Lane and Gillies put Central in command

BOWLS:

TONGE and Nimble Nook players Colin Lane and Matt Gillies were the stand-out performers as Central Lancs and Pennines made a successful start to the defence of their British Parks title with victory over North Derbyshire.

Lane was one of 11 winners at the home venue of Springbank, but it was the manner of his victory which was so impressive.

He slammed Eastwood Park’s Dave Shaw 21-5 to take the home kitty and help to clinch the overall aggregate.

Other winners at Springbank included home green man Steve Copeland and Royton’s Mark Dwayre.

Gillies’ victory at the away venue of Hasland Park, Chesterfield, was perhaps even more crucial for Central.

The only successful player in the first four, Gillies saw off Lee Pashley 21-5.

Central had three other winners away from home and when the scores were added up, they came out on top 19-11 (417-371).

At Springbank (Central names first): P Craig 21, D Barracliffe 17; S Copeland 21, S Palmer 11; M Holden 21, Dave Allon 10; A Hodson 15, Dale Allon 21; M Dwayre 21, D Wheatcroft 13; B Collinge 21, B Hill 13; J Wade 21, I Eaton 13; S McHugh 21, M Turner 11; P Fielding 21, D Walston 13; C Lane 21, D Shaw 5; N Brooks 21, M Binnie 17; K McHugh 21, K Hampson 15.

At Chesterfield: A Cairns 15, A Weston 21; K Howarth 9, D Shaw 21; P Stott 17, J Marshall 21; M Gillies 21, L Pashley 5; D Scott 10, L Hawkins 21; P Heap 11, C Hardacre 21; T Holt 8, D Spragg 21; G Woolley 12, L Davies 21; I Holden 21, M Backhouse 17; J Taylor 5, I Johnson 21; T Dobson 21, S Sharpe 9; D Holt 21, A Spragg 16.



FINALISTS in the Oldham Veterans’ League’s Farrow Cup, to be played at Springbank on Friday (start 1pm, no practice), are:

G Wrigley (Delph); D Farrell (Friezland); R Nisbet (Nimble Nook); J Mountford (North Chadderton); A Bidwell, B Clark (Springbank); T Rogers (Springhead Libs); L Stokoe (Werneth Cricket).



THE first round of the Veterans’ League’s Clayton Cup will be played on Friday, May 28.

Handicaps in brackets, away teams receive additional 20.

Alexandra Park (83) v Falconers Arms (94); Brookdale Park A (8) v Dobcross (54); Chadderton Hall Park B (96) v St Georges Square A (32); Coalshaw Green Park (95) v Springhead Libs B (47); Copster Park (90) v Fitton Park (87); Delph A (6) v Lees & Hey (50); Dunwood Park A (47) v Crompton (4); Friezland A (9) v Dog & Partridge (39); Nimble Nook B (28) v Dunwood Park B (57); Norden (60) v Brookdale Park B (53); North Chadderton SC B (88) v Nimble Nook A (2); Royton Cricket B (33) v Springbank (5); Springhead Libs A (scratch) v Royton Park B (89): Stalybridge Rec (25) v Higher Failsworth Park (93); Tonge (31) v Westwood Park (92); Werneth Cricket (56) v Hollinwood Cricket B (84).