County bowlers launch title defence

GREATER Manchester begin the defence of their Endsleigh County Championship against Derbyshire on Sunday (2pm).

The home leg will be held at Springhead where the two stand-out matches see Darren Griffiths take on Dale Spragg and Mark Dwayre play Dale’s brother, Andy.

The away leg will be held at Stretton BC, Burton-on-Trent.

The draw is:

At Springhead: Darren Griffiths v Dale Spragg; Andy Buckley v Jon Guess; David Walker v Brian Hill; Matt Gillies v Andy Milsom; Paul Heap v Paul Stretton; Colin Lane v Ian Johnson; Nick Brooks v Richard Peach; Michael Holden v Paul Mottram; John Wade v Keith Fantom; Ryan Goodman v Paul Hawker; Peter Craig v Mark Whelan; Mark Dwayre v Andy Spragg.

At Stretton: Andy Cairns v Steve Adams; Nigel Greenhalgh v David May; Chris Hayes v Brian Smith; Mike Gee v Dave Allsop; John Bancroft v Darren Carter; Steve Copeland v Neil Worthington; Gary Ellis v Matt Kelly-Wally; Chris Haynes v Darren Smith; Colin Price v Calvin Jackson; Alan Hodson v Andy Fearn; Gareth Gwilliam v Paul Chamberlain; Lee Turner v John Dewey.


ONLY a 14 places remain in this year’s Oldham Evening Chronicle Handicap.

The first 64 entries are being accepted and the first qualifying night, Friday, June 5, is almost full.

Heats for that evening will take place at Nimble Nook and Royton, while the other qualifiers will be held on the following Friday, June 12, at Crompton and Delph.

The finals will be held at North Chadderton SC on Saturday, July 11.

To enter, simply fill in the entry form on this page and send it, with fee of £5, to Bob Nisbet at the address provided.


THERE are still vacancies in Norden BC’s Brennan Paving mixed pairs on Sundays May 10, 17 and 24. For more details, ring Steve or Jean on 01706 527219 or 0776 7674699.

GREATER Manchester’s heats in the Dorothy Piearce pairs will be held at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club on Sunday, July 12 (11am).

Entry is £8 per pair, open to members of British Crown Green-affiliated clubs and winners will qualify for the national finals at Irlam Steel on August 8.

Entries must be sent, by May 27, to: Mrs A Hollas, 17, Beaufont Drive, Roundthorn, Oldham, OL4 5LL. Tel: 0161 652 8760.



TONGE have moved into second place, only six points behind leaders Lower Hopton with a game in hand, after beating the Railway, Congleton, 12-1.5 in the Manchester Premier League last night.

Their winners were Matt Gillies (21-18), Mark Dwayre (21-19), Lawrence Hallett (21-10), Nick Brooks (21-12), Colin Lane (21-16), David May (21-8), Darren Griffiths (21-15), Thomas Dobson (21-6) and Gary Ellis (21-12).