County lose thriller

PETER CRAIG

BOWLS: GREATER Manchester will have to wait at least another year to reclaim the Endsleigh County Championship crown following their four-chalks defeat to Warwick and Worcester in a thrilling final yesterday.

Amazingly, both counties lost at their home venues.

Warwick and Worcester had seven winners in a 212-201 triumph at Springbank, while Manchester had six players successful in their 214-207 victory in Birmingham.

In a nailbiting finale at Springbank, four-times Oldham Evening Chronicle Handicap winner Peter Craig had to win 21-15 to secure the Crosfield Cup for Greater Manchester.

But opponent Steve Darling hung on tenaciously to reach the 17 chalks he needed before succumbing 21-20.


Full report in the Chronicle and E-Chron (subscription required) tomorrow