Tonge close to title glory

TONGE are near-certainties to retain their Manchester Premier League title after beating Tottington 11-3 (204-141).

With only next week’s fixture at Warrington outfit Pierpoint remaining, Tonge are 16.5 points clear of nearest rivals St Josephs, who face a tough away trip to Garswood Hall.

Winners for Tonge against Tottington were Nicky Brooks (21-16), Andrew Cairns (21-11), Colin Lane (21-10), Steve Squire (21-13), Thomas Dobson (21-9), Darren Griffiths (21-16), Gary Ellis (21-11) and Stuart Mort (21-13).

Ellis is the Oldham area’s only representative in the Champion Of Champions tournament in Blackpool on Saturday (10am).

He takes on Greater Manchester champion Gareth Gwilliam.

THE top two teams in the Inbev Winter Bowling League’s ‘A’ Division clash tomorrow when Hopwood take on Waterloo and Taunton on the Chadderton Cot artificial surface.

Weekend fixtures —

Tomorrow, ‘A’ Division: Cot v Springbank (9.45am); Springhead v Nimble Nook (noon); Waterloo and Taunton v Hopwood (2.15pm).

Sunday, ‘B’ Division: Prestwich v Dogwood (9.45am); Wanderers v Failsworth (noon); New Street v Vixens (2.15pm).

ENTRIES are being accepted for next year’s Greater Manchester Merit, which is once again being organised by Tonge’s Steve Squire.

Heats will be held on May 19 (Hopwood Unionist Club), May 26 (Stalybridge Rec), June 2 (North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club), and June 9 (Eagle and Child, Prestwich). Play at each venue starts at 11am.

The finals will be held on Saturday, June 23 (noon) at a green to be decided.

Entry fee is £6 and cheques for that amount, with choice of date, should be sent to: Steve Squire, 3a Charlestown Road, Blackley, Manchester, M9 7AB. Tel: 0775 9459418 (payment must be received within 21 days of telephone entries).

ENTRIES are also being accepted for next month’s floodlit competition at Lees and Hey Conservative Club which has switched dates to avoid a clash with another event.

The qualifiers will now take place on Wednesday and Thursday, October 19 and 20 (6.30pm), with the finals on Sunday, October 23 (2pm).

A first prize of £200 is up for grabs, with the losing finalist receiving £100. The beaten semi-finalists get £50 and the four who exit in the quarters £25.

Entry fee is £10 each, with a maximum field of 32.

Cheques are payable to Lees and Hey Conservative Club, and should be sent to John Clarke at Lees and Hey Conservative Club, Warrington Street, Lees, Oldham, OL4 5AE.

For more details, call John Clarke on 07766 327259.

A NEW season of winter bowls at Ashton Cricket Club begins on Sunday, October 16.

Entry fee is £3.50 and players need only turn up before the start and strike out-time of 10.30am.