Title-hopefuls Tonge suffer shock defeat

BOWLS: MANCHESTER Premier League title favourites Tonge suffered a shock home defeat at the hands of the Lloyd Hotel, Chorlton.

Several of their star players were beaten, and it was left to Colin Lane (21-19), Simon Coupe (21-16), Gary Ellis (21-14), Mike Holden (21-18) and Stuart Mort (21-16) to salvage much-needed points as Lloyds registered a 10.5-5 (188-166) victory.

Tonge will be determined to bounce back when they travel to Longwood, near Huddersfield, on Wednesday (7.30pm).