County set seek Royle ascent

BOWLS:

GREATER Manchester have attempted to pull a rabbit out of the hat in their bid to reach the Endsleigh County Championship final on Sunday (2pm).

The selectors have chosen Royle BC, a postage stamp of a green in Castleton, Rochdale, as their home venue for the semi-final against Roses rivals Yorkshire.

And they have packed their side with bowlers who know the green well, having played in leagues and handicaps there.

The away leg will be held at Crosland Moor BC, Huddersfield.

There is plenty of local interest at both venues.

Tonge’s Darren Griffiths, Nicky Brooks and Thomas Dobson are in the home team, along with Springbank’s Alan Hodson and Waterloo and Taunton’s Gareth Gwilliam.



MANCHESTER Premier League leaders Tonge remain in the driving seat despite losing 9-6 (194-174) at second-placed St Joseph’s (Chorley).

Jimmy Derby (21-9), Nicky Brooks (21-20), Matt Gillies (21-20) and Gary Ellis (21-19) won for Tonge, who entertain the Lloyd Hotel, Chorlton, next Wednesday (7.30pm).



PAUL Heap and Ben Stapleton (Springbank) begin the defence of their Thwaites men’s pairs title at Norden BC on Sunday (5.30pm).



HALIFAX stars Graeme Wilson and Robert Hitchen, and top Isle Of Man player John Kennish are on the bill in the Moorside Classic tonight (6.30pm).






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