Road itself, as well as other parking spaces for use by visitors and traders within the development area including 13 spaces for disabled drivers.

Fixture: Scarlets v Northampton Saints (LV= Cup game two)

Date/kick-off time: Friday, November 7, 7.30pm

Venue: Parc y Scarlets

Weather forecast: 8C, chance of rain

Scarlets: S Evans; Williams, Hughes, Owen, Climo; S Shingler, Hardy; John, Myhill, Edwards; S Jones, Earle (c); McCusker, J Davies, Pitman.

Replacements: Elias, W Jones, Adriaanse, Day, Bennett, R Davies, Lewis, Warren.

Saints: Wilson; Packman, Stephenson, Waldouck, Collins; Hooley, Hodgson; E Waller, McMillan, Mercey; Woolford, C Day; Dowson (c), Nutley, Fisher.

Replacements: Williams, A Waller, Ma’afu, Clark, Harrison, L Dickson, Mallinder, Foden.

Outs: Scarlets: G Davies (knee), Lloyd (knee), Owens (neck), King (hamstring), Warren (knee), Rawlins (hamstring), Kelly (forearm), Phillips (cheekbone), Evans (hand), Robinson, R Evans, Barclay, A Shingler, Snyman, Tagicakibau, A Davies (all rested), L Williams, Lee, Ball, R Jones, Priestland (all international duty)

Saints: Corbisiero (shoulder), Myler, G Pisi (both hamstring), Dickinson (neck), Burrell (hand), Fotuali’i, K Pisi, Hartley, Lawes, Wood, North (all international duty).

Most recent meeting: March 11, 2012: Saints 27 Scarlets 12

Tom’s preview: For top division footballers in England, it is said the ultimate test of character comes in the form of a trip to Stoke City on a wet Tuesday night.

It’s partly to do with the passionate atmosphere in the Potteries, partly to do with the perceived lack of glamour, and predominantly due to the physical nature of the home team.

When you are thinking of a rugby equivalent, a trip to Llanelli on what is forecast to be an inclement Friday night is not too far off.

But that is what lies in wait for Saints this week.

Their squad, shorn of the likes of Dylan Hartley, Tom Wood and George North, will be put under pressure at Parc y Scarlets.

And it will be the ultimate test of character for the youthful crop named to take on Scarlets.

Last week, Jim Mallinder’s men (or in many cases, boys), produced a slick showing to see off Newcastle at Franklin’s Gardens.

It was a display bursting with energy, enthusiasm and class as the Falcons were flayed 37-23.

But Saints will be under no illusions that the second step on the road to a desired home final appearance will be much more precarious.

Scarlets may be resting players - and coaching staff! - but those who come in will have a point to prove.

And that provides a dangerous proposition for Saints.

Having said that, they have shown they have the steel to get the job done before.

Last season, they battled a hail storm in Newport to slay the Dragons.

It wasn’t pretty, but the away side’s power game came to the fore in torrid conditions.

It is right to expect a repeat on Friday night - and if it happens, it will be another tick in the box for this talented young group.

Tom’s prediction: Scarlets 16 Saints 25

Commuters at Northampton Railway station faced long delays this morning after a train broke down on the route to London Euston.

All trains between Tring and Euston were cancelled for two hours this morning with signalling problems also contributing to the travel problems.

Passengers were sent by bus to and from Northampton station to Wellingborough and then to London Euston via the East Coast mainline.

Steve Moore said he arrived at Northampton just before 9am and was then sent by bus to Wellingborough but the first train he was due to get on at the station was cancelled.

He said: “Train at Wellingborough was cancelled too so there was standing room only. I’m just arriving at St Pancras now (11.20am). Two and half hours after arriving at Northampton station.”

A message on the London Midland website just after 11am stated all lines between Northampton and Euston had now reopened.

On Saturday November 8, at the Derngate Theatre, the Northampton Bach Choir will join with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform a Special Concert of Remembrance – Lest We Forget.

In a poignant and fitting move, in this the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, the choir has invited singers from Northampton’s twin towns of Poitiers and Marburg to sing with them.

A party of 11 visitors from Marburg and 21 from Poitiers will join the choir for this moving concert with the RPO, under the baton of Nick Davies, featuring reflective music from John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Barber and Mozart, alongside emotive works from Holst and Verdi.

The concert also features the gifted soprano Elin Manahan Thomas.

The two parties will be hosted by members of the Northampton Bach Choir and in addition to their participation in the concert itself, they will attend a reception hosted by His Worship the Mayor of Northampton, John Caswell, at the Guildhall along with members of the Northampton Twinning Association.

NBC chairman, David Tristram said: “This is an almost unique opportunity for friends from our twin towns to come together and commemorate an event so significant for us all. It is fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives in this conflict – and to the peace eventually established between the countries of Europe.”

Officers were forced to close one of Northampton’s busiest roads this morning due to a swan.

Northamptonshire Police were called at 11.41am to the A45 westbound carriageway close to Brackmills where the swan had landed in the road.

Officers had to stop traffic in a rolling road block and close both sides of the roads.

The swan flew off shortly afterwards.

The road is now reopen.