Connor Cinato had reason to celebrate as he came out on top of the senior section at the regional finals of the English Bowls Development Scheme School for Excellence.
The Desboroigh IBC bowler got the better of Harry Cain in the final by a comprehensive 11-4 margin and will now aim to repeat his success of 2010 at the National Finals which take place in October.
At Melton & District IBC, both Cinato and Rushden’s Matthew Cattall performed well with the latter also making it as far as the last four where he was beaten 7-1 by his county colleague.
Cinato won all three of his morning matches to accumulate 30 points going into the skills session and Cattall won two of his matches to take forward 20 points.
The skills session saw Cinato accumulate a further 61 points, the highest score of any of the 32 players taking part from the two sections, with Cattall picking up 52 points from the skills to ensure the county duo met.
The other semi-final saw Cain defeat Claire Smith 11-2 before he was easily beaten in the deciding tie as Cinato showed all of his experience.
The county contingent of six players in the Junior Section experienced some mixed results, and none of them qualified for the afternoon semi-finals.
Adam Pitfield (Rushden Town) was the highest overall points scorer, closely followed by Lydia Howley & Maisie Lee (Northampton & District).
The section was finally won by Adam Fuller (Rugby Thornfield IBC) who beat Oliver Fowler, also of Rugby Thornfield, 6-4 in a very close final which was tied going into the last end.
The Finals of the County Indoor Competitions will be held for both genders at the same club, Northampton & District IBC, this weekend. A schedule has been drawn up for today (Thursday) through to Sunday.
One person who will have a busy weekend is Connor Cinato who is in five finals, namely the County Singles, County Under-25 Singles, County Fours, the NBYDS 15-18 Singles and the NBYDS Mixed Under 18 Pairs.
County power past Middlesex in friendly
NORTHANTS enjoyed a thumping 47-shot win over Middlesex in a friendly at Wellingborough BC.
It is not often a county as strong as Middlesex is overturned in such a commanding way, but the County won on five of the six rinks.
The County’s highest performing rink, by 23 shots, was skipped by Bob Tingle who had Brian Diver and Bill Craig with him, plus at lead Stuart Lowe of Brackley.
The final score was Northants 144 Middlesex 97.
Rink scores (Middlesex skips only). Rink one: Peter Woodhams/Don Scott/Geoff Harris/Norman Gibb 29 Eric Prior 17. Rink two: Stuart Lowe/Bill Craig/Brian Diver/ Bob Tingle 34 Richard Kial 11. Rink three: Alan Baulch/Geoff Allen/Tony Warren/Tony Weston 24 Colin Harman 13. Rink four: Jim Diver/Keith Howlett/Andy Hogg/Reg Jones 26 John Carey 13. Rink five: Roger Summers/Mick Weatherill/Brian Sherwood/Ted Guiver 12 Peter Rands 27 shots. Rink six: Dougie Cooper/Trevor Tilley/Brian Langton/Richard Somerton 19 Andy Knott 16.
Heaton-Harris to open new Heyford facility
Heyford Bowls Club has been awarded a grant from the ‘Inspired Facility’ fund, following from the London Olympics, which has enabled it to build some new changing rooms.
These will be opened by the MP for the area, Chris Heaton-Harris, at 2pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013, in the traditional manner of ‘cutting the ribbon’
It is anticipated that a number of dignitaries will attend to celebrate the occasion, including President of Bowls Northamptonshire men’s section, Geoff Hunt, who will represent the bowlers in the wider county.