Rain washes out Chron bowlers

Photo: Picture by DARREN ROBINSON.

FRIDAY’S torrential rain ended hopes of play in the Evening Chronicle Bowls Handicap, leaving bowls tournament entrant Alf Smallwood to inspect a waterlogged green at Royton.

FRIDAY’S torrential rain washed out any chance of play on the opening night of the Oldham Evening Chronicle Bowling Handicap.

Royton and Nimble Nook resembled lakes rather than bowling greens so the competition organisers took an early-evening decision to put back the heats at both venues a fortnight to Friday, June 19.

Competition chairman Keith McHugh said: “This will inevitably prevent one or two players from taking part as they have other commitments on that night.

“But there was simply nothing we could do. Neither green was fit for play and substantial damage could have been caused to both greens had we gone ahead.

“Fortunately, there is a sufficient gap between the heats and the finals at North Chadderton on July 11 to enable us to switch Friday’s games to a later date.

“I am sorry for entrants who won’t be able to compete on the new date, but the one thing we can’t control is the weather.”