A number of Harpole members have entered the Bowls Northamptonshire Competition and Northamptonshire Short Mat Competitions . To improve your game you need to practice and pit yourshelf against experienced players which is what these players are doing.

2021/22 Short Mat County games

In the mixed pairs Wendy Kean and Mike Edwards got through the group stages. In the quarter final they were beaten by the same pair who beat them in final of the same competition just before covid struck. .

The 0ver 55 fours Short Mat competition Harpole were represented by Ed & Mary Carter with Wendy and Mike. They were drawn in a very strong group consisting of a team who have represented England. They didn’t manage to get through the group stages but did manage to win one game and go very close in two others.

An inaugural ladies singles competition was introduced in the 2021/22 season. Two players from Harpole took part, Mary Carter and Wendy Kean. Unfortunately both were drawn in the same group but Mary went very close to being runner up in the group but just missed out on going through. Wendy however did go through and them won her semi final on the very last wood of an extra end as the scores were tired after the 9 ends. In the final she meet Margaret Jones who has represented England. Wendy lost but it was a very tight game.

Full results can be found on the Northampton Short Mat site. http://www.nsmba.co.uk

2022 Outdoor Season

Harpole’s involvement in this seasons lawn green county competition is now over but there has been some success which hopefully will be continuing next season.

The men’s fours competed in both the fours and over 55 fours. The team were beaten in both but in the over 55 the result was 18:17 so so close!!

The men’s triples lost to a very good West End team

A mixed triples team of Wendy Kean Kevin Mace and Mike Edwards played at Abington. The final 2 ends were played in near darkness and although the score was 24:14 the game was only decided on the last two ends.

A mixed pair of Wendy Kean and Mike Edwards were pitted against a pair from Whyte Melville and there could not have been a closer result. With one end to play the score was 17 all. On the final end a wood of Wendy’s and her opposite number had to be measured 3 times to ensure the correct result. Unfortunately for Harpole the Whyte Melville wood was 2 mm closer!!!!!

Two teams of men’s pairs of Kevin Mace and Mike Edwards and Mark Oldham and Ed Carter also went up against pairs from Abington and narrowly lost in both games. One of the Abington pair are now in the final of that competition.

Two players entered the over 55 singles. Ed Carter narrowly lost to a West End player. Mike Edwards managed to beat a Abington player and then came up against a player from Higham Ferres. He started really well but was eventually beaten 21:9 to the player who is now in the final.

All county results can be found on the Bowls Northampton web site. http://www.bowlsnorthamptonshire.co.uk