Rivals battle for final spot

Bowls: GREATER Manchester must conquer old rivals Yorkshire if they are to book a place in the final of the County Championship.

Venues for the semi-final on Sunday (2pm) are Stalybridge Rec (Manchester) and Almondbury BC (Yorkshire).

At Stalybridge (Manchester names first): Chris Heyes v Scott Fisher; Jonathan Copeland v Robbie Fitzpatrick; David Walker v Nathan Webster; Chris Haynes v Graeme Wilson; Lee Turner v Liam Griffin; Jack Hargreaves v Ian Booth; Colin Lane v Kieren Smith; Charlie Roberts v Mark Regan; David Copeland v Nicky White; Mike Gee v James Davison; Matthew Jones v Robert Hitchen; Gareth Gwilliam v Chris Mordue.

At Almondbury: Andy Cairns v Steven Hirst; Andy Buckley v Graham Higgins; Jimmy Derby v David Fisher; Nigel Greenhalgh v James Hanson; Steve Squire v Craig Gant; Darrem Griffiths v Dave Fox; Ben Phillips v Dave Cooper; Peter Craig v Jack Dyson; Alan Hodson v Ashley Tattersley; Steve Copeland v James Wilcox; Darren Holt v Graham Hickey; Gary Ellis v Ashley Daykin.

TONGE’S Manchester Premier League title hopes suffered a setback when they lost 9-6 (167-162) at St Joseph’s of Chorley. Winners for Tonge were Steve Squire (21-6), Gary Ellis (21-7), Nicky Brooks (21-13) and Thomas Dobson (21-15).
Tonge’s are at home to Richmond BC, of Liverpool, next Wednesday (7.30pm).


SPRINGBANK’S Paul Heap and Ben Stapleton qualified for the finals of the Thwaites men’s pairs at Norden. They defeated Matt Dwyer (Royle) and Thomas Dobson (Tonge) 21-10 in the third round.
Heats continue on Sunday (5.30pm) when the club’s A C Ventilation women’s pairs heats will also be held.


ROYTON Park Vets Bowling Club is hosting a charity competition on Sunday, August 28.
All proceeds from the event, which starts at noon at Bleasdale Street, will go to Dr Kershaws Hospice.

The competition is limited to 16 players with £10 entry, and offers enticing prizes of £150 for the winner, £75 for the runner-up, £40 for semi-finalists and £20 for reaching the quarter-finals.

All games are 21 up.

Refreshments, a raffle and name cards will be available, along with entertainment in the rest of the park from 10am to 4pm.

Closing date for entry is Wednesday, August 24 and players who are interested should contact A Cooper on (0161) 626 4764 or 07717 026492.

Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to Royton Park Vets and sent to: A Cooper, 40, Bamford Street, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6DJ.