SUFFOLK'S Adams and Newton teams travelled to Lincolnshire last Saturday.Both counties knew that, if the past year's meetings were anything to go by, hard games could be expected and this trend continued.

SUFFOLK'S Adams and Newton teams travelled to Lincolnshire last Saturday.

Both counties knew that, if the past year's meetings were anything to go by, hard games could be expected and this trend continued.

The Adams team, playing at Burton House, Boston, made an even start with the scores being level at 26-26 at five ends.

By the 10th end, Suffolk managed to secure 30-22 lead and from that point managed to keep control. At the half way stage Suffolk had a 32-shot advantage and were winning on all rinks.

The biggest margin for Suffolk was on rink three where Paul Utting, Justin Sims and Mick Page had a comfortable 19-7 lead but they failed to score on the next five ends as the Lincs trio pulled back to within one shot 19-18.

This was certainly a game of two halves as they then took the lead again to lead 27-20 after 25 ends played but again failed to score in the remaining six ends to lose their rink 27-33.

Alan Brunton, Kelly Farman and Chris McIntyre had a comfortable 46-19 win to win the presentation spoons and, along with the other two rinks, was enough for Suffolk to win the game by 29 shots.

With Norfolk taking 22 points from North Essex, this means they too have played three and won three with 61 points to Suffolk's 49. The last game against Norfolk could be vital to both counties.

The Suffolk selectors have named an unchanged team for their visit to play North Essex on Saturday.

The Newton team, playing at Spalding, certainly made up for last week's poor performance against Hunts and most produced some excellent bowls.

It was evident that this had got to be so if they were going to stay in contention with the home side as, after 10 ends, the scores were level at 55 each but, after 20 ends played, Suffolk had a 19-shot advantage, winning on three of the six rinks.

But with Bernard Firman, David Canfer and Barry Creasey then failing to score on their rink for 11 of the remaining 12 ends it became a concern but, with Ivan Doe, Daniel Staff and Phillip Nunn more than holding their own as they scored 19 shots to four in their remaining 12 ends to win their rink 43-13 and the presentation spoons, it was enough with the other two winning rinks to win the game by 16 shots.

Mark Baker, Keith Fox and Errol Feaveayear were unlucky not to win their rink as they went into the last end all square and holding shot on the last end, only for the opposing skip to turn it out with the last wood of the match on that rink.

With Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Suffolk all now having lost a game, this puts the Southern Section of the Newton Trophy wide open.

The selectors have had to make one forced change for the visit to North Essex on Saturday, with Shaun Cook coming in for Daniel Staff, who is on holiday, and Derek Rookyard as reserve.

The Adams team are playing at Haverhill BC and the Newton team at Radwinter BC, both games starting at 2pm.

Adams Trophy

Suffolk 186 (16pts)

Lincolnshire 157 (6pts)

Suffolk first:

S Ayers R Utteridge D Brown 32, M Asplen 26

A Brunton K Farman C McIntyre 46, K Porter 9

P Utting J Simms M Page 27, T Bannister 33

M Cole D Cattermole (Stradbroke) S Wildon 23, S Asplen 25;

D Cattermole (Thorndon) B Thorpe D Rayfield 35, P Wiles 26;

J Summons N Bunn J Bugg 23, G Parker 28.

Newton Trophy

Suffolk 175 (16pts)

Lincolnshire 159 (6pts)

Suffolk first:

I Doe D Staff P Nunn 43, C Dexter 13

M Bullock K Crabbe W Elliston 35, B Veasey 22

M Baker K Fox E Feveayear 26, S Francis 28

R Parker C Baker P Dixon 30, E Cherry 25

B Firman D Canfer B Creasey 13, D Adcock 40;

P Cullum K Halls I Page 28, K Stevenson 31.