Ex-Green Final hero dies at 79

BOWLS; THE local bowling scene has lost one of its best-loved characters following the death at the age of 79 of Dennis Wootton.

A member of the great Chadderton Cot team of the 1960s and 70s, he also represented Coalshaw Green Park with distinction. In his latter years, Dennis played for Stanley Road in the Oldham Veterans League.

One of Oldham’s best players for many years, Dennis won the 1978 Oldham Evening Chronicle competition when it was known as the Green Final Handicap.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be made.



WATEROO and Taunton’s Gareth Gwilliam was beaten in the final of the Spring Waterloo in Blackpool.

Winner of the Greater Manchester Merit in 2010 and 2011, Gwilliam came through a tough draw to book a showdown with Liverpool’s Danny Barwise. But it was the Merseysider who came out on top, 21-8, to win the prestigious event. Nimble Nook and Tonge’s Gary Ellis was beaten 21-18 by Barwise in the semi-finals.



ROY TRAVIS (Peels Arms) won the Saddleworth League’s Sharpe Cup and £120 top prize when he defeated home green man Colin Bradbury 21-16 in the final at Springhead.

Travis (handicap three) received two chalks start from Bradbury, but it was the latter who looked in charge when he led 12-7.

However, from that point it was all Travis and he ran out a comfortable winner.



OLDHAM Veterans’ League won the inaugural inter-league competition against Middleton, Salford and Tameside at Alexandra Park.

Oldham's team was Terry Rogers, Bob Carr, Bryan O'Neill and John Thornley (Springhead Libs), Graham Stanley (Royton Cricket), Wilf Flanagan (Stanley Road), Graham Flint (Springbank), and Ken Bowles, John Sandiford and Bob Nisbet (Nimble Nook).