President will be Newton captain too

Northants Bowling Federation president Dick Noble will combine his presidential duties next year with those of the Newton Trophy team captaincy.

At last week’s annual meeting at Peterborough & District, he was elected to fill the post vacated at the end of last season by Cliff Watson, who was elected back on to the management committee.

With the role of deputy president remaining vacant for a second year, the president made a forceful appeal for more members to step up to the plate in the future and take on administrative responsibilities.

Empingham have rejoined the county following a two-year absence which as a result the Vanguard club, formed by players from that club who wanted to continue playing county competitions, has been disbanded, while Ryhall have also withdrawn their membership, leaving the county with 17 clubs.

Competition secretary Melvyn Beck informed the meeting that next year’s county indoor finals were to be staged at Peterborough & District on Sunday, March 15, with the outdoor finals at Ketton on Sunday, July 19.

As there were no new nominations received for any of the major administrative posts, all the principal officers were duly re-elected at the Northants Bowling Federation annual meeting last week.

Only the Adams Trophy team captaincy has been put on hold pending discussions with current incumbent, John Earl, who was unable to attend.