Parks crown up for grabs

ROYTON will stage the biggest British Parks Association match of the season on Sunday (2pm) when Central Lancs and Pennines and East Midlands meet in a winner-takes-all clash.

After two matches in the elite group, both teams are locked on 37 points.

So whichever county comes out on top this weekend will claim the coveted Parks crown.

Royton has been chosen as Central’s home venue and a powerful side features lots of local interest.

Springbank’s Steve Copeland and Alan Hodson are ex-Royton players, as is Tonge’s Mark Dwayre.

Also in the line-up are Tonge’s Jimmy Derby, Colin Lane and Matt Gillies.

Central’s away team, which will be in action at the notorious Stretton No. 2 green, includes Springbank’s Paul Heap and Tonge’s Andy Cairns, Llew Roberts, Nicky Brooks and Thomas Dobson.

At Royton (Central names first): Peter Craig v Calvin Jackson; Steve Copeland v David Carter; Jimmy Derby v Wally Redfern; John Wade v John Dewey; Alan Hodson v Robert Sweet; Ian Bottomley v Alan Johnson; Andy Lowe v Paul Chamberlain; Colin Lane v Simon Mills; John Taylor v Mick Grattan; Matt Gillies v Jim Shorthouse; Barry Collinge v Brian Jordan; Mark Dwayre v Philip May.

At Stretton (East Midlands first): Darren Carter v Andy Cairns; Steve Adams v Steve McHugh; Neil Worthington v Paul Heap; Andy Fearn v David Scott; Richard Goldby v Peter Stott; Andy Thompson v Graham Hickey; Graham Bailey v Llew Roberts; David May v Nicky Brooks; Brian Smith v Keith McHugh; John Insley v Thomas Dobson; Tim Barnett v Darren Holt; Matt Kelly-Walley v Gareth Gwilliam.




OLDHAM Evening Chronicle Handicap winner Peter Craig is on the bill in the £3,000 Moorside Classic tonight (6.30).



Draw: Chris Baker v Peter Craig; Tom Loundes v Gordon Flowers; Llew Roberts v Cory McLeod; Ian Howarth v Jimmy Derby; Alan Hodson v Vic Allcock; Colin Lane v Brian Walker; Dave Carpenter v Keith McHugh; Dave Crabtree v Paul Firth.




FATHER and son David and Jonathan Copeland (Nimble Nook) carry local hopes in the finals of the Thwaites Men’s Pairs at Norden BC on Sunday (5.30pm):



Draw: C Chapman/A Mellor v R Stott/J Grey; M Armson/D Holt v W Cropper/G Keating; J Birtwistle/J Derby v T Holt/M Clough; J Taylor/A Collinge v D and J Copeland.

The A C Ventilation women’s pairs will be held at the same time and venue.




TONGE’S troubles continued in the Greater Manchester Super League as they slipped to their fifth defeat in a row, going down 171 (4) to 177 (12) at home to St Joseph’s



Local winners were Jimmy Darby (21-15), Mark Dwayre (21-11), Lawrence Hallett (21-17) and Stuart Mort (21-8).

Tonge visit Lower Hopton next Wednesday.




THE Saddleworth League’s Law Swallow Cup semi-finals and final take place this Sunday (11am start) at Springbank.



Nimble Nook play Milnrow Memorial and Friezland A take on Crompton A.