Age no barrier for Horrocks

WATCHING OVER YOU . . . Len Kewley looks on as Alan Taylor sends down a bowl in the qualifier at Moorside.

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BOWLS: BOB Horrocks, one of the stalwarts of the local bowling scene for many years, has booked a place in the Oldham Evening Chronicle Handicap finals at the tender age of 65.

The popular Crompton bowler and Saddleworth League official had the stamina to win four qualifying games at Stanley Road.

After a 21-17 victory over Royton’s Derek Aspin, Horrocks overcame Andy Eames (Hopwood) by the same score and Darren Mountford (North Chadderton) 21-11.

That set up a showdown with former champion Neil Armstrong (St Pauls), who had beaten Christine Kewley (Nimble Nook) 21-16 and another past winner, Colin Brooks (Royton) 21-14.

The battle for a place on finals night produced some excellent bowling, with Horrocks switching from his preferred corners to a tricky round peg mark from the crown to the corner.

Armstrong saved himself on a couple of occasions, but the sheer consistency of Horrocks’ play wore him down and the Crompton man deservedly went through to the finals at Royton on Saturday, July 7, with a 21-17 verdict.

Four-times champion Peter Craig is also through to another finals night after beating the reigning champion on his way to comfortable qualification at Moorside.

Craig (Syke) defeated last year’s hero, Brian Raynor (Chadderton Cot), 21-11 before overcoming Barry Seville (Nimble Nook) 21-13.

Arguably the match of the night came at North Chadderton, where Mark Dwayre (Royton) beat Colin Lane (Nimble Nook) 21-18.

Both players hit with excellent strikes, but it was Dwayre who had slightly more in his locker and he will be relishing a return to his home green for the finals.

Also heading for her home green of Royton is last year’s beaten semi-finalist, Barbara Cooper, who qualified at Nimble Nook.

She had to survive a 21-19 first-round thriller with Martin Hodson (Springbank) before following up with a 21-8 victory over Graham Stanley (Royton).

Standing in her way in the final qualifier was Barrie Sowerby (Spotland), who had defeated John Owen (Stanley Road) 21-15 and Neil Slater (Whitworth) 21-15.

In a match which could have gone either way, Cooper held her nerve to register a 21-20 verdict.




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