Back from the brink

ANDREW BUCKLEY: 21-11 victory for Greater Manchesterat the home venue of Tottington.

BOWLS:

GREATER Manchester's bowlers made a winning start to their Endsleigh County Championship campaign with a thrilling six-chalks victory over a strong East Midlands outfit.

For much of the game, Manchester looked to be on the back foot despite Andrew Cairns' opening 21-3 victory over Richard Burdett at the home venue of Tottington.

The challenging away green at Bedworth took its toll on several Manchester players as the visitors slipped to more than 60 behind.

At the same time, Manchester were only just over 30 in front at home, but the last four players at Tottington all won and three of the final four Manchester lads at Bedworth were successful, including last-man Gareth Gwilliam who handed in a 21-7 card.

The verdict hung on the final game at Tottington, in which Gary Ellis needed to beat Jamie Dunn 21-16 or more to win the game for Manchester.

And the sport's top performer proved up to the task, racing to a 21-11 victory with some fine play on a difficult edge.