The competition is played on a round robin basis of regional groups, on a three rinks at home and three rinks away basis.

Northants are in a group with Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Their first opponents are Warwickshire, with the match is to be played next Tuesday (October 14), with the away rinks playing at Rugby Thornfield at 12 noon and the home rinks at Kingsthorpe IBC at 2pm.

Home players: Mick Corbyn (Rushden), Alan Spencer (Kingsthorpe), Tony Dicks (Daventry), Dougie Mitchell (Daventry), Herbert Starsmore (Kettering), AN Other, John Baggat (Kingsthorpe), John Clipston (Kingsthorpe), Dave Masters (Northampton), Roger Tansley (Kingsthorpe), Jim McKee (Kingsthorpe), Mick Worthington (Daventry).

Away players: Jim Diver (Desborough), Brian Thomas (Desborough), Gerry Sharp (Wellingborough), Norman Gibb (Desborough), Bob Care (Kingsthorpe), Richard Somerton (Brackley), George Warren (Desborough), Nev Humphrey (Desborough), Walt Winsor (Wellingborough), Carl Haines (Desborough), Mick Sharpe (Kingsthorpe), Maurice Allen (Wellingborough)

Northants Under 25s played the first friendly match of the new indoor season against Rushden IBC on Sunday and got off to a flyer, winning on five of the six rinks and taking the match by 39 shots.

The only losing triple for the youngsters was by just one shot, and the final score was Northants 123 Rushden IBC 84.

The Annual Presentation Lunch of the Northamptonshire Bowling Association was held at the Diamond Centre in Irthlingborough last Sunday.

Around 150 members and guests enjoyed the occasion.

County President Harvey Fruish was pleased to welcome his chief guest, Cliff Waterman, Bowls England Men's President, and Beverley Manning, the President of the Northampton Women's County Bowling Association.

Also there as guests were Graham Dunscombe (Chairman Northamptonshire Honorary Vice Presidents' Association) and Paul Osborn of NBA sponsors Chantrey Vellacott DFK.

Trophies were presented to the winners of the county tournaments, with special mention being made about the success of the Kingsthorpe triple of Richard Mann, Roger Tansley and Vernon Gearey, in winning the National Title at Worthing.

They were wished well when they represent England in the British Isles Series in June next year.

The National Indoor competitions are underway, and there is plenty of Northants interest. The County Winners from last year face the following first round matches:

Singles: Paul Broderick, Wellingborough meets Scott Johnson, also Wellingborough
Pairs: Paul with Neil Rees meets another Wellingborough pair skipped by Mick Cooper

Triples: Peter Ward's Triple from Desborough meet up with Malc Mattinson's from Rushden

Fours: Neil Corbyn's Rink from Wellingborough meets the Wellingborough rink of Robert Norman

Under 25s Singles: Jamie Walker, last year's National Runner-up, faces Cameron Knox from Desborough

Mixed Pairs: Paul Broderick meets up with Ross Knox, Desborough

Mixed Fours: Paul Broderick will play fellow Wellingborough member Robert Norman

Over 50 Triples: The Wellingborough triple in Paul Coley's name will face Barry Bonham's trio from Rushden

Over 60 Singles: National Title winner from last year Mick Sharpe plays fellow Kingsthorpe man A Parker.

Over 60 Pairs: Mick Sharpe faces a Market Harborough Duo in the name of J Aston

Father & Son: Neil McKee and his father Jim will play Chris Maden and his father.

The National Finals will be held early next year in three main blocks, with the first being at Northampton & District Indoor IBC between February 13 and 21.

There are then furher finals sessions at Lawson Park in Bedford (Feb 27-March 5) and at Nottingham IBC (March 27-April 5).

There is also the Champion of Champions Finals at Warner's Lakeside in Norwich between February 6-8, the Under 25 Singles at Melton Mowbray on December 27 and 28 (2008) and the Denny Cup and Plate at Lawson Park on March 14 and 15.

Club news
Cold Ashby
Fixtures: 12.10.08: Members visit Wymondham Dell IBC, Norfolk, for a mixed match. Travel is by coach, and the day out incorporates lunch, the match, and dinner.

March 2009: The Club is organising a bowls holiday from March 16-20, 2009, at the well renowned Potters Leisure Resort, which hosts major indoor bowls competition. The cost is £245 inclusive.

Northampton West End
9.10.08: Members visit Northampton & District IBC for a men's match at 2.15pm.