Tonge aces in great escape

BOWLS:

TONGE’S comeback kings earned the Manchester Premier League champions a dramatic victory over Stockport outfit Nursery Inn.

Matt Gillies trailed Keith McHugh 18-9 and came back to win 21-19, while Darren Griffiths was 17-7 down to Steve Cook before registering a 21-18 verdict.

Other winners for Tonge in a 13.5-3 (199-158) victory were Jimmy Derby (21-10), Gary Ellis (21-16), Thomas Dobson (21-13), Graham Hickey (21-6) and Steve Squire (21-13).

Next Wednesday (7.30pm) sees Tonge at home to Tottington.

Tonge have four players – Ellis, Gillies, Griffiths and Cairns – in the finals of the Thwaites Royle Classic on Saturday (5.30pm).

The Tonge four are also in the finals of the J W Lees Classic at Hopwood Unionist Club, Heywood, on Sunday (1pm) when Griffiths defends the title he won last year with a 21-19 victory over Chris Brown.



SADDLEWORTH League’s Bryan O’Neill pairs will take place on Saturday, July 14 when the greens in use will be North Chadderton, Moorside, Delph and Royton (start and strike-out 2pm, practice from 1.30pm).

The finals will be held on Sunday, July 15 at Hollinwood Cricket Club (start and strike-out 1.15pm, practice from 12.45pm).

Entry info; call Bob Horrocks on 0797 2206461 by July 1.



SPRINGBANK’S Ged Smedley and Steve Copeland play in the Thwaites men’s pairs at Norden BC on Sunday (5.30pm).

The A C Ventilation women’s pairs will be held at the same time.




Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle