Manchester earn superb victory

GREATER Manchester made the perfect start to their County Championship campaign with a fine victory over a strong South Yorkshire outfit.

Manchester had seven winners in a 21-chalks success at Springhead, and five men on target in their 15-chalks victory in the away leg at Davy Sports BC, Sheffield.

David Walker led the way at home with a 21-7 victory at a time when the match was in the balance.

But the decisive blows were struck away by Andrew Lowe (21-3) and the in-form Gareth Gwilliam (21-5) as Manchester grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

At Springhead (Manchester names first): D Griffiths 15, C Brown 21; C Lane 21, T Barrass 12; S Copeland 20, R Norris 21; A Buckley 21, N Copping 11; N Brooks 13, A Farmer 21; M Gillies 14, D Stevenson 21; D Thornley 21, K Nixon 19; P Heap 21, C Hill 19; D Walker 21, A Davidson 7; P Craig 21, M Beever 13; J Wade 13, M Farmer 21; M Dwayre 21, A Turner 15. Manchester 222, South Yorkshire 201. Manchester man of the match: Paul Heap.

At Sheffield: J Derby 21, P Worfolk 11; A Cairns 21, A Sorsby 9; M Bacon 9, M Bower 21; M Gee 7, C Kelly 21; G Ellis 20, R Howson 21; G Beeley 18, A Whitaker 21; C Haynes 14, E Wearing 21; A Lowe 21, R Clark 3; C Price 17, R Swift 21; A Hodson 18, J Clarke 21; G Gwilliam 21, G Davies 5; L Turner 21, G Ainley 18. Manchester 208, South Yorkshire 193. Manchester man of the match: Gareth Gwilliam.

Overall: Manchester 430, South Yorkshire 394.
     




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