County aim for last-four

GREATER Manchester need only avoid a 23-points defeat at the hands of Yorkshire on Sunday (2pm) in order to reach the semi-finals of the Endsleigh County Championship.

In the two group games so far, Manchester have beaten South Yorkshire convincingly, while Yorkshire suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of their White Rose rivals.

Yorkshire have gambled by putting most of their eggs in the away basket at Springbank BC.

Among a powerful line-up are top players Graeme Wilson, Lee Lawton, Paul Sigsworth, Robert Hitchen and Chris Mordue.

Alverthorpe Working Men’s Club, Wakefield, is Yorkshire’s home venue and a strong Manchester team will be aiming to inflict plenty of damage.

Skipper Andrew Buckley said: “We have one of two players missing, but we should still have enough quality in the squad to qualify.”

Draw (at Springbank, Manchester players first): Steve Copeland v Paul Sigsworth; Darren Griffiths v Steven Haigh; Colin Lane v Lee Lawton; David Walker v Graeme Wilson; Nicky Brooks v Steven Hirst; Matt Gillies v Nicky White; Chris Heyes v Robert Hitchen; Ryan Goodman v Chris Mordue; Peter Fielding v Nathan Webster; John Wade v Nigel Cranston; David Thornley v Graham Hickey; Peter Craig v Gary Smith.

At Alverthorpe: Jimmy Derby v Ronnie Wormald; Andy Cairns v Peter Jagger; Nigel Greenhalgh v Scott Fisher; Laurence Hallett v Craig Newton; Andy Buckley v Wayne Moseley; Mike Gee v Josh Pitt; Andrew Lowe v Rob Lloyd; Glen Beeley v Graham Higgins; Alan Hodson v David Fisher; Colin Price v Mick Robinson; Gary Ellis v Gary Ammatt; Lee Turner v Steve Pinfield.




TONGE’S indifferent form in the Manchester Premier League continued when they lost 10-4.5 (189-151) to title hopefuls St Joseph’s of Chorley.



Jimmy Derby starred with a 21-5 victory, but only Paul Dudley (21-17) and John Birtwistle (21-20) could provide the necessary support.

Tonge are at home to Lower Hopton next Wednesday (7.30pm).




NIMBLE Nook’s Darren Griffiths, the 2005 champion, cruised through to the last 16 of this year’s Vital Services Classic at New Street, Littleborough, with a 21-11 demolition of dual Yorkshire Merit champion Graham Hickey.



Also through is Springbank’s Martin Hodson, Heywood’s Clive Chapman and Mirfield’s Paul Firth.

Heats continue on Sunday (1pm).




OLDHAM’S Harold Dyson and Peter Guilfoyle are in action in the heats of Norden BC’s Thwaites men’s pairs competition on Sunday (5.30pm).



Jean Ashton and Dorothy Ashton (Royton) will carry local hopes in the A C Ventilation women’s pairs at the same time and venue.




PREPARATIONS are being made for the finals of the Oldham Evening Chronicle Handicap on Saturday week (6pm).



For the first time, the finals will be held at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club.