Tonge aces lead Parks challenge

TEAM MEMBER: Oldham Evening Chronicle Handicap winner Alan Hodson.

A STRONG Oldham contingent are in action on Sunday (2pm) when Central Lancs and Pennines continue their bid for a fourth successive British Parks title with a semi-final against East Midlands.

Tonge’s Colin Lane, Steve Copeland and Mark Dwayre are in action in the home leg at Crompton, along with Oldham Evening Chronicle Handicap winner Alan Hodson (Springbank) and Royton’s Barry Kitson.

The away leg will be held at Belvedere Park.

At Crompton BC (Central names first): Peter Craig v Terry Cutting; Colin Lane v Matt Kelly-Walley; Steve Copeland v Naz Worthington; Mike Holden v Daz Smith; Alan Hodson v Paul Stretton; Barry Kitson v Simon Mills; Keith McHugh v Kev Tilling; John Wade v David May; Barry Collinge v Phil May; Thomas Dobson v John Dewey; Andy Cairns v Lee Bartram; Mark Dwayre v Paul Chamberlain.

At Belvedere: Andy Lowe v Steve Adams; Paul Heap v Daz Carter; Dave Scott v Graham Bailey; Peter Fielding v Andy Fearn; Tim Holt v Rich Goldby; Keith Howarth v Jason Anguish; John Taylor v John Insley; Michael Clough v Brian Jordan; Peter Stott v Alan Johnson; Nicky Brooks v Brian Smith; Ian Holden v Jim Shorthouse; Darren Holt v Wally Redfern.




THE Failsworth League’s President’s Trophy finals will be held at Royton on Sunday (noon) when the players involved are:

A Bonter (Dog and Partridge, handicap 5); D Branford (Failsworth Libs, 5); C Roberts (Lime St, 2); R Nisbet (Nimble Nook, 3); C Brooks (Royton, scr); A Hodson (Springbank, 2); B Seville (Stanley Road, 2); N Armstrong (St Pauls, 3).




TONGE’S improved form in the Manchester Premier League continued when they blitzed Yorkshire outfit Longwood 12-1.5 (209-120).

Darren Griffiths snatched the kitty with a 21-5 victory, while there were also wins for Mark Dwayre (21-11), Jimmy Derby (21-8), Matt Gillies (21-19), Nicky Brooks (21-10), Colin Lane (21-10), Thomas Dobson (21-10), Barry Walker (21-18) and Gary Ellis (21-8).

Tonge’s next match is at champions-elect Lloyds Hotel, Chorlton, next Wednesday (7.30pm).




FINAL heats in the £3,000 Moorside Classic take place tonight (6.30pm) when the draw is:

Craig Hill v Paul Firth; Steven Leach v Dave Carpenter; Darren Griffiths v Chris Baker; Terry Glover v John Dewey; Dave Carter v Robert Thompson; Kevin Tilling v Peter Consterdine; Chris Livesey v Peter Fielding; John Lord v Les Haylor.




TOTTINGTON BC have vacancies in their £420 floodlit mixed pairs next month.

There are places available on September 22, 23, 24 and 25 (6.30pm start). The finals will be held on September 26 (6.30).

Entry fee is £10 (cheques payable to Tottington Conservative Club) and should go, with SAE and choice of date, to: Deb Flint, 20 Holly Street, Tottington, Bury, BL8 3EZ. Tel: 01204 884635.




NORDEN BC’s Your Choice men’s singles gets under way on Sunday (6pm) when Failsworth’s Alan Bidwell and Tony Johnstone and Springbank’s Paul Heap are among the 16 players in action.




PETER Tilley, a top local player and former Greater Manchester regular, has died, after a long illness, at the age of 78.

Mr Tilley represented Crime View and the Dog and Partridge in the Chadderton League for many years, and was a county player, captain and selector.

GREATER Manchester juniors continued on an upward curve with a solid performance in the county supplementary competition at Grange Sports and Social Club.

Manchester lost by a single chalk to Derbyshire, defeated Cheshire by 11 and went down by two chalks to Wales.

Manchester’s top performers were Jonathan Copeland, who registered 21-14, 21-3 and 21-15 wins, James Jones (21-15 and 21-20 successes) and Matthew Ashton (21-20 and 21-15 victories).

Yorkshire beat Wales in the final.