Nook aces chase Hopwood cash

JONATHAN COPELAND . . . Classic bid.

BOWLS:

NIMBLE Nook’s Darren Griffiths, Andy Buckley, Gary Ellis, Jonathan Copeland and Colin Lane have strong claims for the £500 top prize in the Hopwood Unionist Club Classic in Heywood on Sunday (2pm).


Griffiths takes on Silsden’s Dave Scott in the last 16, while Ellis meet Sheffield’s Chris Brown, Lane plays Stuart Mort (Standish), Buckley opens against Hothersall’s Mike Leach and Copeland plays Chris Hill (Sheffield).

Springbank’s Jimmy Hynes and Matt O’Neill are also in contention and launch their bids against Jack Hargreaves (Hyde) and Ian Booth (Halifax).

The other last-16 game is a potential thriller between Audenshaw star Graeme Wilson and St Annes ace James Grimston.



THERE is plenty of local interest in the finals of the Greater Manchester Merit at Middleton Conservative Club tomorrow (12.30pm).

The winner will earn a place in the All-England Merit, Champion of Champions event in Blackpool and Oceanico Masters in Portugal.

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



TONGE already have one hand on the Manchester Premier League trophy following a stunning 16.5-1 (201-154) victory at Tottington.

Winners for the runaway league leaders were Gary Ellis (21-18), Jimmy Derby (21-18), Andrew Cairns (21-10), Laurence Hallett (21-11), Steve Squire (21-19), Darren Griffiths (21-9), Simon Coupe (21-12), Thomas Dobson (21-19) and Stuart Mort (21-17). Tonge are at home to Warrington outfit Pierpoint and Bryant next Wednesday (7.30pm).



OLDHAM Evening Chronicle Handicap finalist Peter Fielding (Crompton) teams up with Syke’s Barry Collinge in the Thwaites men’s pairs at Norden on Sunday (5.30pm).

And Shaw’s J Little and L Rimmer will take part in the AC Ventilation women’s pairs which will be held at the same time.



SADDLEWORTH Bowls League's Bryan O'Neill pairs competition gets under way with heats tomorrow.

Over 60 pairs have entered with the qualifiers taking place at Hollinwood CC, Stalybridge, North Chadderton and Springhead. Practice is at 1.30pm, with the start and strike-out at 2pm.

The final takes place on Sunday (12.45pm practice, 1.15pm start and strike-out) at Crompton.::



FINALS of the Failsworth League’s President’s Cup will be played at Nimble Nook on Sunday (start and strike-out noon, no practice).

The players involved are S Schofield (Nimble Nook), B Seville (North Chadderton), M Coleman (Phoenix), C Brooks, K Gledhill and I Gorbutt (Royton Cricket), A Bidwell and P Saville (Star).