Tonge hit by title setback

TONGE’S Manchester Premier League title campaign suffered a huge blow on Wednesday night when they lost 8-7.5 (179-175) to mid-table Huddersfield outfit Longwood.

Darren Griffiths and Gary Ellis both won 21-10, and although Jimmy Derby (21-18), Andrew Cairns (21-16) and Colin Lane (21-20) were also on the mark, results in the other games meant Tonge missed out on the vital aggregate points by four chalks.

To rub salt in Tonge’s wounds, there were victories for league leaders Lower Hopton and two other title rivals, Garswood Hall and South Manchester RBL.

Tonge’s next match is at home to St Joseph’s of Chorley next Wednesday (7.30pm).


GRAEME Wilson, the sport’s most successful player this season, takes part in the heats of the £3,000 Moorside Classic tonight (6.30pm).

Draw: Robert Hitchen v Robbie Fitzpatrick; Clive Chapman v Tony Roberts; Roy Moxham v Graeme Wilson; Darren Plenderleith v Chris Kelly; Gary Wallis v Gerwyn Davies; Johnathan Sneddon v Craig Hill; Ryan Clark v Jamie Fitzpatrick; Brian Sowerby v Andrew Walker.


THE semi-finals and final of the Chadderton League’s Swallow Cup will be held at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club on Sunday (10am).

The teams taking part are Uppermill, Westwood, Royton Cricket ‘A’ and Springbank ‘A’.