Craig’s tall task in quest for fifth title

BOWLS: SYKE’S Peter Craig must defy a major handicap burden if he is to successfully defend the Oldham Evening Chronicle Bowling Handicap title he won for a fourth time last year.

Craig, who beat Darren Griffiths in last year’s final, has been knocked back to minus one as a result of his successes.

His first-round opponent at Crompton on Friday week is Dave McManus (Hollinwood Cricket), who receives four start.

Twice champion, Andrew Buckley, is also in action at Crompton, while Nimble Nook sees three-time winner Steve Copeland among the entrants, along with Alan Jackson, champion in 1972 and 1975.

The draw for the first heats is:



JUNE 4

CROMPTON

D Mountford (North Chadderton) 3 v B Cooper (Royton Cricket) 5; G Woolley (Springbank) 2 v A Buckley (Nimble Nook) 2; J White (Delph) 3, v M Allingan (Springhead Libs) 4; P Guilfoyle (Delph) v M Coleman (Phoenix) 4.

G Coverdale (North Chadderton) 3 v Martin Hodson (Springbank) 2; P Roberts (Springhead Libs) 4 v J Mountford (North Chadderton) 3; P Craig (Syke) -1 v D McManus (Hollinwood Cricket) 3; S Bolton (Royton) 2 v C Brooks (Royton) 2.



NIMBLE NOOK

S Hubbert (North Chadderton) 3 v D Aspin (Royton Cricket) 4; N Brooks (Syke) 2 v S Copeland (Springbank) 2; P Fielding (Syke) 2 v A Whiteley (Wrigley Mill) 4; S Mullington (Buersil Park) 3 v P Wakeling (North Chadderton) 4.

G Flint (North Chadderton) 3 v A Lowe (Syke) 2; J Barber (Friezland) 4 v J Ramsbottom (Royton Cricket) 2; B Sowerby (Church Inn) 2 v A Jackson (Chadderton Cot) 4; D O'Brien (Springbank) 2 v P Biram (North Chadderton) 3.



FIRST heats in the Greater Manchester Merit will be held at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club on Friday (6.30pm practice, 7pm start).

There are still a few spaces left and anyone wishing to enter at a cost of £5 should contact David Williams on 07899 688182.

There are also places available at Ellesmere BC tomorrow week and the Grapes Hotel, Hyde, on Friday week.