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Live Reporting

Stuart Bailey

All times stated are UK

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  1. By James Law

    BBC Sport

    Exeter

    Exeter run in six tries to ease past Northampton and move level on points with Premiership leaders Wasps.

    Read more
    next
  2. That's it for this week

    Stuart Bailey

    BBC News

    Thanks for joining us this week. It's been quite a day with all the fall-out from David Mackintosh's decision not to stand again in his Northampton South seat.

    Have a great bank holiday weekend and we'll be back again on Tuesday.

    David Mackintosh
  3. Weather: Mostly dry overnight with small chance of rain

    BBC Weather

    It will be mostly dry overnight with variable amounts of cloud and just the small chance of an isolated light shower.

    There will be light winds, and it is likely to turn chilly in any clearer periods.  

    Brixworth

    The picture was taken by BBC Weather Watcher 'summermonth' and shows Brixworth.

    For a full forecast visit BBC Weather.

  4. O'Toole signs new Cobblers contract

    Caroline Densley

    BBC Radio Northampton sport

    Northampton Town midfielder, John-Joe O'Toole, has signed a new two-year contract with the club. 

    He joined the Cobblers in summer 2014, has scored 26 goals in just over 100 starts for the club and was named player of the year during their League Two-winning season.

    John Joe O'Toole

    O'Toole's had surgery to sort out his groin injury and is recovering ahead of pre-season. 

    He said: "I'm delighted to sign. I think it's a good club and it's heading in the right direction. 

    "I've got a good relationship with the fans and I'm glad it's done now so that I can look ahead to next season."

    Manager Justin Edinburgh said: "We knew there would be a lot of interest in him so we were very keen to get John-Joe's future secured early and we are delighted to have done just that.

    "Goalscoring midfielders are very hard to come by and John-Joe won us some big matches this season with some very important goals.

    "His all-round game was also very impressive and I have been delighted with his attitude and commitment to the club."

  5. David ready for half marathon despite motor neurone disease

    Stuart Bailey

    BBC News

    A man from Northampton, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2015, will take part in the Milton Keynes half marathon this Bank Holiday Monday. 

    David Solomon will be pushed in his wheelchair by a team from Northampton Road Runners, where he remains a member.

    David Solomon

    Motor neurone disease attacks cells in the brain and severely affects speech and mobility.

    David and his team are raising money for Cynthia Spencer Hospice, which supports him.

    He said: "My attitude towards the disease hasn't changed. I can't beat it, but I'm not going to let it beat me. 

    "My outlook is to do what you can, while you can, when you can and have a bit of fun and enjoy it."

  6. Parties react to UKIP election deal with Kettering MP

    Stuart Bailey

    BBC News

    As we reported earlier, UKIP won't be fielding a candidate in Kettering for the general election in June after agreeing a deal with the current Conservative MP, Philip Hollobone.

    UKIP and Philip Hollobone memorandum of understanding

    Here's the reaction from Labour and the Liberal Democrats:

    Quote Message: I think Philip Hollobone's and UKIP's policies have been close for a while so it's no surprise they've decided to unite. It gives voters a clear choice between one person who'd like a hard Brexit and a candidate who'd prefer to stay in the single market." from Suzanna Austin Liberal Democrat candidate, Kettering
    Suzanna AustinLiberal Democrat candidate, Kettering
    Quote Message: It's a strange one, really. I think a lot of people voted UKIP not because they were looking to come out of the EU, but because they wanted a change and were fed up of being told what to do by politicians. And now UKIP are telling people who to vote for." from Rob Reeves Green Party candidate, Kettering
    Rob ReevesGreen Party candidate, Kettering
    Quote Message: I can't help but be pleased because it's going to benefit Labour. A lot of Labour voters had previously voted for UKIP and possibly won't be too keen on voting Conservative, so we're hoping they can come back to us." from Mick Scrimsaw Leader of the Labour group on Kettering Borough Council
    Mick ScrimsawLeader of the Labour group on Kettering Borough Council
  7. The rugby team in a football final

    #PeoplesCup

    You don't even need to be a football team to play in the FA People's Cup.

    LBoro Rangers are a group of university students who are taking part in the Higher Education category......

    Video content

    Video caption: LBoro Rangers will be in action in the Higher Education finals on Sunday

    Catch up with what's been going on in the FA People's Cup so far - and follow live coverage of the FA People's Cup finals on Sunday, 30 April and Monday, 1 May.

  8. Cobblers boss ready for trip to former club

    Caroline Densley

    BBC Radio Northampton sport

    Northampton Town manager, Justin Edinburgh, admits they've not had to do much homework on Sunday's opposition, as they welcome Gillingham to Sixfields.

    The Gills are just above the League One relegation zone, and have a better goal difference than Port Vale, who are fourth from bottom and just a point below them, but it's all to play for going into the last game of the season.

    Sixfields stadium in Northampton.

    Edinburgh knows what to expect from the Kent side, having managed them until January. 

    He said: "No doubt they'll be professional and focused on the job whether or not they're safe.

    "We're fully aware of what the opposition threats are on Sunday.

    "We're quite privileged that we don't have to do much research."

  9. Saints boss optimistic ahead of 'toughest' tie

    Graham McKechnie

    BBC Radio Northampton sport

    Northampton Saints have their last away trip of the season tomorrow afternoon, and it's one of the longest. 

    They're in Devon to face Exeter - one of the most formidable challenges of the season. 

    Exeter are second in the table and have won their last five matches with bonus points. 

    Sandy Park, Exeter

    Saints, who are sixth, are likely to be without George North, Louis Picamoles and Stephen Myler.

    Director of rugby, Jim Mallinder, said: "It's one of the toughest places to go and play.

    "It's a big open pitch, often quite windy, and they play a particular type of game where they like to play with width and with a bit of a pod system.

    "They've been scoring tries and they're a difficult team to beat, but we go down there in good spirits and full of optimism."

  10. Reaction to David Mackintosh MP standing down

    Stuart Bailey

    BBC News

    We reported earlier that the Conservative MP for Northampton South, David Mackintosh, has ruled himself out of June's general election.

    Here's how the other major parties have reacted to the news.

    David Mackintosh MP.
    Quote Message: We look forward to engaging with whichever candidate goes forward from the Conservatives. The branch itself feels like this should help UKIP to increase its vote in Northampton South but we haven't selected a candidate yet." from Rose Gibbins Chair, UKIP Northampton
    Rose GibbinsChair, UKIP Northampton
    Quote Message: Nobody but the Liberal Democrats can take this seat and, as far as Labour are concerned, they've simply lost their way under Corbyn. We are the proper opposition to the Tories and I'd love to do that on behalf of the people of Northampton." from Jill Hope Liberal Democrat candidate, Northampton South
    Jill HopeLiberal Democrat candidate, Northampton South
    Quote Message: Let's not pretend he did it of his own accord. He jumped before he was pushed and it's a shame the electorate can't give their verdict on his performance. We're pushing on with our own campaign about public services and the Tories' impact on the standard of living." from Kevin McKeever Likely Labour candidate, Northampton South:
    Kevin McKeeverLikely Labour candidate, Northampton South:
    Quote Message: The Conservative Party probably knew it would have been very difficult to defend the seat had David Mackintosh been the candidate. We'll be selecting a candidate next week, hoping for someone who is able to speak out about green issues and influence the contest." from Steve Miller Coordinator and secretary, Northamptonshire Green Party
    Steve MillerCoordinator and secretary, Northamptonshire Green Party
  11. A look at the papers

    Stuart Bailey

    BBC News

    Elsewhere in Northamptonshire:

  12. Afternoon weather: Cloudy but mostly dry

    BBC Weather

    Cloud will tend to increase across Northamptonshire through the afternoon, but most places should stay dry.

    Highs of 11C (52F).

    Weather forecast for Northampton, Friday afternoon.

    Looking ahead to the bank holiday weekend, Saturday will be another mostly dry day with sunny spells developing and just the odd light shower possible.

    Sunday will be bright and breezy to start with, but with a chance of rain later.

    Rather cloudy on Monday with some rain for a time, though winds will ease.

    Click here for more from BBC Weather.

  13. Your pictures: A mostly cloudy Friday in Northamptonshire

    BBC Weather Watchers

    The sun made a bit of an appearance early doors, but it's been rather cloudy since. Our BBC Weather Watchers have, as usual, been busy capturing the county in all its glory:

    Sunrise over a canal in Northampton.
    Sunrise over a field in Irthlingborough.
    Cloudy skies over a field in Pattishall.
    Cloudy skies over parkland in Brixworth.

    For a full forecast, visit BBC Weather.

  14. Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be.....

    #PeoplesCup

    Images from the 2017 FA People's Cup

    ....there'll be just under a hundred teams taking part in the FA People's Cup finals this weekend hoping to book their trip to Wembley.

    Each of the winners in the 16 categories in the free five-a-side competition will win tickets to the FA Cup final on 27 May, where they will be presented with their trophies.

    You can catch up with what's been going on in the competition here - and you'll be able to follow live coverage from the finals in Birmingham on Sunday and Monday.

  15. Northants head coach reflects on 'disappointing performance'

    Alex Winter

    BBC Radio Northampton sport

    It was a poor start for Northamptonshire in the Royal London Cup yesterday. 

    They were thrashed in their opening match of the 50-over competition, losing to Warwickshire by ten wickets in a group match cut to 30 overs a side. 

    Rob Keogh made 69 not out as Northamptonshire were all out for 151. 

    Warwickshire openers William Porterfield and Sam Hain knocked them off with four overs to spare. 

    Wantage Road cricket ground in Northampton

    Head coach, David Ripley, concedes that his side's performance wasn't good enough.

    He said: "We just haven't come out the blocks at all though we've had the sharp end of the conditions. 

    "We would liked to have bowled first and obviously we had to stop-start through our innings and we were never quite able to build any partnerships.

    "We would have preferred to have had it the other way round but the level of our performance was way down from where we expect it to be and that has been reflected in being very well beaten."

    They're next in action on Sunday afternoon in the Royal London Cup when they face Derbyshire at Derby.

    I'll be bringing you full commentary on the BBC Sport website.

  16. Former Northampton South MP to stand again 'if wanted'

    Stuart Bailey

    BBC News

    Brian Binley, the previous MP for Northampton South, has said he would run for office again if asked by the Conservative Party.

    It's after current MP, David Mackintosh, announced he would not be standing in June's general election.

    Former Northampton South MP, Brian Binley.

    Mr Binley held the Northampton South seat for 10 years before retiring in 2015.

    He said: "I will stand if I'm wanted, if I can be of any help, if the party thinks that I can help them to win this seat and give Theresa May as strong a base as possible for the Brexit negotiations.

    "I'm not looking for it, but if my party thinks it is useful for me to stand then I am happy to answer the call."