Norfolk's hopes of progressing to the finals of the EBF inter-county bowls competitions melted away in the hot sun on Saturday against Northamptonshire.

Norfolk's hopes of progressing to the finals of the EBF inter-county bowls competitions melted away in the hot sun on Saturday against Northamptonshire. The Adams Trophy team lost 149-172 at Whittlesey Manor BC, taking only four of the 22 points at stake. The Newton Trophy side lost 159-161 (six points) in a close encounter at Peterborough Parkway, where had led by 17 shots at 20 ends.

Adams Trophy individual rink scores: S Reynolds, R Greef and I Whiley lost 22-30; W Burrage, M Reynolds and C Lawrence lost 28-34; D Wiseman, J Morrison and M Chapman won 30-28; T Mant, S Elliott and A Manson lost 16-33; D Webb, N Browne and D Curtis won 33-21; A Sayer, C woodcock and G Todhunter lost 20-26.

Newton Trophy individual rink scores: B Nurse, R Booth and P Grimes won 29-27; F Ray, D Cole and N Blyth lost 22-30; C Carter, M Bird and P Randall on 33-28; R Bunton, D Sherman and N Raven won 30-21; S Bunton, B Meeks and D Brawn lost 21-26; M Elliott, D Filby and G Mayhew lost 24-29.

Norfolk's last games of the season are on Saturday (2pm) against Suffolk, with the Adams team at Cawston BC and the Newton side at Lakeside BC.

Costessey Private are eight points clear in the Premier Division of the NCBC County League after retaining their unbeaten record with a 40-shot win over Reepham Private.

Cawston overcame bottom team Stalham by 35 shots to stay top of Area A, where Suffield Park A are second after beating Holt by nine shots. Melton Constable, the Sub Area A leaders, claimed the maximum nine points from a 25-shot win at Bacton.

Blofield Heath beat Ormesby Reds by 22 shots to go top of Area B by one point from Hickling, who won by 28 shots against Acle St Edmunds.

Winterton beat Caister Centurions by 25 shots to edge to the top of Sub Area B above Gaymers, who lost to South Walsham Mallards by four shots.

Heartsease St Francis lead Area C by only two points after they beat Hethersett Social by five shots for seven points, while second-placed Woodbastwick Woodpeckers won by 54 shots at Lakeside for all nine points.

Marham head Area D by three points from Bircham, who lost to Gaywood Park A by four shots, while the top two in Sub Area D both won, Gaywood Park B beating House on the Green B and Docking overcoming River Lane B. Cawston A went top of Sub Area E with a 27-shot victory in their match against Costessey Private B.

Cromer Marrams Bowls Club celebrated their 70th anniversary with a match against local rivals Suffield Park, who celebrated their 70th birthday last year. Captain David Russell awarded best rink prizes after the match, which Marrams won.