Strike swings final for Brian
Date published: 11 July 2011
FOCUSED... Winner Brian Raynor in action against Darren Griffiths in the final.
Bowls: BRIAN Raynor produced the performance of his bowling life to lift the Oldham Evening Chronicle Handicap trophy in front of a crowd of around 200 on Saturday night.
The 57-year-old Chadderton Cot stalwart defeated Greater Manchester star Darren Griffiths (Nimble Nook) 21-14 in the final, which hinged on a dramatic strike.
Trailing 14-12 on the tricky North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club green, Griffiths nailed a lead to within a couple of inches and produced a second bowl to within a foot.
The jack was resting near the edge of the green and Raynor's first bowl was a yard wide of the head.
Raynor had no choice but to strike and his contact was simply perfect, edging the jack sideways to his own bowl for a single which completely changed the momentum of the final. Instead of peeling at 14, he led 15-12.
Griffiths could not believe his misfortune, but it was Raynor's superb play rather than his opponent's waywardness which then earned him a 19-12 lead.
And although Griffiths hit back with a couple of singles, two more precision bowls from Raynor clinched him the title, prestigious Chronicle trophy and first prize of £230.
Raynor, whose late father Eric was a top-class player who missed out on Chronicle title glory despite several attempts, said: "This is the biggest competition I have won. I enter it whenever work allows."
Earlier, Raynor had survived an amazing semi-final comeback from Barbara Cooper (Royton), who was given a bye when Andrew Buckley (Nimble Nook) - playing elsewhere - failed to show.
The occasion looked to have affected the lady bowler when she trailed 19-12, but some magnificent woods in the corners enabled her to level at 20-20 and it took all Raynor's nerve and courage to produce a decisive last bowl at long distance to book his final ticket.
No praise is high enough for Cooper, who did the local women's bowling scene proud and gave the in-form Raynor a huge fright.
The other semi-final, between Griffiths and Peter Fielding (Crompton) was a one-sided affair, Griffiths racing into a 15-3 lead before Fielding's late rally earned him the respectability of 12 against his name.
Fielding had reached the semi-finals with a 21-12 defeat of John Rudkin (North Chadderton), Griffiths overcame homester Wilf McDermott 21-16 and Raynor was ruthless in seeing off Dave O'Brien (Springbank) 21-8.
The trophies were presented by Chronicle Editor David Whaley, who congratulated the host club on staging the event and the players for the excellence of their performances.
Proceeds from gate receipts and a raffle raised over £250, which will go to the competition's charity fund.
