Tonge wrap up superb double

TONGE bowlers completed a magnificent double when they won the BCGBA Club Championship at Severnside BC, Shrewsbury, yesterday.

Winners of the British Team title at Irlam a week earlier, Tonge came through a field of 16 of Britain’s top clubs to win the £400 top prize and prestigious trophy.

In doing so, they became only the second club to win both the Irlam and BCGBA events in the same season, Altrincham outfit Budenbergs being the other.

Tonge defeated West Kirby Vics (Merseyside) 148-127 in the first round, Swadlingcote Catholics (Derbyshire) 143-129 in the quarter-finals, and the George, Birmingham (Midlands) 143-129 in the semis.

Pitched against Cheshire champions Sale XL in the final, Tonge were comfortable 150-126 winners.

Gary Ellis won all four of his games for Tonge, registering 21-9, 21-14, 21-11 and 21-8 verdicts.

Mark Dwayre, Colin Lane and Darren Griffiths won three games, Matt Gillies and Thomas Dobson two, and Dave Crabtree and Eric Redford one.