Northamptonshire’s boys team got their preparations for the coming season off to a winning start as they defeated Bedfordshire 9-6 in a friendly match at Rushden on Friday.
The result rarely looked in doubt as the home outfit remained unbeaten in the five foursomes ties during an extremely cold morning session.
Brampton Heath duo Jack Brown and Jason McGuinness took the opening game, before Harry Woan (Overstone) and Josh Morris (Staverton) halved the second match.
Another half point for Dan Messom (Collingtree) and Michael Farr (Priors Hall) followed, before Jack Collins (Cold Ashby) and Sam Henfrey (Whittlebury) extended the county lead in the next tie.
Callum Farr (Priors Hall) and Ben Jones (Brampton) took the final pairs game to hand Northants a 4-1 advantage going into the afternoon.
Any hope Beds had of turning the match on its head disappeared straight away as Brown, Morris and Woan won the first three singles points to give the home side an unassailable lead.
Although Northamptonshire couldn’t maintain their unbeaten record throughout the day, Messom added another home point before Jones completed the scoring by taking the final game.