Wear colours with pride — Rudman

Bowls: IT’S the dawn of a new era for Greater Manchester this weekend.

The county was under threat of extinction in November, but thanks to a rescue group, the association is again alive and kicking, with its representative team gunning for Endsleigh County Championship glory.

Greater Manchester open their campaign against North Midlands on Sunday (2pm) with a home venue of Tottington Conservative Club and an away clash at the notoriously-difficult Bedworth No. 1 green.

Manchester also have a new home team manager in the charismatic Keith Rudman, who is relishing the challenge.

He said: “I think we have a fantastic squad and the fact we have the game’s top player (Gary Ellis) has to be a bonus, and an inspiration for the other players.

“I’m hoping that people really want to play for the county and have pride in wearing the blue shirt. We need to create a great team spirit, too.

“We need to make our home matches a fortress if we are to do well.”



SEVERAL local stars are in the St Andrews Cricket and Bowling Club invitation 32 at the club in Abinger Street, Burnley (DB10 3ED), on Bank Holiday Monday (10am).

Gary Ellis is a multiple winner of the event and he opens against Winsford ace Glynn Cookson.

Ellis’s Tonge team-mates, Matt Gillies (v Mike Leach), Darren Griffiths (v Lee Johnston) and Andrew Cairns (v Matt Jones) are also in action, along with Nimble Nook’s Andrew Buckley, who takes on Derbyshire number one Andrew Spragg.