Impressive Tonge back on top

TONGE returned to the top of the Manchester Premier League following their excellent 13.5-3 (195–175) victory at Tottington.

Winners for the local side were Stuart Mort (21-11), Jimmy Derby (21-14), Gary Ellis (21-15), Nicky Brooks (21-16), Andrew Cairns (21-18), Matt Gillies (21-19) and Steve Squire (21-19).

Tonge’s next game is at Altrincham side Budenberg next Wednesday (7.30pm).


NIMBLE Nook and Tonge brothers Gary and Greg Ellis will carry local hopes in the finals of the Greater Manchester Merit at the Eagle and Child, Whitefield, tomorrow.


The draw for the last 16 is:
Noon: David Walker v Keith McHugh, Andrew Jones v Paul Dudley, John Birtwistle v Dave O’Brien, Gareth Gwilliam v John Bancroft.

12.45pm: Greg Ellis v Alan Hodson, Clive Chapman v Paul Harrison, Ian Rhodes v David Williams, Gary Ellis v Carl Jones.


GARY Ellis and team-mate Darren Griffiths are among the 16 finalists chasing a first prize of £500 in the J W Lees Classic at Hopwood Unionist Club on Sunday (4pm).

Ellis plays Bury’s John Pearson, while Griffiths takes on Graham Hickey of Halifax.

Rest of the draw:

Jack Hargreaves (Hyde) v Gary Coverdale (Middleton), Gareth Gwilliam (Hyde) v Charlie Bebbington (Warrington), Peter Craig (Rochdale) v Alec Heaps (Warrington), Chris Morrison (Bury) v Matt Jones (Stockport), Steve Hargreaves (Hyde) v Chris Brown (Sheffield), Graeme Wilson (Audenshaw) v Mike Gee (Hyde).


THE Failsworth League’s President’s Handicap finals will be held at Lees and Hey on Sunday.


Qualifiers are:

D Thornley (Dobcross) 4, S Wild (Lees and Hey) scr, R Nisbet (Nimble Nook) 5, J Rudkin (North Chadderton) 4, P Heap (Springbank) 2, Michael Hodson (Springbank) 2, G Shaw (Springbank) 2, N Armstrong (St Paul’s) 2.


A VACANCY has arisen in the Inbev Winter Bowling League at Chadderton Cot following Radcliffe’s decision to withdraw.


Any team interested in filling this place should contact Alf Harrison on (0161) 688 9647 or 07811 309716.


GREATER Manchester women take on Shropshire on Sunday (2pm) when the home venue is Alkrington BC, Middleton.



Local players in action are Diane Bowker (Oldham RU), Rachel Fish, Karen Houlston and Eileen Dawson (Delph), Alma Tickle (Coalshaw) and Chris Kewley (Springbank).

Springbank’s Janelle Pertoldi is in the away team in Shropshire.


ENTRIES for the Veterans’ Indoor League must be received by July 3.

Any teams intending to withdraw from the league are asked to contact Christine Griffiths on (0161) 624 5915 as soon as possible.


OLDHAM’S H Lewis and M Hicklin lost 21-7 to Rochdale’s D Craig and C Ashton in the second round of the A C Ventilation women’s pairs at Norden BC.

Heats in this competition and the Thwaites men’s pairs continue at Norden on Sunday (5.30pm).

There are still a few vacancies in both events. For more details, ring Steve or Jean on 0776 7674699.


RESULTS from the Oldham Veterans Indoor Bowling League are:

Lazerlyes 9, Bank Top 13, Graduates 10, Moorside 8; Drifters 11, Simpson Memorial 14; British Aerospace 11, Hr Failsworth 6; Wobblers 12, Firth Steel 10; Green Team 4, First Timers 21.