Steve’s top entry is fully merited

DARREN GRIFFITHS . . . among the Merit finalists.

Bowls:

MONTHS of hard work and planning will come to fruition for local bowler and organiser Steve Squire on Saturday.

Following years of poor turn-outs and lack of support, the Greater Manchester Merit attracted a full complement of 64 entries this year.

And that is down to the efforts of Squire, a key member of the Tonge BC team which currently tops the Manchester Premier League.

Taking over the responsibility of organising the event from the Greater Manchester Crown Green Bowling Association, Squire persuaded most of the county’s top players to support the event.

And he has been rewarded with a superb last-day line-up at Middleton Conservative Club on Saturday (12.30pm).

Dukinfield’s Gareth Gwilliam will be defending his title in a last 16 which also includes the likes of Gary Ellis, Darren Griffiths and Jimmy Derby.

The draw is: Ryan Bancroft v Greg Ellis; Martin Hodson v Derby; Matt O’Neill v Tony Mellor; Clive Chapman v Matt Gillies; Griffiths v John Hall; Gwilliam v Alan Hodson; Gary Ellis v Paul Dudley; Mike Gee v David Walker.




LATEST round in the Oldham Women’s League’s Peter Wild Cup will be held tonight when the draw is:



Crompton v Diggle ‘A’ at Royton Park; St Paul's ‘A’ v Fitton Park at Coalshaw Park; Moorside ‘A’ v Springbank ‘A’ at Shaw RBL; Hyde Park v Saddleworth at High Crompton Park; Waterhead v Stamford ‘B’ at Church.

Werneth Cricket ‘A’ v Royton Cricket ‘A’ at Saddleworth; Springhead ‘A’ v Springbank ‘B’ at Shaw Comrades; Hollinwood Cricket ‘B’ v Shaw Comrades ‘B’ at Werneth Cricket; Hollinwood Cricket ‘A’ v Uppermill ‘B’ at Dobcross; Dunwood v Moorside ‘B’ at Diggle.

Delph ‘A’ v Stalybridge Rec at Hollinwood Ckt; Shaw RBL ‘A’ v Friezland at Delph; Church v Grapes at Fitton Park; Stamford ‘C’ v Shaw Comrades ‘B’ at Springhead; Royton Park v Shaw RBL at Crompton; Uppermill ‘A’ v Dobcross ‘A’ at Friezland.




LOCAL bowlers are being invited to enter the 2011 Moorside Classic which has qualifying rounds on July 21, 22, 28 and 29, and August 4, 5, 11 and 12 (6.30pm). The finals will be held on August 21 (1.30pm). Entry fee is £15 and winners of two games are guaranteed £30.



The winner of the competition receives £700.

To enter, send a cheque for £15 (payable to Moorside Cricket and Bowling Club), choice of date and stamped, addressed envelope to: Geoff Woolley, 115, Turf Pit Lane, Moorside, Oldham, OL4 2ND.

Ring 0161 633 5325 or 07960 296125 before 9pm.