Top-form bowling

OLDHAM-based bowlers were in top form as Central Lancs and Pennines defeated Greater Manchester 19-12 in their second British Parks match of the season.

In the home leg at Walsden, Springbank’s Steve Copeland won 21-18, while the away matches at Flixton Cricket Club saw victories for his team-mate Alan Hodson (21–17), Nimble Nook’s Matt Gillies (21-19) and Tonge’s Nicky Brooks (21-16).

Two other Springbank players, Llew Roberts and Paul Heap, had creditable scores of 20 away from home, while Tonge’s Steve Squire won 21-14 for Greater Manchester at Walsden.

Should Central win their final game against East Midlands, they will almost certainly be crowned British champions for the fourth time in five seasons.

At Walsden (Central players first): A Cairns 21, D Rigby 6; P Craig 21, G Ellis 13; A Lowe 21, A Mellor 13; S Copeland 21, P Wakeling 18; P Stott 21, T Hedderman 12; A R Collinge 16, B Walker 21; S McHugh 21, D Crabtree 11; I Bottomley 21, M Middleton 18; T Dobson 14, S Squire 21; K McHugh 16, E Ralphson 21; D Scott 21 R Goodman 16; B Collinge 16, C Chapman 21. Central 230, Manchester 191.

At Flixton: A Hodson 21, G Telford 17; M Gillies 21, C Alderson 19; M Holden 8, R Hindley 21; K Howarth 7, W Hibbert 21; L Roberts 20, D Phillips 21; G Hickey 13, J Kelly 21; J Taylor 21, C Jones 16; P Heap 20, C McGuigan 21; J Wade 12, B Phillips 21; N Brooks 21, S Ridley 16; D Holt 21, M Geraghty 5; G Gwilliam 21, C Morrison 13. Central 206, Manchester, 212.

Overall: Central 436, Manchester 403.


Hewitt takes the honours

WRIGLEY Mill’s Glenn Hewitt won the Chadderton Bowling League’s President’s Handicap when he defeated Springbank’s Alan Bidwell 21-19 in the final.

Hewitt booked his final ticket with a 21-13 defeat of Bidwell’s team-mate Paul Heap, while Bidwell progressed with a 21-16 victory over Chadderton Cot’s Brian Raynor.

Quarter-finals: Bidwell 21, Mark Hulston 19; Rayner 21, Michael Hodson 15; Heap 21, Mike Gee 18; Wilf McDermott 15, Hewitt 21.