’Bank on title trail as Royle falter

BOWLS: SPRINGBANK dealt a severe blow to Royle’s Inbev Bowling League ‘A’ Division title hopes when they won Sunday’s crunch match, 8-3.

Skipper Alan Hodson led from the front with a 21-11 victory over his former team-mate Paul Heap, while Ben Stapleton’s 21-12 victory over Tom Hedderman and Jimmy Hynes’ 21-10 verdict against Matt Gillies were equally-important.

Waterloo and Taunton stayed at the top of the table thanks to a 10-1 demolition of Springhead, while Hopwood were relegated to bottom place after New Street beat North Chadderton 9-2.

Nimble Nook and Chadder-ton Cot remained first and second in the ‘B’ Division thanks to 9-2 wins against Stalybridge and Dogwood respectively.

Prestwich defeated Vixens 8-3 in the other match in this division.