Fears mount over association’s future

BOWLS:

THE Greater Manchester Bowling Association has moved a step nearer extinction.

As already reported in the Chronicle, secretary/treasurer David Williams is quitting after running the organisation almost single-handedly for several years. The association’s position will soon become untenable unless several new officials can be found.

The current management committee voted to approve the dissolution of GMBA at their latest meeting and this will go before the annual meeting at Cheetham Hill Cricket Club on November 15.

The proposal needs the backing of 75 per cent of those present but, even if they do not vote that way, the association cannot function without key officials.

I understand there has been interest from at least one individual, although no official approach has been made to the association.

It is going to take a concerted effort from several motivated people for the association to survive.

Several local bowling leagues currently fall under the umbrella of the Greater Manchester Association, but will have to apply for affiliation to another body should GM fold.

The Greater Manchester representative teams would cease to exist; there would be no senior and junior merits, and county cup winners would not be allowed to represent a defunct association.



DEFENDING champions Andrew Buckley and Darren Griffiths (Nimble Nook) made a bold bid to win the 2012 Mirfield Old Bank pairs title and £1,200 top prize.

But they bowed out in the semi-finals to Midlands aces Darren Plenderleith and Anthony Aldridge.

Plenderleith and Aldridge were fancied to give their final opponents — Gary Ellis and Chris Brown — a run for their money, but as the rain continued to fall their chances disappeared.

Ellis demolished Aldridge 31-3 and with Brown leading Plenderleith 17-9, the final ended.



Ellis was in the Tonge side that won the Greater Manchester Premier Cup with a 50-chalks defeat of North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club at Springbank.

Tonge will go on to represent the association — assuming it is still in existence in the National Team Championship at Irlam Steel next spring.



SPRINGBANK’S Steve Copeland was beaten 21-7 in the final of the Greater Manchester Bowling Association’s BLESMA Trophy at Tonge BC.

The spoils went to Bury’s Ian Turrell, who was winning the trophy for the second time.

Finals night scores —



WATERLOO and Taunton and Springbank pressed their claims for honours in the Inbev Winter Bowling League’s ‘A’ Division with 10-1 victories on the Chadderton Cot carpet.

Waterloo saw off Failsworth, while Springbank were much too strong for Hopwood.








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