County bowlers lose grip on title

GREATER Manchester’s hopes of retaining their County Championship title disappeared when they lost to Shropshire by 23 chalks yesterday.

Having already been beaten by Derbyshire in their opening group match, Manchester knew they could afford no slip-ups on this occasion.

But Shropshire played well at both venues to deliver a fatal blow to Manchester’s hopes.

Manchester won by 11 chalks at their home green of Crompton, but lost by 34 at Pontesbury BC, where two of their most experienced players, Lee Turner and Colin Price, were 21-4 losers.

Jonathan Copeland (Nimble Nook) made his debut for Manchester at the age of 16, but lost 21-7 at Crompton to an inspired Glyn Picknell.

Another debutant, Hopwood’s Paul Wakeling, lost 21-18 to Keith Wall, while a third player making his bow, Waterloo and Taunton’s Paul Leah, was beaten 21-7 away by the highly-rated Callum Wraight.

Springbank’s Paul Heap was Manchester’s best winner at Crompton, recording a 21-6 verdict against Spencer Clarke, while Tonge’s Jimmy Derby led the way in Shropshire with a 21-8 defeat of Wayne Phillips.

Scores:

At Crompton (Manchester names first): Darren Griffiths 21, Charlie Weaver 12; Steve Copeland 21, Andrew Moss 19; Chris Heyes 14, Chris Grocott 21; Matt Gillies 21, Alan Davidson 17; Paul Heap 21, Spencer Clarke 6; Jonathan Copeland 7, Glyn Picknell 21; Paul Wakeling 18, Keith Wall 21; Peter Craig 21, Martin Lloyd 16; Chris Haynes 14, Colin Beaman 21; Nick Brooks 21, Alan Palin 17; Alan Hodson 18, Derek Wright 21; Mark Dwayre 21, Ian Gaut 15. Manchester 218, Shropshire 207.

At Pontesbury: Jimmy Derby 21, Wayne Phillips 8; Andy Cairns 21, Rich Goodard 12; Nigel Greenhalgh 10, Glen Herbert 21; David Walker 21, Dave Hoffman 14; Jack Hargreaves 10, Simon Parsonage 21; John Wade 12, Clay Flattley 21; Paul Leah 7, Callum Wraight 21; John Bancroft 21, Mike Beer 18; Colin Price 4, Paul Williams 21; Gareth Gwilliam 21, Andy Duckett 12; Gary Ellis 21, Adrian Rowe 17; Lee Turner 4, Wayne Rogers 21. Manchester 173, Shropshire 207.

Overall: Manchester 391, Shropshire 414.