County set lay down a marker

 BOWLS: GREATER Manchester have reached the semi-finals of the Endsleigh County Championship following their demolition of North Lancs and Fydle on Sunday.

They won by 80 chalks at the home venue of George and Dragon, Hyde, and 38 at the away leg at the Waterloo Hotel, Blackpool.

There were many outstanding performances at both venues.

No less than 11 of the 12 Manchester players won at the George and Dragon, while seven representatives were on the mark away from home.

Those wins gave Manchester a massive 118-chalks success and served notice that they are the team to beat in this year’s competition.