Hodson launches title defence

ALAN HODSON begins the defence of his Oldham Evening Chronicle Bowling Handicap title at Royton tonight.

Hodson had been due to take on Hopwood’s Ryan Goodman, but the Greater Manchester player has been suffering from severe back problems and will not be taking part.

Also in Hodson’s eight is John Wade, the competition winner in 2006.

The other half of the draw at Royton features a clash between last year’s runner-up, Peter Fielding, and three-times champion Steve Copeland.

Over at Nimble Nook, 2004 competition winner Mark Dwayre launches his campaign with a first-round game against Darren Mountford.

And competition president John Lord, a finals-night qualifier for the last two years, takes on Phil Wakeling.

Play starts at 6.30pm, with practice from 6pm.

There will be two qualifiers at both venues for the finals at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club on Saturday, July 11.

Draw:

NIMBLE NOOK

D Mountford (North Chadderton) handicap 3 v M Dwayre (Royton) 2; C Chapman (Hopwood) 2 v G Flint (North Chadderton) 3; S Bentley North Chadderton) 3 v G Shaw (Springbank) 2; R Kelly (Hollinwood Cricket) 4 v J Anderson (Royton) 3; A Jackson (Chadderton Cot) 4 v J Mountford (North Chadderton) 3; A Bidwell (Springbank) 2 v J Ramsbottom (Royton) 3; B Cooper (Royton) 5 v T Gowers (Springbank) 4; J Lord (Delph) 3 v Phil Wakeling (North Chadderton) 4.

ROYTON CRICKET

C Kewley (Nimble Nook) 5 v J Wade (Syke) 2; A Whiteley (Wrigley Mill) 3 v L Roberts (Springbank) 2; A Hodson (Springbank) scr v R Goodman (Hopwood) 2; R Nisbet (Nimble Nook) 3 v S McHugh (Hopwood) 2; A Smallwood (Nimble Nook) 4 v D Williams (Chadderton Hall Park) 4; K McHugh (Hopwood) 2 v M McDermott (Springbank) 2; P Fielding (Syke) 1 v S Copeland (Springbank) 2; G Woolley (Springbank) 2 v L Kewley (Star) 4.


GREATER Manchester have a must-win County Championship match against Shropshire on Sunday (2pm).

After losing to Derbyshire in their opening fixture, the reigning champions face an uphill task in their bid to reach this season’s semi-finals.

The home venue is Crompton, where Hopwood’s Paul Wakeling makes his debut.

Waterloo and Taunton’s Paul Leah makes his county bow in the away side to play at Pontesbury BC.

At Crompton (Manchester names first): Darren Griffiths v Charlie Weaver; Steve Copeland v Andrew Moss; Chris Heyes v Chris Grocott; Matt Gillies v Alan Davidson; Paul Heap v Spencer Clarke; Andy Buckley v Glyn Picknell; Paul Wakeling v Keith Wall; Peter Craig v Martin Lloyd; Chris Haynes v Colin Beaman; Nick Brooks v Alan Palin; Alan Hodson v Derek Wright; Mark Dwayre v Ian Gaut.

At Pontesbury BC: Jimmy Derby v Wayne Phillips; Andy Cairns v Rich Goddard; Nigel Greenhalgh v Glyn Herbert; David Walker v Dave Hoffman; Ryan Goodman v Simon Parsonage; John Wade v Clay Flattley; Paul Leah v Callum Wraight; John Bancroft v Mike Beer; Colin Price v Paul Williams; Gareth Gwilliam v Andy Duckett; Gary Ellis v Adrian Rowe; Lee Turner v Wayne Rogers.


TONGE maintained their Manchester Premier League title push with a 9-6 victory at home to Garswood Hall.

Winners for Tonge were Mark Dwayre (21-9), Steve Squire (21-19), Darren Griffiths (21-12), Gary Ellis (21-11), Nick Brooks (21-18) and Thomas Dobson (21-19).

Tonge travel to Stockport next Wednesday (7.30pm) to take on mid-table side Nursery Inn.


THE £3,000 Moorside Classic has vacancies on July 31 (three) and August 14 (one). The finals will take place on August 21.

To secure a place, ring Geoff Woolley on 0161 633 5325.