Craig sets out on title defence

ALL YOURS: Matt Dwyer (left) and Michael Clough receive the Saddleworth League pairs trophy from Bryan O’Neill.

BOWLS: THE 2010 Oldham Evening Chronicle Bowling Handicap gets under way tonight when defending champion Peter Craig (Syke) puts his title on the line at Crompton.

Four-times tournament winner Craig, penalised for his unprecedented recent success in the competition, starts on minus one and has to give Dave McManus (Hollinwood Cricket) four chalks start.

Twice-champion Andrew Buckley takes on Springbank’s Geoff Woolley at the same venue, while Nimble Nook hosts an excellent card in which the first-round match between Nicky Brooks (Syke) and three-times competition winner Steve Copeland (Springbank) looks the stand-out clash.

Play gets under way at 6.30pm, with practice from 6pm.

Host clubs are asked to ensure that jacks, mats etc are available from 6pm.

Draw —

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) 3 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.


SPRINGBANK’S Paul Heap and Jimmy Hynes are in action in the first heats of Royle BC’s £1,120 Classic tomorrow (6pm).

The other six players aiming for one finals-night place are John Wade, Barrie Sowerby, Andy Lowe, Phil Biram and Stephen Leach (Rochdale), and Paul Dudley (Radcliffe).


NIMBLE Nook’s Joanne Little teamed up with Tim Holt (Bamford) to win the Brennan Paving mixed pairs competition at Norden BC. They beat T and K Kelly 21-14 in the final.
Springbank’s Paul Heap and Julie Broadhurst (Stockport) were beaten 21-13 in the quarter-finals by Ted Mitchell and Joyce Jones (Rochdale).

There are still vacancies in Norden’s Thwaites men’s pairs which will be held over eight Sundays, starting on June 20. For more details, ring Jean or Steve on (01706) 527219.



LATEST qualifiers for the Greater Manchester Merit finals are Steve Bolton, Andy Cairns, Paul Dudley and David Walker.

The last qualifiers will be held at the The Grapes Hotel, Hyde, tonight (7pm) when the players involved are Gary Ellis, Andy Buckley, Tommy Heyes, Jack Hargreaves, Gareth Gwilliam, Roger Crowther, Joe Bradbury, Greg Ellis, Joe Humphreys, Paul Leah and Neil Anderson.


Tonge’s Lane puts Nursery in a twist

TONGE stayed on target for Manchester Premier League title success with a 12-1.5 (202-141) victory over the Nursery Inn, Stockport.

Colin Lane led the way with a 21-3 success, while there were also wins for Darren Griffiths (21-10), Mike Holden (21-11), Matt Gillies (21-14), Stuart Mort (21-12), Jimmy Derby (21-15), Gary Ellis (21-16), Jonathan Copeland (21-19) and Simon Coupe (21-20).

Tonge travel to the Railway Hotel, Congleton, on Wednesday (7.30pm).


MICHAEL Clough and Matt Dwyer (Crompton) teamed up to win the Saddleworth League’s Bryan O’Neill pairs competition.

They beat Barry Seville and Steve Mellor of host club Nimble Nook 17-9 in the final to win the trophy and top prize of £130.

Other scores —

Quarter-finals: G Tompkinson/C Bennett (Chadderton Cot) 12, J Melia/N Slater (Healey) 15; Clough/Dwyer 15, P Taylor/B McLoughlin (Copster) 14; D Shaw/B Jones (Peels Arms) 15, B Sowerby/S Mullington (Church) 11; S and J Dearden (Friezland) 6, Mellor/Seville 17.

Semi-finals: Slater/Melia 8, Clough/Dwyer 15; Shaw/Jones 6, Seville/Mellor 17.