David Ripley insists there is no panic at Northants after two defeats in as many NatWest T20 Blast games.

The Steelbacks head into Friday night’s home game against Worcestershire Rapids (start 6.30pm) sitting bottom of the North Group.

A 41-run reverse at Durham Jets was followed by an agonising final-ball five-wicket defeat to Birmingham Bears at the County Ground last Friday.

But Ripley is refusing to worry, remaining hopeful his men will start to get in the groove during the 14-game group stage.

“It’s all about momentum, this competition,” said the head coach. “You’ve got to get momentum at the right time.

“Of course we’d rather have won our first two games, there’s no doubt about it. We’d like the points in the bank.

“But there’s still 12 games to go and if you get some momentum towards the end and you find your formula and get players in form, it’s very powerful going into the quarter-finals.

“We’ve very disappointed not to have won, but with 12 games to go there’s no panic.

“I still think we’ve got a good T20 side and come the end of the summer, we hope we’ve proved that to a few people.”

Environmental health officers have used emergency powers to close a takeaway after hygiene conditions were deemed so poor they could pose a public health risk.

Joe’s Traditional Fish & Chips on Cannon Street, Wellingborough, was closed on May 27 after a routine inspection by officers revealed hygiene conditions so poor it was felt they posed an imminent health risk to the public.

It will remain closed until conditions improve.

Two environmental health officers from Wellingborough Council visited the takeaway on May 27 and noted that some areas of the shop were dirty, with no hot water available for cleaning food preparation areas and equipment, or for adequate personal hygiene of employees.

They found unfit mouldy food stored in the fridge and numerous high risk food items which had been left out of temperature control since the previous evening.

There was also a potato peeling machine set up to operate in an external passageway with the pipework discharging into an open drain which had the cover removed.

The officers determined that these issues constituted an imminent health risk and served a hygiene emergency prohibition notice on the company Jay & Co (Midlands) Limited, to prevent use of the premises as a food business until the risk is removed.

The matter was heard in Northampton Magistrates Court on May 29, where it was agreed that there was an imminent health risk.

A court order was issued for the takeaway to remain closed until the council is satisfied there is no further risk to the public.

The court also awarded the council’s full costs of £735 incurred in the closure.

Environmental health officers will now continue to work with the business to ensure conditions are improved before reopening, to make sure there is no risk to public health.

Amanda Wilcox, health protection manager at Wellingborough Council, said: “Officers in the health protection team work informally with all local food businesses to make sure they know how to manage food safety.

“However, if we find conditions that we believe pose an imminent risk to public health, we won’t hesitate to take formal action to remove that risk.

“We only use these powers in exceptional circumstances, and we have to be able to demonstrate to a court that an imminent risk exists.

“In this case the court agreed with our actions and the premises will remain closed until we are satisfied it is safe for the public to eat there.”

There is an ongoing investigation taking place into the conditions witnessed on May 27.

The Daventry area is one of the 10 most unaffordable areas of the East Midlands to buy your first home.

Figures released today (Friday) by the National Housing Federation show in the Daventry district the average cost of a first home – £146,000 – is almost 10 times younger adults’ average salary at £14,815, giving a ratio of 9.9.

The figures make the district the 10th most unaffordable in the East Midlands for first time buyers.

Ahead of Daventry are areas including Charnwood in Leicestershire with a ratio of 10.2, in Rutland the average first time buyer can expect to pay 11.2 times their annual salary for their first home. But top of the list, making it the least affordable place in the region, is South Northamptonshire, where first homes cost 12.2 times salaries.

Across the region the research found that two thirds of all local authority areas in the East Midlands now have house prices that are over eight times the average wages for first time buyers.

The National Housing Federation claims decades of successive governments failing to build enough homes has led demand for homes to far exceed supply, driving up house prices and causing home ownership to fall to a 29 year low.

In a YouGov poll the National Housing Federation found 87 percent of 18 to 34 year olds say it is difficult for their generation to get on the housing ladder in Britain.

With demand for homes pushing prices up, average first-time buyers today need a £30,000 deposit, almost 10 times the deposit required in the early 1980s in real terms.

Kate Warburton, external affairs manager for the East Midlands at the National Housing Federation, said: “If the new Government doesn’t urgently address the chronic shortage of housing, young people and families will continue to be locked out of ever owning a home in future.

“Younger people in the East Midlands, especially those whose parents can’t help financially, can find themselves stuck living in their childhood bedrooms or paying high private rents that make it almost impossible to find a home that is genuinely affordable.

“That’s why the National Housing Federation is backing the Homes for Britain campaign, calling on the new government to publish a long term plan to end the housing crisis, which addresses all aspects of the market, within its first year of office.”

Northants boys qualified for the England Golf County Team Championships final for the first time after winning the Midlands qualifier at Trentham GC in Staffordshire.

In an event which has been going since 1982, the team of Luke Barney, Callum Farr, Tom Forster, Ben Jones, Fergus Robinson and Charlie Salter recorded a score of 748 to finish three shots clear of the home county, with Lincolnshire (761) in third.

Farr, who compiled the best second round of two-under-par 70, finished third in the individual competition as he nudged out team-mate Jones on countback on 146. England international Billy Spooner (143) led the way.

Northants will now play three 36-hole matches against the successful counties from the regional events in the North, South West and South East in the final at King’s Lynn GC in Norfolk on August 25-27.

Hollingsworth Trophy

Group A

Northants County proved just too strong for Whittlebury Park in their Group A decider as they recorded a 4-1 home success in a match that was a lot closer than the final scoreline suggested.

The hosts reached the last four thanks to wins from Steve Barber and Jeff Winfield (3&2), Glenn Cottrell and Alan Linney (3&1) and Andrew Nicholson and Malcolm Watkins (3&1) and a narrow victory for Lee Ault and Antony Elderton.

Daventry avoided the wooden spoon in emphatic style as they completed a 
5-0 home thrashing of Stoke Albany, who prop up the standings.

Group B

Northampton had few problems booking their place in the semis after making it four wins out of four with a 4-1 home success against Brampton Heath.

Lewis White and Drew Russell (6&4) and David Goldman and Darren Gould (5&4) set the tone with convincing wins, before Lloyd Skidmore and Dean Roberts guaranteed the team success on the 18th hole.

Keith Heard and Brad Jarvis added another home win down the last as Northampton finished four points clear of Northants County, who were beaten 3-2 in their final match at Oundle.

Group C

Kingsthorpe will go into the semi-finals in confident touch after completing their campaign with a fourth win as they triumphed by a single point at Cold Ashby.

With a semi-final berth already confirmed, Kingsthorpe could afford to lose the 
opening two ties before coming good with wins in the other three games - the decisive point being delivered by 
Jake Croxford and Jason Spence.

Group D

Priors Hall have qualified for the last four on points difference from Wellingborough, who were denied a place in the semi-finals following a 3-2 loss at Collingtree.

Needing to secure a 
fourth victory in four outings to top the table, Wellingorough points from Sam Waite and Michael Garside (3&2) and Jon Harris and Chris Howes (4&3) weren’t quite enough.

In the other group match, Staverton are still waiting for their first win of the season as they went down 3-2 at Kettering, for whom Rob Aarts and Marcel Aarts impressed.

Junior League

Group A

There’s nothing to choose between the four teams in Group A after Collingtree drew 2-2 at home to Staverton, while Kettering grabbed a share of the spoils away to Peterborough Milton.

Liam McNeela (3&2) and Conor Rosling (4&3) took the opening two games for Collingtree, but Staverton earned a draw with a couple of good wins in the remaining ties.

It was the same story in the other match as Milton clinched the first couple of points, only for Kettering to reply thanks to victories for Ed Keech (5&3) and Ashleigh Critchley (6&4).

Group B

Wellingborough made the perfect start to the season as they recorded a 4-0 home win against Priors Hall.

Ellie Darnell and Becky MacLaren were both victorious on the 14th hole, Sam Digby collected a point with a couple of holes still to play, while Tom Preece (4&3) completed the whitewash.

Group C

Kingsthorpe remained unbeaten in their four individual ties at home to Northampton as they enjoyed a 3-1 success.

Jason McGuinness took the opening game 3&2, the next two ties were halved before Elijah Woodward wrapped up the Kingsthorpe victory by winning the last hole.

Handicap League

Group A

Collingtree are strolling towards the semi-finals after completing a brilliant 25-0 demolition of Silverstone on their own course.

After winning at Kingsthorpe the previous weekend, Collingtree were once again in top form on their travels as Chris Malton and Tom Philbin took the opening tie by seven holes.

The visitors recorded three narrow wins, before they ended Silverstone’s hopes with two thumping victories from Stuart Maddison and Josh Sampson (eight holes) and Mike Clarke and Jensen Parfitt (seven holes).

Group B

A great start and an excellent finish made all the difference for Farthingstone in their home match with Staverton as they bagged a 15-6 win. Tim Starmer and John Whittaker (four holes) and Jonathan Redley and Adam Smith (three holes) set Farthingstone on the way, before Robin Slough and Adrian Miller (six holes) wrapped up the home scoring in the last tie.

Group C

Wellingborough’s strong tail was crucial in their 12-6 success at Oundle as the reigning champions overturned a 6-1 deficit at the half way stage by taking the final three games.

Chris Herring and Loz Weekes (three holes), Ken Birmingham and Steven Hammond (four holes) moved Wellingborough ahead, before Carl Martin and Andrew Flatres (four holes) wrapped up the team’s third victory in three outings.

Peterborough Milton showed their determination away to Cold Ashby as they edged a thrilling contest by just a single point.

Although the hosts won the opening tie by one hole and clinched the final game by three, Milton just held the upper hand in the remaining matches.

Neil Smith and Bob Duthie clinched game two by a couple of holes, before the visitors snatched the plaudits with narrow wins in the next three ties.

Group D

Three good wins proved vital for Overstone in their home contest with Kettering as they came out on top 8-4.

Despite losing three matches by a narrow margin, the hosts grabbed the initiative thanks to wins from Dan Fowkes and Phil Gardner (four holes), Ray Fairburn and Nigel Phelan (two holes) and David Lawrence and Dave Watson (two holes).

Luke Barney was crowned Northamptonshire Boys champion for the first time after shooting two rounds of one-over-par 73 in windy conditions on his home course at Overstone Park.

The four-handicapper was pushed all the way by Northants County’s Charlie Salter, who could have forced a play-off when he gave himself an eagle chance on the 36th hole.

Unfortunately for Salter, he could only make par and had to settle for second place by one from Ben Jones (Brampton Heath), with Tom Forster (Oundle) a further stroke off the lead.

With Barney only able to claim one prize, the net category went to Daniel Blackmore (Kingsthorpe) with two rounds of net 71.

Northamptonshire Girls Championships

Millie Billson (Northants County) enjoyed a seven-shot victory in the Northamptonshire Girls Championship after shooting gross scores of 81 and 83 at Overstone Park.

The county girls captain finished ahead of reigning champion Ellie Darnell (Wellingborough), with younger sister Hattie Billson (County) finishing in a tie for third alongside Rayner Edwards (Whittlebury).

Northampton’s Charlotte Gilkes shot a blistering score of net 65 in the afternoon to grab the top prize in the net competition by nine from Hattie Billson. Peterborough Milton’s Jade Roberts was third.

Northamptonshire Junior Team Championships

Kingsthorpe picked up the Scottish Cup after winning the Junior Inter Club Competition by a single point from Northampton at Overstone Park.

With the best three scores to count from the four team members, the quartet of Daniel Blackmore, Elijah Woodward, Owen Watts and Jason McGuinness came out on top with 108 points.

The Northampton team of Charlotte Gilkes, Daniel Cichuta, Sophie Copson and Ben Lavender collected the Shoe and Leather Cup.

With the best two rounds to count, the club finished one ahead of Overstone’s Luke Barney and Baylie Pyke, who enjoyed the challenge of being the only players to represent the home club.

US Women’s Open

Lauren Taylor will join top Northamptonshire ladies golfer Charley Hull in the 2015 US Women’s Open next month after she came through a qualifying play-off at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

After posting a total of three-under-par 139, the 21-year-old showed nerves of steel as she birdied the first extra hole to book a place at Lancaster Country Club on July 9-12.

Taylor, who was a member at Northants County member when she won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2011, said: “It couldn’t have gone better.

“I finished birdie, birdie and then to go into a play-off and birdie the hole was really fun. It was a nice fist pump at the end.”

Hull, who is competing in the Manulife LPGA Classic in Canada today (Thursday) ahead of the second major of the year next week, is guaranteed a place in the US Open due to her world ranking of 47.

Shires Junior Golf Tour

All competitors playing in the seventh round of the Shires Junior Golf Tour event at Kettering on Sunday, June 14 will receive a special prize donated by Ladies European Tour pro Charley Hull.

With places available for boys and girls to play in the nine-hole and 18-hole competitions, please contact Paul Bull on 07824 666480 or email paul@shiresjuniorgolftour.co.uk.

County Roses

Four net eagles and eight net pars were on the winning scorecard of Ashleigh Critchley in the County Roses Tour event at Delapre.

The Kettering member bagged an incredible tally of 49 points to finish seven ahead of Northants County’s Katie Amos, with Charlotte Gilkes (Northampton) in third on 41.

Northants County

Four junior members combined perfectly in the Bank Holiday Am-Am as Ben Jones, Sam Henfrey, Charlie Salter and Fergus Robinson bagged the best score of 85 points.

Three ladies formed part of the winning team in the mixed competition as Gillian Curley, Alisa Moore and Marion Peel combined with Michael Curley to shoot 83.

Silverstone

Andy Prideaux was successful in the third Order of Merit event of the year as he bagged 40 points to finish two clear of Dave Makepeace and Mel Toms.

Countback was required to decide the winner of the Cedrick Shield after four players came in with 39 points. Jeff Callow Callow grabbed the verdict from Andy Gell, Mike Woodward and Matt Thomas.

Farthingstone

Andrew Masters compiled a round of net 68 in the Past Captains Competition as the 26-handicapper nudged one in front of Lawrence Smith.

Scoring wasn’t quite as good in the Spring Bank Holiday Competition the following day as Bryan Duckworth (33 points) triumphed by three.

Cherwell Edge

One point was the margin of victory for Nigel Wakelin on the Captain’s Charity Day as his excellent tally of 43 nudged him ahead of top division duo John Thompson and Lee Phillips.

Luis Witherall won the Junior May Stableford with 39.

Cold Ashby

An excellent birdie two on the long third hole sent Adam Kerr on the way to a stunning victory in the May Bank Holiday Competition as the 18-handicapper carded 43 points. Adam Ashenden (37) was a distant second.

It was a lot closer in the Mixed Charity Competition the previous day as Dill Thomas and Lyn Thomas lifted the Neale Trophy after nudging one point ahead of Bob Steane and Barbara Steane (37).

Kingsthorpe

Doc Halliday (Brampton Heath) was the perfect companion for Geoff Wileman on the Member and Guest Day as the duo carded 43 points to nudge one ahead of Robin Adams and Kevin Hitchcock.

Whittlebury

Net 64 was a magnificent winning round in the Harmon’s Flag competition as Adam Cook took the honours in the Izzard Trophy qualifier.

The 18-handicapper completed the opening seven holes in gross level par as he went on to finish four ahead of David Castle and David Osborne.

Staverton

Back-to-back birdies on the fifth and sixth holes helped Tom Sawyer shoot the best nine-hole total of 21 points in the ninth round of the Tuesday Night Stableford. Malcolm Jones was next on 20.

Northampton

Forty five points was a stunning winning tally in the Summer Series Stableford as Jeffrey Buck grabbed the plaudits by four from Paul Evans. Next came Jon Warlow and Darren Cooke on 39.

Delapre

Scoring proved difficult in the May Stableford as Lee Rodgers beat Alan Picketts on countback with 34 points.

Better playing conditions resulted in better points totals in the Young Ones Stableford as Jamie Cordiner (41) won by four from Gary Wray.

Northants men tasted defeat in their Middleton Cup clash against Leicestershire at Kingsthorpe.

Matches against the local rivals are always keenly contested and this was no different, although it was the visitors who wrapped up a 122-111 victory.

The final scoreline was close but the stage scores showed that Leicestershrie were always in front, albeit by narrow margins.

The county had two winning rinks and one drawn, but with three losing, one of them by a substantial margin, the match was always being chased.

Northants’ highest-winning rink was the one skipped by Paul Broderick as they were victorious by 17 shots, while Jamie Walker’s won by 15. The defeat meant the county claimed just five points, while Leicestershire secured 17.

Northants’ next clash in the competition is this weekend when they make the trip to County Arts BC in Norwich to take on Norfolk (2pm).

Rink scores

Leicestershire skips only

Rink one: Dave Love, David Walker, Alan Ashby, Jamie Walker 30 Stuart Thomas 15.

Rink two: Richard Lemon, Will Walker, Callum Height, Darren Childs 17 Steve Wade 17.

Rink three: Adam Brown, Matt Pownall, Roger Tansley, Neil Corbyn 11 Peter Hobbs 35.

Rink four: Curtis Johnson, Connor Cinato, Andrew Manton, Vernon Gearey 9 Joe Dawson 22.

Rink five: Keith Height, Peter Ward, John Haines, Phil Exley 13 Neil Hope 19.

Rink six: Tony O’Leary, Martin Gearey, Iain Walker, Paul Broderick 31 Alistair Hollis 14.

County squad for the match versus Norfolk

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

Burton Latimer Town BC: Paul Broderick, Phil Exley

Desborough Town BC: John Haines (Reserve), Peter Ward

Kettering Mid Band BC: Connor Cinato

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

Northampton Express BC: Chris Bland, Richard Lemon

Northampton West End BC: Alan Ashby, David Walker, Iain Walker, Jamie Walker, Will Walker

Thrapston BC: Callum Height, Keith Height, Matt Pownall

Wellingborough BC: Neil Corbyn (Reserve), Curtis Johnson (Reserve), Dave Love

Slick start to Johns Trophy campaign

Northants Ladies made an impressive winning start to their Johns Trophy campaign as they beat Huntingdonshire 151-105 at Wellingborough.

The county are bidding to emulate or better their achievement of reaching the semi-finals at Leamington last year and made the perfect start as they won by a big 46-shot margin.

Northants won four winning rinks with one draw and one loss.

That also included a huge victory for the rink skipped by Rebecca Wigfield as they won by 32 shots.

The victory resulted in Northants claiming 19 points, while the visitors returned home with just three.

Team manager Jan Hunt was delighted with the result and the county can now look forward to their next outing in the competition against Bedfordshire.

Rink scores

Hunts skips only

Rink one: Alison Dring, Janet Ashby, Yvonne McKee, Brenda Bishop 20 S Craig 14.

Rink two: Ann-Marie Waters, Jeannie Flippance, Katie Smith, Rebecca Wigfield 37 J Padley 5.

Rink three: Sandra Mawson, Pat Bodily, Jill Welch, Jan Bradley 20 V Corn 20.

Rink four: Chris Cooper, Michelle Harris, Tina Broderick, Sharon Tansley 15 J Ford 37.

Rink five: Trish Basford, Viv Gaudyn, Emma Gray, Val Betts 29 D Barlow 16.

Rink six: Celia Morris, Margaret Cave, Barbara Haseldine, Hilary Sharpe 30 A Rose 13.

Northants Ladies suffered a 138-89 defeat in their friendly against Worcestershire at Harpole BC.

Rink scores, Worcs skips only

Rink 1: Margaret Cave, Pam Sallaway, Heather Lack & Anita Petrucci 14 shots – E Allen 28 shots

Rink 2: Julie Spreadbury, Joan Bryan, Pat Bodily & Nancy Tebbutt 17 shots – B Cresswell16 shots

Rink 3: Joyce George, Velda Cooper, Wilma Walker & Brenda Bishop 7 shots – A Case 21 shots

Rink 4: Celia Morris, Janet Riome, Yvonne McKee & Joyce Porter 25 shots – D Jackson 17 shots

Rink 5: Jan Hunt, Phyll Parry, Eleanor Winters & Di Brumwell 13 shots – S Collis 30 shots

Rink 6: Linda Warren, Margaret Tyler, Pat Gayton & Sharon Tansley 13 shots – M Borthwick 26 shots

Devon tour is mixed for Northants men

Northants Men toured Devon last week, claiming two wins and suffering three defeats in their five matches.

The wins came against Culm Vale, who were beaten 166-97, and Hampshire, who were beaten 73-33 in a ‘half-match’ on the final day of the tour; a match that was also played indoors due to rain.

The defeats were against Sidmouth (138-108), Dorset (139-91) and Devon (141-132).

The player of the tour award for the best aggregate score went to to Mick Malins of Rushden Town BC.

Results

Northants 108 Sidmouth BC 138. Rink scores, Sidmouth skips only

Rink 1: John Ruff, Dick Howell, Mark Betts & George Willmott 12 – M Borst 27

Rink 2: Gordon Morris, Ken Court, Les Johnson & John Hines 17 – B Smith 22

Rink 3: Graham Cashmore, Bryon Mills, Mark Turner & Keith Gordon 18 – R Cook 17

Rink 4: Pete Kitchener, Roly Smith, Dave Lovell & Richard Somerton 18 – M Brimson 21

Rink 5: Peter Court, Vic Wallace, Dave Stewart & John Cooper 25 – A Holland 23

Rink 6: Martin Horsham, Trevor Tilley, Richard Dyball & Carl Haines 18 – J Mason 28

Northants 166 Culm Vale 97. Rink scores, no Culm Vale names

Rink 1: Stuart Lake, Dave Lovell, Les Johnson & George Willmott 16 – Culm Vale 17

Rink 2: Martin Horsham, John Ruff, Richard Dyball & John Church 27 – Culm Vale 13

Rink 3: Don Scott, Graham Cashmore, John Cooper & Roy Cave 21 – Culm Vale 17

Rink 4: Ian Dunn, Roly Smith, Pete Kitchener & Mick Malins 29 – Culm Vale 10

Rink 5: Mickey Munns, Bryon Mills, Mark Betts & John Haines 22 – Culm Vale 13

Rink 6: Bob Tingle, Trevor Tilley, Dick Howell & Mark Turner 22 – Culm Vale 15

Rink 7: Peter Court, Gordon Morris, Dave Stewart & Carl Haines 29 – Culm Vale 12

Northants 91 Dorset 139. Rink scores, Dorset skips only

Rink 1: Roly Smith, Vic Wallace, Les Johnson & Richard Somerton 15 – David Hogsflesh 20

Rink 2: John Ruff, Micky Munns, Richard Dyball & Roy Cave 11 – Roy Farrant 31

Rink 3: Peter Court, Ken Court, George Willmott & John Haines 19 – Paul Spetch 23

Rink 4: Ian Dunn, Gordon Morris, Keith Gordon & John Church 17 – Brian Rumble 28

Rink 5: Stuart Lake, Bob Tingle, John Cooper & Carl Haines 13 – Alec McKeenzie 19

Rink 6: Martin Horsham, Don Scott, Dave Stewart & Mark Turner 16 – Brian Males 18

Northants 132 Devon 141. Rink scores as follows, no Devon names available

Rink 1: Peter Court, Bryon Mills, Richard Dyball & Roy Cave 12 – Devon 18

Rink 2: Martin Horsham, Dave Lovell, Mark Betts & Ken Court 20 – Devon 27

Rink 3: Pete Kitchener, Roly Smith, George Willmott & Mick Malins 19 Devon 16

Rink 4: Gordon Morris, Richard Howell, Mark Turner & John Church 23 Devon 17

Rink 5: Stuart Lake, Vic Wallace, Micky Munns & Richard Somerton 16 – Devon 17

Rink 6: Bob Tingle, Graham Cashmore, Ian Dunn & Dave Stewart 19 Devon 24

Rink 7: John Ruff, Don Scott, Carl Haines & Keith Gordon 23 – Devon 22

Northants 73 Hampshire 33. Rink scores, no Hampshire names available

Rink 1: Roly Smith, Gordon Morris, Bob Tingle & John Cooper 5 Hampshire 10

Rink 2: Ian Dunn, Dave Lovell, Mark Betts & Richard Somerton 17 Hampshire 5

Rink 3: Graham Cashmore, Keith Gordon, George Willmott & John Church 12 – Hampshire 4

Rink 4: Pete Kitchener, Dick Howell, Les Johnson & John Haines 14 Hampshire 5

Rink 5: Mickey Munns, Don Scott, Mark Turner & Roy Cave 14 Hampshire 3

Rink 6: John Ruff, Trevor Tilley, Richard Dyball & Mick Malins 11 – Hampshire 6

Selection sorted for clash at Kingsthorpe

The following players have been selected to represent the Jackson Grundy-sponsored Bowls Northamptonshire Under 25’s for the Midland Counties Ron Barston Trophy league match against Leicestershire at Kingsthorpe BC on Sunday ( 2.30pm):

Rink 1: Nick Manton, Kingsthorpe/Megan Rolfe, Kingsthorpe/Danny Walker, Northampton West End/David Walker, Northampton West End

Rink 2: Tom Wellburn, Kingsthorpe/Jasmin Spear, Kingsthorpe/Sam Gamble, Desborough Town/Chris Wright, Kingsthorpe

Rink 3: Connor Rollings, Kettering Lodge/Adam Hawkins, Abington/Matt Cattell, Rushden Town/Connor Cinato, Kettering Midland Band

Rink 4: Kyle Buckley, Rushden Town/Kieran Rollings, Kettering Lodge/Adam Pitfield, Rushden Town/Nathan Betts, Rushden Town

Reserves from the following: Alice Moore, Kislingbury/Jordan Dickens, St Crispin/Callum Beale, Wellingborough/Billie Swift, Abbey Park/Harvey Johnson, Rushden Town/Tay O’Neill, Corby Seagrave House /Zac Wilson Earls Barton/Paige Johnson-Young, Rushden Town

This week, through to Sunday (June 7), people across the world are celebrating Women In Sport week and shining a light on incredible female athleticism, enthusiasm and talent.

The positive reaction in response to the first Chronicle & Echo Women In Sport column last week has been overwhelming, and it proves that readers want to hear more about what the ladies are up to as well as the men.

With that in mind I want to say a huge thank you for your support and also want to give you all a massive high five for being part of something that is changing the way people perceive women in sport.

I was shocked to see in a recent study conducted by Sport England that there are currently 1.9million fewer women playing sport once a week than men and it makes me wonder why.

Is it the overall lack of coverage in the media? Or is it issues closer to home?

The Women In Sport charity recently launched the #SwayToPlay campaign, which was supported by a behavioral study of who and what influences a woman when she decides to take part in an activity.

The main thing that stood out for me, is that anyone at any time can be an influencer, both positively and negatively, as to whether a woman takes up sport or not.

A lot like most things in life.

Looking back to my school days, I was lucky enough to have a physical education teacher that was so passionate about sport that it was infectious and I found myself swept along in the journey.

But would it have been the same if my teacher had not have been as supportive?

Whether it’s a friend, colleague, your own daughter, sister, auntie or mum, if you see or hear even the slightest flicker of them wanting to try a new sport or activity, show your support; as I bet they’ll begin to glow and give it their all if you do.

Who knows, you might find yourself going along, too!

There’s plenty going on around the county if you want to get involved locally, and plenty of initiatives aimed at enticing you in.

Check out the ladies cricket team, Northants Steel-lettos, who are giving free taster sessions, or the Northampton Titans, who are currently recruiting for new female American Football players.

There are also plenty of local Breeze cycling rides for both women and families coming up, or if you fancy something a little bouncier, have a look at the Northampton Trampoline and Gymnastics club for a fun all over body workout.

The point of this column is to be a positive influencer for those girls and women on the cusp of taking up sport or recreational activity, and for those already competing.

But don’t just take my word for it – search the Women In Sport Week hashtag on Twitter (#WSW2015) and get involved yourself. You’ll be positively influencing those around you.

Get in touch with your stories and sporting pictures, big and small, to adrianne@actionsportmedia.co.uk or tweet me @Adrianne_Hill

A good Samaritan who helped two women who claimed to be stranded in Northamptonshire had his camera stolen by the pair.

The man was driving along Station Road, Kettering, at about 1.40pm on Tuesday, June 2, when he was flagged down by two young women who said their car had broken down.

He agreed to give them a lift to King Street, but when they got out of the car, he noticed his Minolta camera had gone missing.

The first woman was black, aged about 20, slim, with black shoulder length hair.

She was wearing black shiny trousers, a dark top, shoes which may have had a leopard print on them and was carrying a pale coloured handbag.

The second woman was white, about 5ft 4in and was very thin with short dark brown hair.

She was wearing blue tracksuit bottoms with a pale stripe on them, a grey hoodie and was carrying two mobile phones.

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

A pair of thieves who stole cash, bank and credit cards from a woman in a Kettering car park tricked her into believing they needed directions to the hospital.

The incident took place at midday on Wednesday (June 3) in the Morrisons car park in Lower Street when the offenders – a man and a woman – approached the victim who was in her car to ask for the directions.

She said she placed her handbag on the front passenger seat while she wrote down the directions, during which time her purse was opened and the cash and cards were taken.

The offenders have been described as white with eastern European accents.

The man was about 5ft 10in tall, slim and with short dark-brown hair.

He was wearing a black suit and a white shirt with an open neck while the woman, 5ft 8in tall and slim with shoulder-length blonde hair, wore a flowered skirt and top with a green cardigan.

Police officers are warning people to be vigilant after a number of reports of similar offences over the past few months.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 222.

A supermarket chain has recalled bags of prawns which could contain uncooked fish.

Asda is recalling its 180g Cooked and Peeled King Prawns, with a ‘use by’ date of 7 June 2015, because some packs have been incorrectly produced with raw prawns.

The Food Standards Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.

A spokesman said: “If you have bought this product, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund or contact Asda on 0800 952 0101.”

No other Asda products are known to be affected.

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are warning people of the dangers of taking any illegal drugs and the risks associated with not knowing the content of what they are taking.

The warning is after a teenager died at his home in Nuneaton on Sunday May 31, potentially as a result of a dangerous batch of pills.

At this stage it is unknown whether these pills were taken or contributed to his death.

Police have released images of the pills which are currently being tested and are urging the public to be extra vigilant.

The pills are described as a round, a reddish/pink colour with a logo similar to the one used by Creamfields festival.

Detective Sergeant James Coleman said: “It is not only illegal to buy and sell drugs but can also be very dangerous, and potentially fatal. We are urging the public not to be tempted to take illegal drugs - you don’t know what they are made of or where they have come from.

“We are eager to hear from anyone who has been offered drugs matching this description recently. Please alert police so that we can remove them from our streets.

“We are continuing with our enquiries to trace the suppliers of these pills. Our thoughts are very much with the teenager’s family at this sad and difficult time.”

For drug advice, visit the Talk To Frank website: www.talktofrank.com.

There is also a 24/7 National Drugs Helpline on 0800 776600 - a free and confidential telephone service that offers advice and information for those who are concerned, or have questions, about drugs.

Anyone with information is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101, quoting incident 215 of Sunday 31st May.

Alternatively, the independent charity, Crimestoppers, can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

A large quantity of materials have been stolen from Norton Road, Daventry.

Between 4.30pm on Wednesday 3 June 3 and 7.30am on Thursday June 4 offenders dismantled a fence surrounding the temporary works compound, next to the electrical substation at the end of the road.

Once inside they forced their way into the site office and storage shed, and stole two petrol Stihl saws, two Wacker plates and a trench Wacker rammer, as well two 240v petrol generators.

They then drove into the adjoining land, where they cut through a 1000v electric fence and removed a large quantity of single copper XLPE cable.

It is believed the offenders were driving a twin-axle van.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 222.

Northants Steelbacks were made to rue missed chances as England star Moeen Ali propelled Worcestershire Rapids to a 14-run win at the County Ground on Friday night.

Ali and fellow opener Daryl Mitchell set the tone for the visitors’ highest T20 score on Steelbacks territory.

But it could all have been so different had Rory Kleinveldt taken the opportunities that were presented to him.

The South African dropped Ali, who had not scored at the time, and Mitchell, who was on one when he was handed a reprieve.

Ali went on to smash 90 and Mitchell 43 as the Rapids piled on the runs, making 211 for three from their 20 overs.

It was always unlikely that Northants would be able to come back from that - but they put in a spirited effort with the bat.

Josh Cobb smashed a superb 80 from 44 balls, but his side fell just short on 197 for seven.

It is now three defeats in as many games in the NatWest T20 Blast for David Ripley’s men.

Ali was always going to have a point to prove, returning to the Rapids squad after being left out of England’s one-day side for the upcoming clashes with New Zealand.

But he should have gone early on as Kleinveldt missed a simple slip catch off the bowling of David Willey.

Mitchell also enjoyed an escape off Willey as Kleinveldt failed to take a slightly tougher catch.

And the Steelbacks were made to pay as Ali and Mitchell racked up a partnership of 131 before Mitchell chopped on off Shahid Afridi.

Ali followed as Steven Crook claimed the wicket thanks to a superb catch from Alex Wakely.

Colin Munro went for 17 after holing out to Wakely in the deep, but Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Ross Whiteley carried their team past the 200 mark.

Aside from the loss of Willey for 12, the Steelbacks started strongly, with Richard Levi and Cobb revving the engine.

Levi was giving Saeed Ajmal a pummeling before the Rapids bowler got his revenge, trapping the big-hitting batsman LBW for 42.

Cobb carried on to reach his 50 from 31 balls, giving his team real hope of a victory.

Wakely was bowled by Joe Leach for 19 but that brought Shahid Afridi to the crease, and the Pakistan legend announced his arrival with a couple of quick sixes.

The Steelbacks found themselves needing 41 runs from the final three overs, but Ajmal struck, dismissing Afridi for a quickfire 15.

Cobb hit the next ball for six, but then holed out to Ali, leaving Steelbacks perliously close to defeat.

Kleinveldt went to Jack Shantry for one, and the same bowler dismissed Rob Keogh for two.

The Steelbacks required 27 runs from the final over, but they were to fall short as Edward Barnard ensured the Rapids cruised home.

David Ripley believes a lack of bowling nous cost his team dear in Friday night’s 14-run defeat to Worcestershire Rapids.

The Steelbacks allowed their opponents to reach 211 for three, with England star Moeen Ali smashing 11 fours and five sixes in his 90.

He should have been removed on nought as Rory Kleinveldt failed to take a catch in the slips.

And the South African also failed to take one off Daryl Mitchell, who flew from one to 43 to bolster his team’s tally.

Josh Cobb, who made 80, led a spirited reply, but the Steelbacks had left themselves too much to do with the bat, just as they had with the ball in the final-ball five-wicket defeat to Birmingham Bears last Friday.

“We batted really well, but our bowling let us down,” said Ripley, whose side have now lost all three of their NatWest T20 Blast games. “Last week, it was the flip side of that.

“Hopefully before too long we’ll put it all together and have a good day with bat and ball and hopefully give someone a good hiding.

“We dropped Moeen on nought and he got close to 100. That’s going to hurt you.

“Rory did his practising, his catching but that’s just part of the game.

“One guy makes a mistake and sometimes it doesn’t prove costly, especially in the T20 games, but it cost us 90 runs and at a high rate.

“I was disappointed with our plans. We didn’t really keep the ball away from where the wind was blowing and we enabled too many sixes.

“If we’d bowled a bit smarter, we could have held them under 200 and our required rate might well have brought us a win.”

Phil Dowson has made a habit of providing back-up for Dylan Hartley - and he has done it one more time before leaving Saints to join Worcester.

The flanker, one of Northampton’s go-to guys when Hartley has been injured, suspended or on international duty, believes his club captain will come back stronger from his recent setback.

Hartley has been omitted from England’s Rugby World Cup training squad after receiving a four-week ban for headbutting Jamie George in Saints’ Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final to Saracens.

George will replace the Saints star in the international set-up.

And Hartley, who also missed the 2013 Lions tour after receiving a suspension, will now have to rebuild at his club.

But Dowson believes the 29-year-old will have no problem doing that, stressing that he’s done it before and will do it again.

“Dyls is a brilliant bloke and a brilliant captain,” said Dowson.

“I’m not going to spout off about relationships, but it’s been very, very harsh (for him to miss the World Cup).

“But I also know he’s very, very resilient and he’s able to cope with these setbacks. He’ll do the same again.

“He’ll deal with it in his own individual way and he’ll approach next season with the same vigour he approaches every year.

“I’m obviously disappointed for him, but he’s a great bloke and I’ve got so much 
respect for him, not only as a guy, but also his leadership and captaincy.

“I’ve learned a lot from him.”

Dowson, Hartley and Tom Wood have been key men in building the strong spirit that has propelled Saints to silverware during recent seasons.

And Dowson, who will move to Sixways this summer, has hailed Hartley’s role in the culture club.

“You’re always in with a chance of winning trophies, but you want to have laughs along the way,” said the 33-year-old. “The characters help with that.

“I just had a huge amount of laughs and it was a good, fun place to go to work, but it was also hard work.

“The atmosphere and culture has been built around Dylan and everything he’s gone through. He is such a strong character for that club.”

Cobblers new boy Josh Lelan can’t wait to get out on the Sixfields pitch at 3pm on a Saturday, so he can ‘play for three proper points’.

The 20-year-old has signed a 12-month contract with Northampton after being released by Sky Bet Championship outfit Derby County.

Derby-born Lelan has spent five years with his hometown club, without managing to break into the first team at Pride Park.

He has played senior football in a couple of loan spells at Gateshead - under Northampton-born Gary Mills - and also at Swindon Town, but Lelan has played most of his recent football at Under-21 Premier League level.

It’s a good standard, with Derby finishing third in Premier League Division Two, above the likes of Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, but there’s no ‘edge’.

And that is what Lelan craves, genuine competition, and is one of the main reasons he has swapped the Rams for the Cobblers.

“The physicality of league football is a massive thing, but I think the main thing is just playing for three proper points,” said Lelan.

“I don’t think technically the level of the players is much different, or the playing ability, it is just the thing of getting that mentality of how much rides on a win.

“If you concede a goal in the 90th-minute in Under-21s football it doesn’t really mean that much, but when you come to league two and you are fighting, for a play-off position for example, then it is a much bigger thing.

“And there are also 5,000 screaming fans inside the ground as well!”

Lelan has been signed primarily as a right-back, but he can also play in central defence and in midfield, and he feels that versatility is a positive.

“I like to think my versatility is a strength,” he said.

“I have played a number of positions in my time at Derby, I have played at right-back, centre-half and even a holding midfield role, and I am open to all of them.

“I don’t mind as long as I am on the pitch playing, I do my job.

“Playing a number of positons can only add more strings to your bow.”

Lelan’s experience of senior football is limited to say the least, with a month at Gateshead in 2013 being followed up with two months at Swindon in August and September last year.

But the fact that he did turn out for the high-flying Robins in Sky Bet League One gives him the belief that he will be able to deal with life in league two.

Asked if he feels it is a level he’ll be able to handle himself at, Lelan said: “I 100 per cent believe that.”

And he’s not just talking about the odd appearance here and there, Lelan wants to be a starter.

“I am coming to Northampton to cement a starting position and play 40 games a season,” he said. “Then from there we will see where it takes us.

“I see this as an opportunity more than anything, and the chance to prove what I am all about, and to succeed.

“Everything else will come with that as long as I do the business here.

“I have a 12-month contract, and we will see how it goes from the start of the season.

“Hopefully I will be able to cement a starting position, and a contract would come with that I suppose.”

A Northampton mascot best known as Clarence the Dragon is calling on others to sign a stem cell register at tomorrow’s Race For Life, after he was found to be a donor match.

A year ago Cobblers mascot Ray Lucas, signed up to the Anthony Nolan register at the Race for Life event at Abington Park.

The Duston man, 22, filled out a form and a ‘spit kit’ at a stall being run by Northampton mum Kaisha Morris, who is desperately searching for a stem cell donor for her son Joey, who has a rare blood condition and needs a bone marrow donor.

Shortly after the event, Mr Lucas got a call from Anthony Nolan to say he had been found as a match for someone in desperate need of a transplant.

Twelve months later, he is now calling on others to join the stem cell register when the charity returns to Abington Park for the Race For Life on Sunday.

Mr Lucas said: “Filling out a form and giving a bit of spit was the least I could do.

“It was a no-brainer and to be honest I didn’t think anything would come of it, but I thought it was better to be on the register and at least have that chance.”

Mr Lucas went on to donate his stem cells in April in London.

“It was honestly pain free and I was so well looked after by the nurses,” he added.

“My mum and dad were there with me so it was a proud moment.

“I’d like to say thank you to Kaisha Morris as she is the reason I’ve potentially saved a stranger’s life. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be on the register because I didn’t know about it.”

Mr Lucas beat the one in 1,200 odds of being called up to donate.

However the search for a match for Joey Ziadi, who suffers from a blood disorder called Diamond Blackfan Anaemia, is still on-going.

Since Joey’s diagnosis, the family have campaigned to recruit more young people to the register, hosting several events around Northampton.

They had their efforts recognised by Anthony Nolan winning the ‘Recruiter of the Year’ award at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards at the House of Commons.

Kaisha Morris, Joey’s mum, said: “We’re still looking for a match for Joey and there are so many other families like us. We need more young people like Ray to come down to our recruitment tent and sign up. Who knows? You could save someone’s life, just like Ray did.”

Ray will be helping team GIJoey sign up more potential lifesavers at the Race for Life event at Abington Park on Sunday, (June 7).

If you are aged between 16 and 30 and in good health you can also sign up online at www.anthonynolan.org.

Emergency services were called after a car flipped onto its roof.

Police, fire and the ambulance service went out to the incident involving two vehicles in Campbell Street, Northampton, just after 8pm yesterday.

One of the vehicles ended up on its roof just outside the Barwaqo shop.

It is not known if anyone was injured in the crash.

Ten people were evacuated and assessed by paramedics after thousands of litres of fuel were leaked into Grand Union Canal at Gayton Marina.

Northamptonshire Police have launched an investigatiion and have described it as a “criminal act”.

A spokesman said firefighters were called shortly before 4.15am on Saturday to discover a highly inflammable fuel from a pipeline near the marina was leaking directly into the water.

“Assisted by the Environment Agency, the Canal and River Trust and specialist contractors, an operation was started immediately to try to stop the leak and to remove the fuel from the surface of the water.

“The area affected was contained to about a 600-metre stretch from the Blisworth Arm, running south towards the M1 at Rothershorpe,” he added.

“The vapour created can cause breathing difficulties and as a result 10 people were evacuated from the immediate area and have been individually assessed by triage staff from the East Midlands Ambulance Service,” he said.

The affected people were placed in temporary accommodation by staff from Northamptonshire County Council’s emergency planning service.

Police also searched all 150 boats in the immediate area to check if anyone else was on board.

Chief Supt Paul Fell, who is leading the operation for Northamptonshire Police, said: “I’d like to reassure people this leak will have no detrimental effect on fuel supplies in the local area. However, this was a criminal act which has had very significant environmental consequences in that stretch of the canal.

“We are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in that area during the early hours of today to contact us as soon as possible on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 222.

There was glimpse of things to come for Saints fans at Twickenham last Sunday.

When Gareth Denman made his way on to the field to replace Kieran Brookes in England’s thumping win against Barbarians it was a nod to the future.

The pair will be battling it out for the Saints tighthead spot next season, with Brookes arriving from Newcastle Falcons this summer.

Denman believes his new rival, who is replacing Toulon-bound Salesi Ma’afu, will be a big hit.

But the former Rotherham prop is keen to ensure Brookes is the one occupying a replacements role rather than him.

“It’s good for the club to have two props in the England set-up,” Denman said.

“Kieran’s a good player and he will make a big impact for us next season.

“We’re the same age and I’ve known him a long time, playing with him and against him.

“I’m sure he’ll fit right in here.

“For me it’s just about continuing to learn and fighting for starts.”

Denman admits his inclusion in the England squad for the battle with the Barbarians was a surprise.

But it was an experience he cherished as he crowned a superb first two seasons at Saints with some international recognition.

“It was great to get on and I learned a lot from it,” said the 24-year-old.

“You’re playing with some great players and it was a pretty positive experience for me.

“I was a bit surprised to get the call-up, but I know I’ve made good improvement this season.

“It’s a first for me and and it was a really big day. It was a proud moment for me and my family.

“They were all there and it seemed like half of Rotherham was, too.”

Denman was joined in the England squad by Saints team-mates Lee Dickson, Jon Fisher and Alex Waller, while Samu Manoa was in the Barbarians side.

And Denman said: “It was great to have such a big Saints contingent and good to see Lee captaining the side.

“It was good to have the boys around and also to play against Samu.

“He came back to Northampton with us and it was nice to meet up now the season is over.”

It is a big summer for Denman, who will soon be getting married.

And he will then be able to look forward to another big season at Saints as he continues his quest to earn more honours with club and country.

“As a prop it’s always a long process to become the finished article,” said Denman, who has made 57 appearances for Northampton.

“I know I’ve got a long way to go but Salesi’s helped me massively.

“It’s been a really good contest and we’ve become good friends, but at the end of the day you want to get the shirt.”

And how does Denman reflect on last season, which failed to yield silverware for Saints, but did see them top the Premiership table?

“We’ve grown as a team and though we had a lot of disappointment, there were also plenty of positives,” he said.

“We’re a team on the up and hopefully that can continue.”