Vehicle maintenance students at Northampton College have been given three new engines worth £20,000 from BMW.

The engines, from the BMW 3 Series range, will be used to give students the chance to work with up to date machinery and to familiarise themselves with the parts and mechanisms used in modern vehicles.

Chris Allen, from the college’s Vehicle Maintenance and Repair department, said: “We are delighted with the new engines and extremely grateful to BMW Group UK and their logistics partner Great Bear Distribution for their generous donation.

“This will make a big difference for our students as it gives them the opportunity to work on modern engines.

“We can now get to work on stripping them down and taking them apart, so students have the chance to get to know and feel every single component of an up-to-date engine.”

The department provides training for apprentices preparing to embark on careers in workshops and garages across Northamptonshire. It is hoped that working with these new engines will broaden the experience of the students, making them more attractive to prospective employers.

A primary school in Northampton is celebrating after being judged an ‘outstanding’ school by Ofsted inspectors.

The report, released this month, said Whitehills Primary School provides high-quality teaching and learning.

The two-day inspection took place in April and the school was said to give children an exceptional start to their learning. Children were described as courteous and respectful, articulate learners with a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning, enthusiastic to contribute in lessons and supportive of each other.

The school was seen to give excellent personal support and guidance to pupils, particularly in matters of safety.

Teaching across the whole school was described as outstanding with pupils being taught in a vibrant and stimulating learning environment.

Achievement of the most able pupils and those who have special educational needs, together with the associated additional learning support, was also recognised as outstanding.

Ofsted’s report indicated that the school’s “skilful” governors contributed effectively to the direction of the school, providing strong support and challenge and that the headteacher and school leaders provided “inspirational leadership”.

Ofsted also praised the school for working hard to develop close relationships with parents, ensuring that they are comfortable raising any concerns.

Robert Hardcastle, described in the report as an “exceptionally skilled headteacher”, said: “We are delighted that Ofsted has acknowledged how much teaching and learning has improved at our school.

“Focussing on improving the pedagogy of all adults who work in our setting has been the first priority for the last four years. We are really pleased that the Ofsted team could see and report on how hard our children work, how supportive our parents are and the excellence in the quality of teaching and learning at Whitehills.

“While we are pleased to receive this grading and have such an effusive report, we are not complacent and will continue to focus on putting children first and teaching them to the very highest standard.”

The school’s chair of governors, Harvie Hughes, added: “This is a great result for our school. I am absolutely delighted that the effort and achievement since the last inspection has now been recognised by Ofsted.

“However, though we are ‘outstanding’, we will not rest on our laurels. We will continue to focus on the children and ensure our teaching reflects this very high standard.”

A specialist police team has been created to target organised crime gangs who operate on and around Northamptonshire’s borders.

For the first time, specialist cross-border officers will tackle criminals who operate on the fringes of Northamptonshire in the belief that the rural location will help them evade capture.

The project will see officers from Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire work together to make sure criminal activity around the borders of Northamptonshire does not slip through the net.

Superintendent Andy Cox from Northamptonshire Police said: “Parts of east Northamptonshire in particular have, for a number of years, suffered from roaming organised crime gangs who do not see our county borders as boundaries, they see them as an area where they believe they can avoid detection by individual police forces.

“Our new cross border team will work to make sure that is not the case by staging regular operations to target known criminals and using the latest technology to track down criminal activity.

“We believe the cross border team will achieve some excellent results by targeting these roaming gangs.”

Despite crime rates falling nationally, police intelligence shows that criminals still actively target the border areas around different counties in the belief that these areas will not be policed as actively as large towns and cities.

To help track down such offenders, officers in the new cross border team will have access to automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to allow them to spot known criminals as they drive into Northamptonshire.

They will also be issued with the latest mobile computer technology, meaning they can stay out on the roads for longer and maintain high visibility patrols on the main routes into and out of the county.

A retired soldier living in Germany is not eligible for sheltered accommodation in his home town of Northampton despite serving his country for 28 years.

Northampton-born John Mayhew, aged 73, was in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, serving in Northern Ireland and Borneo among other places.

Like many British Army veterans he retired to Germany with his wife but has latterly been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

Realising he may be close to the end of his life, he desperately wants to come home and live out his last days among his family in Northampton.

But pleas to be allowed the sheltered accommodation he would need have been denied.

Northampton Borough Council, which runs sheltered housing, says his assets, including his army pension, mean he is most eligible.

They blame Government edicts that constrain how much discretion they can give, which the Department of Communities and Local Government has denied.

But the armed forces charity SSAFA (formerly the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) said, given the much-publicised community covenant, veterans should be special cases.

Mick Scanlon of SSAFA in Germany said: “I’ve been fighting for John for a year now and getting nowhere.

“The thing is that we were successful with another chap with Wigan council in identical circumstances.

“Given his years of service to his country why does he not qualify for help when he needs it? He simply doesn’t want to die in Germany.”

Mr Mayhew’s daughter, Linda Beasor, said: “The most annoying thing is that he still to this day pays income tax on his army pension.

“If the Government is taking that, where does his money go.”

A spokesman for Northampton Partnership Homes said: “Over the last few months we have been working with Mr Mayhew to see how we could support him with his wish to return to the UK. Unfortunately, although we are sympathetic to his situation, we are restricted by the law in what we can offer.

“He has followed the application process and at this time does not meet the criteria.

“We understand he is disappointed with the outcome and we are doing everything to see if there is any way we can help.”

A family-run veterinary group is warning pet owners in Northampton to be vigilant as the number of pets poisoned by slug pellets is set to increase this summer.

Every year, White Cross Vets, which has a practice within the Weston Favell Shopping Centre in Northampton, sees approximately 40 cases across its 14 practices.

Figures from the Vets Poison Information Service, a 24-hour emergency service for vets, reveal that over 1,700 cases of pesticide poisoning were reported in 2014.

Of these, 114 involved Metaldehyde, which is the toxic ingredient in slug pellets.

Nishi Jani, Clinical Director at White Cross Vets says: “The weather has been perfect for slugs recently – with both wet and sunny conditions - and the majority of people reach for the slug pellets as a matter of course at this time of year.

“Most are unfortunately unaware of the devastating consequences that slug pellets can have if their pet dog or cat eats them.”

Metaldehyde is used in most types of slug pellets, and even small amounts of the pellets can cause significant poisoning with severe signs of illness often occurring within an hour of consumption.

Warning signs of poisoning typically include incoordination, muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, twitching, tremors and convulsions.

Pets that have eaten slug pellets need to be seen by a vet urgently as rapid intervention can save their life.

A thug who said he spent three years more in prison than he should have done for battering a man has had his £50,000 human rights claim rejected.

John Wright, 32, of St Andrews Road, Northampton, was jailed in November 2007 for a brutal assault.

The victim was left with a fractured bone in his throat and needing a metal plate inserted into his jaw after the attack in Abington Street in 2006.

Wright was freed in 2013 after appeal judges ruled his sentence ‘unlawful’ - and sued the Lord Chancellor for an alleged violation of his human rights.

Yesterday, after taking three months to consider the case, Mrs Justice McGowan dismissed Wright’s damages bid at the High Court in London.

The court heard Wright’s sentence was deemed unlawful because it was longer than the maximum for GBH and affray.

He had been given eight-and-a-half years, comprising three-and-a-half in jail and five on extended licence in the community.

Although he was released, he breached his licence and was recalled to prison.

It was that which he said led to him serving longer in prison than he should have done.

At the trial, his lawyers argued that the fact that the sentence was unlawful meant it breached his right to liberty under Article 5 of the Human Rights Convention.

It was a ‘gross and exceptional’ error by the crown court judge, said barrister Rachit Buch.

Rejecting the claim, Mrs Justice McGowan said Wright’s remedy for the passing of the unlawful sentence was an appeal - which he got and won.

In addition, he had failed to even bring his appeal against sentence until years out of time.

“The appropriate remedy of an appeal to the Court of Appeal Criminal Division was available to him and should have been pursued within 28 days of the imposition of the original sentence,” she said.

“Even out of time, that court would have entertained and allowed the appeal, as it did on January 14, 2013.

“The mistake could have been remedied before the unlawful detention even began or at any point afterwards.

“Those representing him should have been aware of the extent to which the sentence imposed was outside the statutory power of the Crown Court.”

The judge said Wright had launched his claim too late to be allowed to proceed, but would have failed anyway.

A Flybe pilot who was sentenced for drowning his neighbour’s dog in a moment of madness last summer has been suspended from flying while his employers carry out a ‘full investigation’.

Stephen Woodhouse, 53, of Old Watling Street, Long Buckby, used a water butt in his garden to kill border terrier Meg on Saturday, July 26 last year.

The pet belonged to his next door neighbours the Boddingtons, who had bought Meg for their seriously ill daughter Lauren in 2007.

Tragically, Lauren passed away in 2008.

Corby Magistrates Court heard how Woodhouse claimed he had become fed up of the “yap, yap, yapping” of the terrier and drowned the pet because he “just had to stop the noise”.

Chief operating officer at Flybe, Luke Farajallah, said the company is ‘appalled’ by the actions of its employee.

He said: “Flybe is genuinely appalled at the nature of this situation and we would like to express our sincerest empathy to the family over the distressing loss of this special dog.

“We are taking this matter extremely seriously and can confirm that Captain Woodhouse is currently suspended pending a full investigation.”

The court heard on Wednesday how 53-year-old Woodhouse had suffered a heart attack in 2013 and had moved to Long Buckby for ‘recuperation’.

Shortly after he killed Meg, the court also heard how the pilot had driven around with the body in the boot of his car, intending to dispose of it.

He even carried out an overnight flight to the Isle of Man with the body still in the car before returning home.

However the court also heard how The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), following an assessment of Woodhouse, had deemed him fit to be able to return to his job as a pilot.

A CAA spokesman said in December: “In the event a licensed pilot is convicted of an offence, which is relevant to their ability or duties, we may conduct our own enquiry and ask for further details or evidence.

“In addition, further medical and health assessments may also be required.

“Where the health or character of an individual does not meet aviation safety standards, we may suspend or revoke a pilot’s licence or medical certificate.”

Northamptonshire-based hotel and conference centre, Highgate House has been recognised as a Trip Advisor Hall of Fame winner, after achieving a Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years.

The accolade aims to celebrate excellence in hospitality and is only given to establishments that have continually delivered a superior customer experience.

Some of the comments that contributed to the Certificate of Excellence include:

“I have stayed in many hotels over the years and can honestly say that the service at this hotel is up there with the best in the world. Every member of staff looked as though they loved their job and made me and my partner feel very welcome.”

“The staff at Highgate truly understand hospitality. Every single member of staff understands the meaning of looking after their guests.”

“This was my second visit and it was just as good as I remembered it. Staff were superb, always on hand and willing, everything carried out with a smile.”

Sundial Group’s managing director, Tim Chudley, said: “We are very proud to receive the Certificate of Excellence for the fifth year in a row.

“The award is testament to the dedication of our team at Highgate House who always strive to deliver an excellent customer experience. We’d like to thank all of our customers for taking the time to comment so positively on their stay.”

High-handicapper Scott Dickens carded the leading round in the May Eclectic Medal at Kingsthorpe as he shot a brilliant net 66.

Top division pacesetter Jamie Smeathers (66) finished runner-up on countback from Andrew Lay and Harry Barrett.

Cold Ashby

Mark North’s game is moving in the right direction following his victory in the May White Tee Stableford after he smashed a brilliant winning score of 44 points.

The 14-handicapper carded two net eagles and half a dozen net birdies to triumph by five from Geoff Newman.

Phillip Smith clinched the May Midweek Medal by one with a net 71, Sally Lawrenson (73) won the Ladies May Medal, while Steve Walpole (33 points) picked up the Rabbits Cup.

Staverton

Josh Dennison added the May Midweek Medal crown to the April Weekend Medal title after shooting the best score of net 70.

Karl Fisher (71) finished runner-up by a single stroke from Gary Emmerson and Peter Groves.

Paul Hammond and Oliver Braker have been crowned Winter League champions after holding off the challenge of Russell Brown and Bart Pomerleau 3&1 in the final.

Overstone Park

Alan McNeil scored on every hole in the May Midweek White Tee Stableford as he saw his handicap reduced from 17 to 15 after bagging 41 points.

Top section leader Mark Wheeler (38) is another man in magnificent form after the former club captain won his fifth divisional title in the last eight comps with a countback success from Richard Kearney.

Farthingstone

Graham Goode was successful in the Wilf Trophy after posting a round of net 67.

Top division winner Sam Bird and Chris Aworth finished one shot off the lead.

Countback was needed in the Seniors Chairmans Cup after three players came in with the best mark of 36 points. Stephen Stein grabbed the verdict from Michael Johnson and Peter Adams.

Hellidon Lakes

Ben French was in excellent form towards the start of both rounds in the MML Masters as he claimed a two stroke victory with a 36-hole net total of 145.

French, who saw his handicap drop from six to five, carded five birdies in the opening 12 holes, before shooting three birdies in the first six holes during the second round to beat Andrew Thornton.

Northampton

James Clarke’s slightly more consistent back nine made the difference in the Summer Series Stableford as he beat Colin McGregor on countback with 38 points.

David George (37) was third.

Delapre

A birdie from Alan Jones on the 18th hole proved decisive in the Brophy Trophy Pairs as he combined with Philip Twiselton to clinch a countback victory from Tony Vella and Gary Wray (45 points).

Janet Reed picked up the Trout Trophy after winning the ladies nine-hole competition by three points.

Collingtree

Don Parker successfully kept his ball out of the water during the Seniors Lorwood Trophy as the 13-handicapper triumphed with a net 68.

The runners-up prize went to Stuart Jones (69) by three from Keith Faulkner.

Whittlebury

One point was the margin of victory in the latest 9 O’Clock Club Competition for Barrie Vearncombe as he collected the West Park Trophy ahead of Malcolm Burgess.

Third spot went to Ted Wood (36).

Cherwell Edge

Richard Hooper dropped just three strokes in the last half a dozen holes on his way to a winning score of net 68 in the Seniors May Medal.

David Allen (72) took second place.

Daventry

Paul Read claimed a gross and net double in the Summer 2 Competition after the five-handicapper bagged a couple of birdies in a winning round of net 68. Martin James (69) was next.

Collingtree Park made short work of the challenge from Cherwell Edge romping to a 27-2 victory to preserve their 100 per cent record in the Handicap League Group A.

The performance of the day came from Josh Sampson and Stuart Maddison (Collingtree) who won the fourth game by a stunning 12 holes.

Cherwell bounced back from their disappointing thrashing to beat Kingsthorpe comprehensively 24 hours later.

The home side got off to a steady start as they won the first three games to open up a 7-0 lead.

Adam Witherall and Robbie Turvey put in a fantastic winning performance (six holes), but that was bettered by Santi Perez and Matthew Brown, who destroyed their opponents in the fifth game by nine holes.

There was a slight consolation for Kingsthorpe as they won the final game by three holes.

Brampton Heath had few problems brushing aside Silverstone at home as they completed a 27-1 victory a few days earlier.

Although Matt Bishop and Charlie Crowe grabbed a narrow away success in the opening tie, the result rarely looked in doubt as Brampton recorded a series of convincing wins.

Barry Kelly and Paul Taylor (six holes) impressed in the third game, but the stars of the show were Michael Burrows and Gary McAllister as they finished 10 holes up in their game.

Group B

Hellidon Lakes put Farthingstone to the sword in their home match as they dominated from start to finish to emerge 29-0 winners.

Craig Cotterill and Paul Upfield set the tone with an eight hole success in the opening tie, while Len Edwards and Ashley Starbuck were even more impressive as they cantered to a nine hole victory.

Farthingstone went into the match in confident mood after becoming the third team in this section to record an away victory this season as they grabbed a battling 9-3 win at Daventry.

John Whittaker and Ian Bell (two holes) and Jonathan Redley and Adam Smith (two hole) got the visitors off to a solid start, only for Neil Carr and Lenny Newell to cut the deficit to just one. That was as close as Daventry managed to get however as Andrew Grigor and Anthony Marriott (three holes) restored Farthingstone’s lead, before the away side took the final two games by a single hole.

Group C

Rushden made the perfect response to last week’s home defeat to Cold Ashby by producing a comeback victory at Peterborough Milton.

The home side appeared in command early on as Andrew Wilkinson and Ian Smith won the opening tie by two holes, Bob Bellamy and Neil Smith secured a four hole victory in the next match, before the third game was halved.

Glyn Harry and Kane Attley’s five hole success for Rushden in game four turned the match on its head however as David Patrick and Stuart Carvell (two holes) then put the visitors in the lead for the first time.

It was left to Martin Eaton and Renny Wadsworth to wrap up an excellent 9-6 away win as they beat Ryan Slater and Paul Pateman by a couple of holes in the closing tie.

Group D

Northants County made it two wins in two outings this season as they came from behind to beat Kettering 10-4 on their own course.

The hosts looked in control early on as Mark Hastie and Marcel Aarts won by two holes, Richard Grove and Alan Moreland extended the advantage by one, before Graham Swinfen and Craig Abbott edged Kettering into a 4-0 lead. County pulled level with a four hole victory in the next game, before going on to secure all the plaudits with a couple of three hole wins in the final matches.

Overstone Park’s strong tail made the difference in their home contest with Priors Hall as they recorded a 10-1 home victory. The match looked evenly poised at the half way stage as the visitors won the opening tie by a single hole, bagged a half in the next before going down by one in the third game.

Matt Wake and Tom Nickleson gave Overstone the lead with a five hole success, the fifth tie was halved, before home duo Alan McNeil and Sean McGrae made sure of the win by clinching the last game by four.

Priors Hall’s search for their first victory came to nothing as they went down 16-6 at home to Northampton.

Although Paul Briggs and Michael Jaffray were in good form for the Corby club, Duncan Foster and Lee Van Hoof (five holes) were one of four Northampton pairings to secure wins as the away team collected their victory.

Hollingsworth Trophy

Group B

Northampton made it three wins out of three as they secured a convincing 4-1 triumph at home against Oundle.

Lewis White and Drew Russell (4&3), David Goldman and Darren Gould (6&5), Ross Skidmore and Lawrence Ryan (4&2) and Lloyd Skidmore and Dean Roberts (8&6) grabbed the points.

Northants County kept alive their chances of progressing into the last four as they emerged victorious away to Overstone by the scoreline 4-1.

Thomas Barlow and James Dunkley got County off to a flying start as they won 4&2, before Overstone replied with a narrow victory from Andrew Harrison and Richard Dalton.

The away side’s tail proved too strong however as they clinched the last three points, including an excellent 5&4 win for Paul Harris and Paul Stones.

MGU

Former Northants strokeplay champion Miles Mudge (Staverton) was the highest placed county player in the Midlands Closed Championship as he finished 12th with a score of 78 at The Nottinghamshire.

Northants Seniors

Northants Seniors team began the defence of their Anglian League and Midland League East titles in style with a double success against Cambridgeshire at Cold Ashby.

On a windy and difficult day for scoring, the county coped admirably in the afternoon singles as a 10-man side recorded a 9-6 win in the Anglian League.

With a dozen players competing in the Midland League East match, additional points from debutante Ian Smith and Howard May, who was returning from a season long injury in 2014, helped secure a 12-6 victory.

Ladies County Championship

Mary MacLaren won the Ladies County Championships for the first time after beating Wellingborough club-mate Gill Snelson 2&1 in the final on their home course.

After coming through 36 holes of strokeplay qualifying on Friday with the best score of 161, MacLaren defeated Northants County’s Lorraine Gilder in the 
quarters the following morning.

The Irish seniors international, who is the mother of top British amateur Meghan, reached her debut final in the event with a victory against Rachael Smith (Northants County) in the afternoon. Snelson booked her final spot after edging past team-mate Carol Gibbs on the fourth extra hole in a thrilling last eight game, before getting the better of Roseanne Youngman (Kingsthorpe) in the next round.

Youngman had earlier knocked out defending champion Karen Lobb (Northants County) on the 18th hole.

In the Swannell Salver, which is contested by the players who finish between ninth and 16th in qualifying, Gillian Curley (Northants County) beat Alison Irvine (Northampton) in the 
final.

Northants men opened their Midland Counties Championship campaign with an impressive 136-104 win over Derbyshire at Long Eaton BC.

The win means the County collect 18 points, with Derbyshire claiming just four. It was an excellent performance from Northants, who overcame a sluggish start that saw them behind after five ends to win comfortably.

There were four very good winning rinks for Northants, with the highest scoring one being the one skipped by team manager Vernon Gearey, which had a 14-shot advantage.

The other three winning rinks all won by 11 shots and were skipped by Jamie Walker, Darren Childs and Roger Tansley.

Rink scores, Derbyshire skips’ names only

Rink 1: Tony O’Leary, Jonathan Brown, Chris Bland & Jim McKee 15 D Allsopp 25

Rink 2: Iain Walker, Peter Ward, Matt Pownall & John Haines 21 – J Arnett 26

Rink 3: Dave Love, David Walker, Alan Ashby & Jamie Walker 21 – P Wilkinson 10

Rink 4: Rob White, Connor Cinato, Andrew Manton & Vernon Gearey 26 – M Allsopp 12

Rink 5: Callum Height, Martin Cinato, Martin Gearey & Darren Childs 26 – D Smith 15

Rink 6: Adam Brown, Daniel Height, Richard Lemon & Roger Tansley 27 – P Broughton 16

The following players have been selected to represent Jackson Grundy Bowls Northamptonshire in their Midland Counties match against Lincolnshire at Grantham BC on May 24 (2pm).

Abington BC: Adam Brown, Jonathan Brown, John Freeman, Tony O’Leary

Desborough Town BC: David Flippance, John Haines

Kettering Midland Band BC: Connor Cinato, Martin Cinato (Reserve)

Kingsthorpe BC: Jason Bryan, Darren Childs, Martin Gearey, Vernon Gearey, Andrew Manton, Jim McKee, Roger Tansley

Northampton Express BC: Chris Bland

Northampton West End BC: Alan Ashby, Iain Walker, David Walker, William Walker

Rushden Town BC: Matt Cattell, Nathan Betts (Reserve), Adam Pitfield (Reserve)

Thrapston BC: Daniel Height, Keith Height, Matt Pownall

Wellingborough BC: David Love

Oxfordshire too strong in friendly

Northants men were beaten 124-106 by Oxfordshire in a friendly at Bicester BC.

Both teams won three rinks apiece, but the 35-10 defeat suffered by the rink skipped by John Church proved to be the difference.

The highest scoring County rink was that skipped by Paul Green with an advantage of 18 shots.

Rink scores, Oxon skips only

Rink 1: Dave Jones, Geoff Simmons, Dave Williamson & Michael Moulton 16 – Jim Lucas 14

Rink 2: William McGinn, Ken Court, Neville Bodily & Geoff Hayter 24 – Alan Ley 13

Rink 3: Don Scott, Brian Fairbairn, Brian Jones & George Willmott 14 – Ian Whelpton 27

Rink 4: Dave Francis, Steve Munton, Peter Hoad, Paul Green 28 – Harry Williams 10

Rink 5: Paul Cooke, John Chester, Robin Frost & Richard Somerton 14 – Melvin Brain 25

Rink 6: Peter Court, Brian Hunt, Terry Gallagher & John Church 10 – Allan Hall 35

Northants Men’s Under-25s’ White Rose Trophy match against Suffolk has been cancelled, with Suffolk conceding the tie as they are unable to raise a team.

Northants Men have announced their team for the Balcomb Trophy double rink Inter County competition match against Hertfordshire on May 24 at Royston BC (10.30am).

Rink 1: Callum Height,Thrapston/ Roger Tansley, Kingsthorpe/Alan Ashby, Northampton West End/Paul Broderick, Wellingborough

Rink 2: David Love, Wellingborough/Andrew Manton, Kingsthorpe/ Vernon Gearey, Kingsthorpe/Darren Childs, Kingsthorpe

Travelling Reserves: Connor Cinato, Kettering Midland Band & Tony O’Leary, Abington

Bishop’s big win not enough for County

Northants Women suffered a disappointing 142-120 Middle England League defeat to Warwickshire at Wolvey BC.

The County had two good winning rinks, but lost on four. The highest scoring rink for the County was that skipped by Brenda Bishop with a 12-shot advantage.

Rink scores, Warwickshire skips only

Rink 1: Velda Cooper, Elaine Urquhart, Heather lack & Jeannie Flippance 21 – M Parsons 17

Rink 2: Alison Dring, Pam Page, Pat Bodily & Brenda Bishop 31 – J Corn 19

Rink 3: Joyce George, Phyll Parry, Jill Welch & Anita Petrucci 21 – M Edwards 29

Rink 4: Chris Cooper, Debbie Cox, Rhona Holland & Val Betts 17 – E Chedgzoy 19

Rink 5: Margaret Cave, Trish Basford, Wilma Walker & Margaret McGillivray 16 – M Tims 26

Rink 6: Maggie Edwards, Sandy Hayter, Nancy Tebbutt & Barbara Haseldine 14 – J Scott 32

Heavy losses lead to Middle England defeat

Northants Women suffered a nail-biting 111-110 Middle England League defeat to Cambridgeshire at Roade BC.

The match was played in appalling conditions of wind and rain.

The County actually won more rinks than Cambridgeshire, taking four wins to two losses, with the highest scoring rink being that skipped by Val Betts which had a 13-shot advantage.

The two losing rinks suffered heavy defeats, with Jeannie Flippance’s rink losing 27-14 and Barbara Haseldine’s lost 29-12.

Rink scores, Cambs skips names only

Rink 1: Linda Warren, Sandra Mawson, Margaret McGillivray & Val Betts 21 – V Hughes 8

Rink 2: Pat Bodily, Julie Spreadbury, Jill Welch & Jan Bradley 27 – C Locking 17

Rink 3: Alison Dring, Rhona Holland, Yvonne McKee & Brenda Bishop 17 - P Mead 15

Rink 4: Maggie Edwards, Annie Macavoy, Michelle Harris & Sharon Tansley 19 – S Richie 15

Rink 5: Trish Basford, Denise Carlin, Di Brumwell & Jeannie Flippance 14 – P Ayres 27

Rink 6: Chris Cooper, Doreen Bedford, Hilary Sharpe & Barbara Haseldine 12 – S Alexander 29

Northants Women have selected the following squad for a friendly against Worcestershire on May 27 at Harpole BC (1.30pm).

Rink 1: Brenice Willmott, Irchester/Julie Spreadbury, Heyford/Pat Bodily, Northampton Whyte Melville/Nancy Tebbutt, Thrapston

Rink 2: Jan Hunt, Swanspool, Phyll Parry, Wellingborough/Eleanor Winters, Corby Forest/Di Brumwell, Kingsthorpe

Rink 3: Celia Morris, Kingsthorpe/Janet Riome, Harpole/Yvonne McKee, Kingsthorpe/Joyce Porter, Abbey Park

Rink 4: Linda Warren, Abbey Park/Margaret Tyler, Burton Latimer Town/Pat Mattinson, Thrapston/Sharon Tansley, Kingsthorpe

Rink 5: Margaret Cave, Rushden Town/Pam Sallaway, Rushden Town/Heather Lack, Burton Latimer Town/Anita Petruccfi, Abington

Rink 6: Joyce George, Wellingborough/Velda Cooper, Irchester/Wilma Walker, Corby Forest/Pat Gayton, Swanspool

Travelling Reserves: Brenda Bishop, Kingsthorpe/Joan Bryan, Burton Latimer Town/Mary Muir, Thrapston

Non-travelling Reserve: Elaine Urquhart. Brackley

Northants VPs edge past Lincolnshire

Northants Vice Presidents Bowling Association enjoyed a thrilling six-shot 103-97 win over Lincolnshire VPs at Spalding BC.

Northants won three rinks, two were drawn and one lost. The highest-scoring rink was that skipped by VP chairman Colin Incles, which had a 12-shot advantage.

Rink scores, Lincs skips only

Rink 1: Albert Julyan, Len Marshall, Barry Basford & Bob Jones 16 – Roger Turnbull 16

Rink 2: Len Smith, Jim Walvin, Richard Pitts & Fred Bosworth 19 – Don Churchman 19

Rink 3: Brian Robbins, Derek Essam, Barry Adair & Colin Incles 23 – Paul Ward 11

Rink 4: Graham Cashmore, Peter Byworth, Barry Knibbs & Dave Williamson 15 – Keith Paley 13

Rink 5: Ollie Pearson, Charles Longstaff, Brian Bailey & Dick Howell 17 – Walter Windsor 16

Rink 6: Stuart Lowe, Graham Dunscombe, Mick Griffin & Dick Lovesey 13 – Bill 
Patterson 22

Players wanted for youth tournaments

Players under the age of 18 are being invited to enter the outdoor competitions being organised by Northamptonshire Bowls Youth Development Scheme for clubs affiliated in the county.

There are three separate competitions, with them being the Under 15 Singles, 15-18 years Singles, and Under 18 Pairs

All competitions are open to both genders, and the relevant age restriction is dependent upon the players age on May 1, 2015.

The pairs has a requirement that the joint aged of the two players does not exceed 33 years.

The finals will be played in conjunction with the men’s and mixed County Finals at Irchester BC on Sunday, August 31. Closing date for entries is Sunday, May 31.

Any difficulties in obtaining entry forms, please contact the NBYDS coordinator, John Chester, on shotwood@sky.com

Here’s a round up of all the NCL results from last weekend, Saturday, May 16, plus all this weekend’s fixtures.

Premier Division

Brixworth 149 all out (Will Thomas 40, Tom Heathfield 4-36, Rob White 3-38) lost to Old Northamptonians 151-6 (Zaakir Husnain Khawaja 55no) by 4 wkts

Oundle Town 132 all out (Richard Cunningham 64, Will Sneath 4-36, Primesh Patel 3-19) lost to Finedon Dolben 137-3 (David Murphy 54no, Shane Devoy 47no) by 7 wkts

Horton House 64 all out lost to Rushden Town 65-1 by 9 wkts

Rushton 134 all out beat Northampton Saints 108 all out by 26 runs

Peterborough Town 242-8 (David Clarke 88, Asim Butt 69, Joe Dawborn 39no, Alex Strong 4-75, Kamran Anwar 4-53) beat Stony Stratford 99 all out (Ben Duckett 32, Joe Dawborn 4-14, Paul McMahon 3-17) by 143 runs

Wollaston 216-5 (Nicholas Mosey 61, Lewis Bates 30no, Tom Howes 41) drew with Geddington 176-8 (Chris Murdoch 40, Mark Neave 38, Connor McAlinden 47, Steve Musgrave 4-40)

Division One

Isham 259-9 (Simon Court 42, Elliott James 52, George Chudley 32, Ellery White 40, Simon West 3-45) beat Desborough Town 215 all out (Jason Marshall 48, Wayne Steed 71, Jake Wilson 4-56, Andrew Law 3-46) by 44 runs

East Haddon 70 all out (Ryan Awbery 3-9, Sam Owen 3-7) lost to Wellingborough Town 74-0 (James Howes 41no) by 10 wkts

Weekley & Warkton 157 all out (Tom Ablitt 56, James Colson 30, Craig Ferguson 37, Jack Carroll 4-29, Ben Parker 5-37) lost to Finedon Dolben IIs 160-9 (Jake Kings 54, Jack Parker 30, Dave Walklate 3-43, James Smith 4-28) by 1 wkts

Loddington & Mawsley 222 all out (James Coles 70, Josh Plowright 51, Callum Plowright 31no, Simon Marriott 6-52) lost to Old Wellingburians 223-7 (Matthew Ingram 52, Richard Denton 47no, Simon Denton 48, Ravi Shastri 34, Nicholas Herbert 3-75) by 3 wkts

Wellingborough Indians 138 all out (Pritam Patel 58, Zed Babar 4-21, Waqar Ali 4-42) lost to Old Northamptonians IIs 143-2 (Richard Ingman 40, Daniel Hill 61no) by 8 wkts

Burton Latimer 163 all out (Luke Odell 33, Aiden Cunningham 30, Amar Hussain 4-32, Richard Kendall 5-45) beat Peterborough Town IIs 97 all out (Damon Hanney 6-35) by 66 runs

Division Two

Brigstock 117 all out (Tom Cooke 5-42) beat Overstone Park 80 all out (Guy Sunter 50no, Tashwin Lukas 6-30, Robert Pack 4-13) by 37 runs

Great Oakley 228-9 (Craig Perry 50, Ryan Bell 31, Darren Cullen 51, Joshua Whitehead 3-40, Neil Allen 5-51) beat Stony Stratford IIs 163 all out (Joel Coxon 32, Chris Swain 57, Chris Bell 4-28) by 65 runs

St Crispin & Ryelands 228-5 (Mark Richardson 110no, Devang Shah 3-82) drew with Horton House IIs 183-5 (Charlie Hill 44, William Knibbs 37, Jonathan Phipps 44, Chris Taylor 4-41)

Northampton Saints IIs 252-8 (Jack Mousley 76, Ryan Turner 34, Mohammad Shoaib Yaqub 87no, William Liptrot 5-65) drew with Rushden Town IIs 195-8 (Simon Fowler 35, Gareth Griffiths 70, Jack Mousley 3-40)

Rothwell Town 247-8 (James Chambers 115, Babar Khan 51, Suraj Dholakia 4-62) beat Kettering Town 83 all out (Dean Spreadbury 4-35, Adam Gasson 3-12) by 164 runs

Irthlingborough Town IIs 202-7 (Ashley Doggett 57, Terry Butt 32no, James Pamplin 4-34) beat Thrapston 164 all out (Paul Spicker 47, Mark Palmer 42, Ross Coles 4-32) by 38 runs

Division Three

Old Northamptonians IIIs 139 all out (Khush Makadia 33no, Greg Pearce 5-48) lost to Great Houghton 140-7 (Matthew Jackson 38, James Watson 51, David Heathfield 5-34) by 3 wkts

Oundle IIs 200 all out (Colin Ray 56, Jon Rose 4-39) lost to Old 201-2 (Drew Olsen 107no, Mark Bocking 34, Jamie Denny 46) by 8 wkts

S & L Corby 189-9 (Ryan Alderson 81, Ben Lawman 30, Jacob Gilder 4-47) beat Heyford 177-9 (James Edwards 50, Matthew Baker 41, Umer Abbasi 3-49, Chris Dunn 5-41) by 12 runs

Irchester IIs 76 all out (Dave Marlow 5-25) lost to Brixworth IIIs 80-5 (Alex Holmes 36) by 5 wkts

Earls Barton 112 all out (David Agostini 34, Adrian Flynn 3-26, Gary Reeve 3-46) lost to Long Buckby 113-1 Duncan Harris 48, Richard Bott 52no) by 9 wkts

Wellingborough Town IIs 133 all out (Daniel Austin 32, Hiten Mistry 39, Tony Walker 31, John Pike 4-33) lost to Wollaston IIs 137-2 (Marcus Shelton 70no) by 8 wkts

Division Four

Northampton Saints IIIs 178 all out (Syed Ali Naqi 76, Kristian Antonaccio 36, Brandon Holmes 3-34, Mark Pearson 3-29) lost to Geddington IIs 179-5 (Charlie Gingell 77, Lee Sutherland 42no) by 5 wkts

Raunds Town 174 all out (Lee Morgan 58, Billy Bates 34, Kieran Fowler 4-28, Craig Fowler 4-64) beat Poddington 93 all out (Adam Tee 42, Chris Lack 3-23) by 81 runs

West Haddon & Guilsborough 264-9 (Ryan Smith 102, Tom Whitehouse 85, Oliver Churchill-Coleman46no) beat Kempston Hammers 186 all out (Oliver Churchill-Coleman 6-55, Ryan Smith 4-49) by 78 runs

Bowden 205 all out (Anthony Paton 147no, Adam Massey 3-44) lost to St Crispin & Ryelands IIs 206-3 (Thomas Robotham 108, Ashok Dave 46) by 7 wkts

Weldon 223-7 (Thomas Chenery 36, Matthew Hay 105no) winning draw versus Wicken 157-5 (Stephen Ratcliffe 47, Jonathan 4-29)

Wellingborough OGs 154 all out (Andrew Brierly 38, Tom Pace 41) lost to Grendon & Prims 155-7 (Steve Hanwell 36, Bob Anderson 55no) by 3 wkts

Division Five

Burton Latimer IIs 180 all out (Stuart Bonthuys 4-36, Casey Cooper 4-68) lost to Badby 183-8 by 2 wkts

Rushton IIs 253-7 (Afaq Babar 67, Dean Joy 48, Ryan Lingley 46, Calum Marlow 3-46) beat Kettering Town IIs 201 all out (Harjit Kang 42, Rob Starsmore 53, Naresh Bains 38no, Ben Williamson 3-50, Gary Callaghan 4-28) by 52 runs

Rothwell Town IIs 115 all out (Rick Spreadbury 60, Rahul Popat-Junior 7-32) lost to Overstone Park IIs 116-4 (Daniel Bird 51) by 6 wkts

Wellingborough Indians IIs 154 all out (Sanjay Patel 58no, Andrew Ellemore 4-45, Neil Fewtrell 3-25) lost to Stony Stratford IIIs 156-3 (Andy Preston 36, Simon Chapman 51, Andrew Ellemore 41no) by 7 wkts

Yelvertoft 180-7 (John Eccles 68, James Burnett 55, Andy Roberst 4018) lost to Finedon Dolben IIIs 181-1 (Simon Brett 96no, Ashley Campden 48no) by nine wickets

Division Six

Carrib United 117 all out (Alex O’Grady 3-47, Marc Bliss 3-25, Gary Bliss 3-18) lost to Obelisk 189 all out (Gary Bliss 71no, Abid Zia 3-51, Jasim Mohammed 4-64)by 72 runs

Irthlingborough Town 169 all out (Nick Lester 5-43) lost to Cogenhoe 174-3 (Gareth Goddard 32, Daniel McLaughlin 84) by 7 wkts

Isham IIs 184-9 (Tony Robinson 74, Will Griffiths5-54, Chris Stoker 3-34) winning draw versus Thrapston IIs 155-7 (Les Thurbon 45no, Andy Stoker 41)

Weekley & Warkton IIs 267-8 (Matt Prested 52, Dean Henderson 40, Andrew Bussey 45no, Martin Wall 4-73, Daniel Blatch 3-49) beat Bold Dragoon 162 all out (Daniel Blatch 40, Daniel O’Dell 60, Mark Holliday 43, Jack Issitt 3-47) by 105 runs

Division Seven

Loddington & Mawsley IIs 182 all out (Mitchell Patel 30, Ranjit Nanda 49, Peter Brooks 3-32) lost to Earls Barton IIs 186-1 (David Howe 39, Neville Smart 79no, Suphil Philipose 56no) by 9 wkts

Old Northamptonians IVs 172 all out (Andy Edmonds 31, George Edmonds 30, Harry Penberthy 62no) lost to Great Oakley IIs 173-6 (Nathan Vesey 63no, John Pratt 48) by 4 wkts

Podington IIs 143-9 (Ian Hart 59, Waqas Mehmood 3-41) lost to Harlestone 147-8 (John Marshall 53, Matt Harrison 33, Joshua Ozier 3-41, Ian Hart 3-31) by 4 runs

S& L Corby IIs 141 all out (Mark Harrison 62, Jacob Draper 5-23, Jon Gibson 4-31) lost to East Haddon IIs 143-2 (Steve Kilsby 60no, James Redding 59) by 8 wkts

Division Eight

Kempston Hammers IIs 256-4 (Abhishek Sabharwal 70, Leon Harvey 121, Colin Stubbs 41no) beat St Michael’s 93 all out (Leon Harvey 3-24, Colin Stubbs 4-13) by 163 runs

Raunds Town IIs 140 all out (Paul Kimpton 61) beat Northampton Saints IVs 136 all out (Mansoor Quereshi 32) by 4 wkts

West Haddon & Guilsborough IIs 94 all out (Tom Bradshaw 47, Clive Farrar 3-13) lost to Wellingborough Town 95-0 (Lewis Hillman 43no, Owen Morris 45no) by 10 wkts

Division Nine

Bowden IIs 117 all out (Thomas Reeve 37, Jonathan Croker 7-42) lost to Brigstock IIs 118-3 (Simon Goodson 60no) by 7 wkts

Bugbrooke 123 all out (Billal Bashir 46no, Steve Adams 4-21) lost to St Crispin & Ryelands IIIs 127-9 (Ciaran Thomas 3-37) by 1 wkts

Horton House IIIs 124 all out (Ian Street 33, Mark Bolar 5-24) lost to Wellingborough OGs IIs 125-4 (Connor White 38, Richard Hirst 43) by 6 wkts

Overstone Park IIIs 177 all out (Ben Simson 75, Daniel Webb 49, Peter Incley 5-21) beat Long Buckby IIs 73 all out (Daniel Webb 5-26) by 104 runs

St Michael’s 180 all out (Dave Tebbutt 38, Graeme Ahearn 30, Brian Maycock 3-50, Jordan Everitt 3-56, George Green 3-9) beat Irchester IIs 104 all out (Tom Marlow 3-23) by 76 runs

Division 10

Abington 180 all out (Gareth Edlington 57, David Hughes 4-33) lost to Brixworth IIIs 182-4 (Keith Vince 63, Oliver Timm 40no) by 6 wkts

Heyford IIs 174-8 (Adam Linnell 44, Tony Bird 3-33) beat Cogenhoe IIs 132 all out (Jason Roberts 43) by 42 runs

Old Wellingburians IIs 88 all out (Thomas Ray 4-14, Faisal Iqbal 3-17) beat Little Harrowden 75 all out (Dharmesh Patel 4-16) by 13 runs

Rushden Town IIIs 143 all out (Tom Firm 67, Jack Pickering 4-10) lost to Gumley 145-3 (Ben Wilkinson 51, Dennis Pickering 52) by 7 wkts

Kettering Town IIIs 168 all out (Dale Munn 80, Lewis North-Row 3-36, David Ward 3-44) lost to Wollaston IIIs 169-9 (Lewis North-Row 58, Gareth Taylor 6-45) by 1 wkt

Division 11

Weldon IIs 232-6 (William Hay 64no, Steve Milson 49) beat Geddington IIIs 179 all out (Mark Thomas 30, Paul Rowden 57, Steve Milson 3-51) by 53 runs

Harlestone IIs 85 all out (Ben Mellor 6-17) lost to Hardingstone 283-7 (Ian Roberts 61no, Harry Rowe 57, Simon Chapman 35) by 198 runs

Higham Ferrers Town IIs 118 all out (Mark Linnitt 34, Stephen Dexter 4-24, John Terry 5-3) lost to Burton Latimer IIIs 122-6 (Santu Choudhury 42, Kevin Field 4-31) by 4 wkts

Mears Ashby IIs 204-6 beat Weekley & Warkton IIIs 201-9 by 3 runs

Wicken IIs 117 all out (Dave Butteriss 32, Chris Mcall 3-11) lost to Great Houghton IIs 118-3 (Robert Hart 52, Hitesh Gorania 30no) by 7 wkts

Division 12

Finedon Dolben IVs 272-6 (Alex Pearson 40, Nathan Clarke 31, Nick Coles 97no, Sanjay Patel 81, Nigel Reeve 4-44) beat Kislingbury Temperance IIs 123 all out (Ben Cooper 33, Alex Hawkes 5-20) by 4 wkts

Grendon & Prims IIs 201 all out (Brian Hutchings 42, Peter Dunkley 50, Nick Colbourn 36, Nick Walker 5-23) lost to Horton House IVs205-6 (Alex Walker 91, Thomas Kilby 31) by 4 wkts

Obelisk IIs 164 all out (Brian Robinson 65, Darren Shelford 3-26, Guy Schanschieff 3-34) beat Overstone Park IVs 54 all out (Michael Fairey 32, Ben Allen 7-7, Robert Kennedy 3-37) by 110 runs

S & L Corby IIIs 239-7 (Mick Pearce 49, Kieran Lawman 45, David Owens 43no) beat Old Northamptonians Vs 84 all out (Jack Connelly 3-18) by 155 runs

St Crispin & Ryelands IVs 143-4 (Paul Haskins 36, Pete Smith 59no) beat Thrapston IIs 86 all out (Phillip Graham 3-11, Ben Harris 3-19) by 57 runs

Division 13

Bold Dragoon IIs beat Weekley & Warkton IVs by 10 wkts

Wellingborough OGs IIIs 159 all out (David Murray 56, Tony Coles 39, Ian Russell 3-51) lost to Kettering Town IVs 163-6 (Graham Smart 87, James Bambridge 33no, Amit Ganatra 3-39)by 4 wkts

St Michael’s IIs 61 all out (Alex Culverhouse 3-17, Timothy Keeber 5-8) lost to Old IIIs 63-3 by 7 wkts

Bugbrooke IIs 188 all out (Chris Lamb 30, Wayne Chalmers 62, Paolo Cannarella 4-29) lost to Sun Hardingstone IIs 189-4 (Jack Larkin 45, Paul Larkin 63no, Max Murrell 3-38) by 6 wkts

Rushden & Dean Academy 260-6 (Zach Ives 57, Joel Ives 55, Aidan Payne 31no) beatBarton Seagrave IIs 171 all out (Hitesh Vadher 57, Thomas Moffatt 4-39, Russell Eady 3-20)

Division 14

Irthlingborough Town 102 all out (Josh Day 4-29) lost to Grange Park 103-2 (Justin Benedetti 44no) by 8 wkts

Brixworth 78 all out (John Smorfitt 33, Viral Shah 3-18) beat Isham 75 all out (Will Haxby 5-7) by 3 runs

Stony Stratford verus Great Oakley was cancelled

FIXTURES

Premier Division: Finedon Dolben v Brixworth, Geddington v Oundle, Horton House v Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians v Stony Stratford, Peterborough v Rushden, Wollaston v Rushton.

Division One: Burton Latimer v Old Northamptonians IIs , Isham v Weekley & Warkton, Loddington v Finedon Dolben IIs, Old Wellingburians v East Haddon, Wellingborough Indians v Desborough, Wellingborough Town v Peterborough IIs.

Division Two: Irthlingborough v Rothwell, Kettering v Overstone Park, Northampton Saints IIs v Brigstock, Rushden IIs v Horton House IIs, St Crispin & Ryelands v Great Oakley, Stony Stratford IIs v Thrapston.

Division Three: Brixworth IIs v Old, Earls Barton v Heyford, Great Houghton v Wellingborough Town IIs, Old Northamptonians IIIs v Long Buckby, Oundle IIs v Wollaston IIs, S&L Corby v Irchester.

Division Four: Grendon & Prims v Weldon, Kempston v Raunds, Northampton Saints IIIs v Bowden, Old Grammarians v St Crispin & Ryelands IIs, Podington v Geddington IIs, Wicken v West Haddon & Guilsborough.

Division Five: Badby v Kislingbury, Higham Ferrers v Finedon Dolben IIIs, Overstone Park IIs v Yelvertoft, Rothwell IIs v Kettering IIs, Rushton IIs v Wellingborough Indians IIs, Stony Stratford IIIs v Burton Latimer IIs.

Division Six: Bold Dragoon v Isham IIs, Cogenhoe v Carrib United, Obelisk v Mears Ashby, Thrapston IIs v Irthlingborough IIs, Weekley & Warkton IIs v Gretton.

Division Seven: Ashby Timken v Old Northamptonians IVs, Desborough IIs v Earls Barton IIs, East Haddon IIs v Loddington IIs, Great Oakley IIs v Podington IIs, Harlestone v S&L Corby IIs.

Division Eight: Barton Seagrave v St Michaels 74, Old IIs v Kempston IIs, Oundle IIIs v Spencer Bruerne, Raunds IIs v Wellingborough Town IIIs.

Division Nine: Bowden IIs v Horton House IIIs, Brigstock IIs v St Michaels (N), Irchester IIs v Bugbrooke, Long Buckby IIs v Old Grammarians IIs, St Crispin & Ryelands IIIs v Overstone Park IIIs.

Division 10: Abington v Wollaston IIIs, Brixworth IIIs v Old Wellingburians IIs, Gumley v Little Harrowden, Heyford IIs v Rushden IIIs, Kettering IIIs v Cogenhoe IIs.

Division 11: Burton Latimer IIIs v Harlestone IIs, Hardingstone v Geddington IIIs, Mears Ashby IIs v Wicken IIs, Weekley & Warkton IIIs v Higham Ferrers IIs, Weldon IIs v Great Houghton IIs.

Division 12: Finedon Dolben IVs v Grendon & Prims IIs, Kislingbury IIs v Obelisk IIs, Old Northamptonians Vs v Horton House IVs, Overstone Park IVs v St Crispin & Ryelands IVs, Thrapston IIIs v S&L Corby IIIs.

Division 13: Bugbrooke IIs v Kettering IVs, Old IIIs v Barton Seagrave IIs, Old Grammarians IIIs v Weekley & Warkton IVs, Rushden & Dean Academy v Hardingstone IIs, St Michaels 74 IIs v Bold Dragoon IIs.

Division 14: Grange Park v Barby IIIs, Great Oakley IIIs v Stony Stratford IVs, Isham Zingari v Irthlingborough IIIs

Old Northamptonians skipper George Arblaster has warned his players that the hard work starts now after their slick start to the season.

ONs have won three of their opening four matches, with the failure to take the final wicket against Oundle the only blot on the copybook.

However, the fixtures have been kind to the Billing Road side, as they have so far avoided the league’s traditional title challengers.

And with the likes of Saints, Finedon Dolben and Peterborough to come next month, Arblaster knows his men must keep their good start going against Stony Stratford on Saturday.

“We’ve very much got our feet on the ground,” said the captain.

“We would be disappointed if we hadn’t had the kind of start we’ve had with the fixtures we were given.

“We’ve had a really good start and we should really have been four from four because we should have taken that final wicket against Oundle.

“I am pleased with the way we’ve begun but we know that the hard work will start now.”

ONs were four-wicket winners at Brixworth last weekend with 18-year-old bowler Tom Heathfield taking four for 36.

Arblaster has been pleased with the youngster and fellow teenage talent Dan Waite, who is 17 years old.

And the skipper said: “Tom bowled particularly well last weekend and he’s a really good player.

“He’s got a nice, easy bowling action and he swings it both ways.

“He’s got all the credentials and if he gets a bit stronger he will be a really important player for the club.

“Dan is another good bowler who hurries batsmen with his pace and it’s nice to have those lads in the team.”

ONs will have influential batsmen Richard Kaufman back in the side for this weekend’s home game against Stony Stratford.

“On his day Richard is one of the best bastmen in the league,” said Arblaster.

“It’s massive to have him back and we’re really looking forward to the game.

“Stony can always pull a result out of the bag and they’ve got a lot of good players so we can’t afford to take them lightly.”

Allen’s in seventh heaven at Obelisk

Having taken 29 wickets last season, Obelisk IIs ace Ben Allen is already more than halfway to that total this time round.

A stunning 15 wickets in three NCL Division 12 games is already making this a campaign to remember for the medium pace bowler.

Fresh from taking a stunning seven wickets for the loss of just four wickets in the second game of the season, against S&L Corby, Allen claimed seven for seven last Saturday.

That helped secure a convincing success against Overstone Park IVs, who were bowled out for just 54 in reply to Obelisk’s 164.

And the modest Allen said: “I’m bowling quite well. The team we played a couple of weeks ago were struggling for a side so I just focused on bowling at the stumps.

“It was all a little bit unexpected.

“Last week was more impressive because they’re a good side and we’ve lost to them in the past.”

At the age of just 25, Allen is an Obelisk stalwart.

He is now in his 10th season at the club and, so far, he can’t remember a better one.

“The past two weeks have been my best figures,” he said. “I hadn’t taken six wickets before a couple of weeks ago and now I’ve got seven in each of the past two weeks.

“I’m quite chuffed with it all to be honest.”

But Allen’s heroics are costing him dear in the club bar.

He explained: “You buy a jug of beer if you get five wickets so it’s cost me quite a bit over the past two weeks.

“But I don’t mind about that. I’m just glad that the team is winning.”

Obelisk have won two of their first three games, bouncing back from the 110-run opening-day defeat to Thrapston IIIs.

And Allen is desperate for his team to maintain their momentum as they bid to finish in one of three promotion places.

“We are hoping for promotion,” said the skipper. “The past few years we’ve been finishing around the bottom three and we’ve just not had the side we’d like.

“We’ve got a couple of new players in the first team so we’ve taken a couple of their fringe men, which has helped us.

“Hopefully we can challenge for the top three this season.”

And if Allen can keep his own hot streak going, Obelisk should have every chance.

However, is there a chance the second team could lose their star bowler to the firsts, who currently play in division six.

“I’m the second team captain and the first team is quite strong at the moment,” said Allen. “They’ve been promoted three years running and at the moment I’m staying where I am.

“If things carry on how they have been I could look to move up.

“I have played for the firsts quite a few times over the years and I know I can perform at that level.

“But we didn’t have many options for the second team captaincy last season and this is my second season now.”

This week’s topic is bad weather. There is a rule of thumb in professional cricket that the fewer paid punters left in the ground after long rain breaks, the more chance the umpires can call the game off, regardless of the playing conditions.

On day one of this week’s LV= Championship Division Two match with Surrey, there were just 10 people on the ground as stumps were pulled at 4pm on Monday after heavy morning rain.

I felt it was perfectly playable conditions in drying wind and sunshine, but it seems as there was no one around, then the attitude was ‘why not pack up?’

Apparently the umpires asked the two captains if they wanted to play in the conditions and they agreed not to.

To contrast that, on the previous Friday night, the umpires played on in grey, cold and dank conditions at a Durham ground without floodlights for the Twenty20 game as the Steelbacks slipped to a disappointing opening defeat to the Jets.

The light was not fair on the Steelbacks, and you would have thought it’s about time the ECB set a universal light limit across all formats to protect the guys and not allow seam bowlers in that Twenty20 gloom to keep bowling fast to get cheap wickets.

They also need to protect the fans from the clubs’ play in all conditions approach to stop refunds.

The hypocrisy is easy to see as the umpires refuse to allow play in championship games when the conditions are 10 times better than those murky one-day affairs.

What I’m trying to say that Health & Safety and fairness appears to have nothing to do with these decisions on play.

Okay, Northants would have probably lost at Durham anyway as the home side looked on for a big score, but at least make it playable umpires.

That run rate of -5.1 from the Durham match will be almost impossible to recover now.

Day two at Wantage Road and the showers decided to hold hands and try and wipe out another day, with what could have been an interesting glamour tie now a soggy mess, and no Kevin Pietersen in the vistors’ squad dampening things more.

I was looking forward to having a chat with him - I speak some Afrikaans!

One session was possible on day two as Northants battled the conditions to finish on 107 for two, Stephen Peters again scoring a half-century and clearly up for prolonging his playing career.

After The Times announced in an article last week thaat we have the worst scoreboard on the circuit, a new one that displayed Peters’ fourth half-century of the season has arrived, but there are already complaints.

The mostly elderly punters in the ground are unable to read it in the gloom - and in bright sunshine.

It appears to be a temporary structure powered by huge batteries with exposed electrics, and doesn’t display which bowlers have bowled what.

Day three and much better weather as the two captains agreed not to salvage the game as a batting-point draw was settled into and a full day’s play saw Northants being bowled out for 309.

Peters made an excellent boundary-packed 82, and Rob Newton dominated the middle innings with 95 before getting a decent ball, but at 213 for three and Adam Rossington hitting it crisply, no one else seemed prepared to play themselves in and an assortment of poor shots and gentle turn saw the home team fold just before tea.

You could see all of the intensity had gone from the game and it was pretty much played out like a friendly.

The flat home pitches and squad rotation is beginning to make some of the lads coast at home I feel.

So there was no KP in this match, but the world’s most prolific batsmen still playing was on the ground in Kumar Sangakkara, and he was 28 not out as Surrey closed the day on 155 for three.

On this pitch and with the weather set fair for the final day a hundred would be a formality if he was in the mood.

And he was indeed in the mood, the most perfunctory of centuries (111) to take his first-class ton total to 52, the second highest in the county championship right now to Marcus Trescothick’s 56.

Jason Roy also helped himself to a career-best 140 on yet another slab of concrete.

Gary Wilson declared the innings and shook hands on 499 for six declared with 74 not out and another tedious draw.

It looks to me like coach David Ripley targeted two batting draws against the ‘big two teams’ at Wantage Road on these lifeless strips, but it’s just boring to watch and proves very little - I reckon the United Arab Emirates could hold Australia in a Test match on these!

You can see the likes of David Willey and Mohamed Azharullah are visibly annoyed on having to bowl on these surfaces week in week out.

We may well be second in the table, but we are seeing the end of county cricket as we know it as the second division becomes increasingly expensive to subsidise for little return, and so more and more irrelevant to the ECB every year.

It’s annoying because we are putting ourselves behind the black ball and not the opposition.

A woman was racially abused in the car park of a Northamptonshire service station.

The woman, who was Asian, was at the Watford Gap services on the M1 when her vehicle was involved in a minor scrape with another car sometime between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Monday, May 18.

A man, who was not involved in the incident, then approached the woman shouting racial abuse.

He was white, aged between 50 and 60, about 5ft 10in, balding and plump.

After shouting at the woman, he got back into his grey Volkswagen and drove away.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Officers investigating an alleged assault in Kettering Road, Northampton, have asked any witnesses to come forward.

The attack happened at about 2pm on Sunday, May 17, close to the Costcutter store and saw a man push a woman to the floor.

The man was aged between 20 and 25, of medium build, with black hair.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Burglars stole a computer from a house in Briar Hill, Northampton, after throwing a brick through the kitchen window.

The property, in Thornhill, was broken into sometime between 10am and 5pm on Monday, May 18.

The laptop that was stolen was a relatively new, black Acer computer which was vitally important to the owner, police say, because it was “used to help overcome a medical condition”.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Saints have brought back the big guns for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final against Saracens at Franklin’s Gardens (kick-off 2pm).

Having rested a number of his key men at Leicester last weekend, Jim Mallinder has recalled the likes of Courtney Lawes, Samu Manoa and Stephen Myler to the starting 15.

Mallinder is only without Ben Foden (knee) and George North (concussion) who remain sidelined.

Lee Dickson gets the nod over Kahn Fotuali’i at scrum-half, while Ahsee Tuala continues to keep James Wilson out of the side at full-back.

Alex Corbisiero and Salesi Ma’afu win the battle to be Saints’ starting props, with Alex Waller and Gareth Denman on the bench.

Saints topped the regular-season table to set up a home game against Saracens, who edged into fourth with a thumping 68-17 win at London Welsh last weekend.

Chris Ashton, who scored four tries in that game, is dropped to the bench at Franklin’s Gardens, his former stomping ground.

Schalk Brits is also among the replacements, while the likes of Jim Hamilton and Charlie Hodgson also provide experienced back-up.

Saints: Tuala; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, Elliott; Myler, Dickson; Corbisiero, Hartley (c), Ma’afu; Lawes, Day; Wood, Clark, Manoa.

Replacements: Haywood, A Waller, Denman, Dickinson, Fisher, Fotuali’i, Stephenson, Wilson.

Saracens: Goode; Wyles, Taylor, Barritt, Strettle; Farrell, Wigglesworth; M Vunipola, George, Du Plessis; Kruis, Hargreaves (c); Itoje, Burger, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Brits, Barrington, Figallo, Hamilton, Wray, De Kock, Hodgson, Ashton.

Boss Chris Wilder knows his Cobblers team faces ‘tough competition’ to try and win promotion from Sky Bet League Two next season.

The make up of the division for next season is almost complete, with Burton, Shrewsbury, Bury, Cheltenham Town and Tranmere Rovers all gone, either up or down.

They are replaced by Barnet, Bristol Rovers, Notts County, Yeovil Town, Crawley Town and Leyton Orient.

The one issue still to be decided is who the fourth team is to go up, and that will be all sorted out on Saturday when Wycombe Wanderers take on Southend United in the play-off final at Wembley, with Wilder admitting he is keeping his fingers crossed for a win for Phil Brown’s side.

“You look at the other teams, and you think ‘they might be strong, and they might struggle’,” said the Cobblers boss.

“But then you look at Wycombe, who were almost down the season before and now are in the play-off final and 90 minutes away from getting up.

“I’m not disappointed that Shrewsbury, Burton and Bury have gone up, because they have got the best players in general, especially Shrewsbury and Bury.

“I would also like Southend to go up, because I think they are a strong club and have good players as well.

“Wycombe are local as well, so if they stayed down they are not a million miles away, and you are selfish on that front.

“But Bristol Rovers are going to be a big club, they will be tipped to go well again like Luton were, Barnet aren’t the biggest club but have just had a fantastic season, winning the league.

“Then coming down there are a couple there, such as Leyton Orient, and if they get it right they will be a threat, and it is a tough competition.

“So there are no guarantees, it is going to be a hard league, but we feel is we can make the necessary changes in recruitment and get the work done on the training ground, then people will look at us and think we are a threat.

“I think that’s reflected in the odds for the league, I think we are seventh or eighth in that and we would like to match that up.”

Fixture: Northampton Saints v Saracens (Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final)

Date/kick-off time: Saturday, May 23, 2pm

Venue: Franklin’s Gardens

Weather forecast: 16C, mostly cloudy

Referee: Greg Garner

Saints: Tuala; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, Elliott; Myler, Dickson; Corbisiero, Hartley (c), Ma’afu; Lawes, Day; Wood, Clark, Manoa.

Replacements: Haywood, A Waller, Denman, Dickinson, Fisher, Fotuali’i, Stephenson, Wilson.

Saracens: Goode; Wyles, Taylor, Barritt, Strettle; Farrell, Wigglesworth; M Vunipola, George, Du Plessis; Kruis, Hargreaves (c); Itoje, Burger, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Brits, Barrington, Figallo, Hamilton, Wray, De Kock, Hodgson, Ashton.

Outs: Saints: Ben Foden (knee), George North (concussion). Saracens: Will Fraser (back).

Most recent meeting: Saturday, April 25: Saints 25 Saracens 20 (Aviva Premiership)

Tom’s preview: In the Welford Road press room at the conclusion of last weekend’s game, some national journalists were left with a conundrum.

With the Aviva Premiership play-off semi-finals taking place on the same day - this Saturday - they needed to make a choice.

Would they head to Franklin’s Gardens to see Saints take on Saracens or would it be the other heavyweight fight, between Bath and Leicester at The Rec.

The general consensus was that Bath against Tigers may have more appeal.

Not because the teams are stronger, but because the tie was fresh.

Rarely do Tigers, who always make the play-offs, meet old foes Bath, an emerging force, at this stage of the season.

Whereas the other semi-final was between teams who are all too familiar with clashing in the end-of-season shoot-out.

Since they met in a play-off semi-final in 2010 - Saracens won 21-19 at Franklin’s Gardens - these two teams have been on a constant collision course.

Games against Sarries have been seminal for Saints, whose most agonising, and energising, moments have come against the Barnet-based team - and Leicester.

In the early days of the rivalry spawned by that game in 2010, when Saracens left the away dressing room door open when singing their victory song, the men in black prevailed.

They were a team Saints just could not shake off, proving as irksome as a wasp at a picnic.

Saracens simply would not be beaten by Jim Mallinder’s men in the big games, believing they would come through in the end.

But then, in 2013, the tide finally turned.

Saints, powered by the ‘Why not us?’ philosophy after taking criticism to heart in a campaign when they finished fourth, found the strength to slay Saracens at Allianz Park.

It was a huge power shift and gave Mallinder’s men, who were to lose in the infamous Twickenham final to Leicester, a real shot in the arm for future meetings.

They retained their self-confidence all the way through last season’s final, seeing off Saracens with an Alex Waller try in the dying seconds of extra-time.

And this season, they have beaten Mark McCall’s side twice in as many meetings, showing staying power once again to outlast their rivals at stadium:mk last month.

This weekend’s meeting will once again ask Saints to show how far they have come.

Not just since 2010, but since last season.

It was said the champions tag would weight heavy on their shoulders.

But instead it has inspired Mallinder’s men, who used the authority gained from their first title to top the regular-season standings this time round.

This time, it was Saracens who were sneaking into fourth.

But, that, as it did for Saints in 2013, will give them a freedom.

A desire to upset the odds.

Saints will need to ensure that doesn’t happen.

That familiarity continues to breed contempt for Saracens.

And if they can do that, a third successive Premiership final would be on the cards.

Tom’s prediction: Saints 18 Saracens 16