Carpenter stakes his claim for an encore

BOWLS:

DAVID Carpenter, the champion in 1997, is chasing more Green Final Bowling Handicap glory.

The Delph ace staked his claim for the 2013 event with a superb display at Stanley Road.

In qualifying for the finals at Moorside on Saturday, July 6, Carpenter saw off Hopwood's Keith McHugh, Springbank's Len Kewley and the 2010 winner, Garry Coverdale (North Chadderton).

In-form Matt Gilles (Nimble Nook) went through at North Chadderton with an impressive display.

His victims included former Greater Manchester player Dene Hibbert and Barbara Cooper, who has enjoyed plenty of success in the competition in recent years.

North Chadderton's Jim Mountford gave a great display to qualify at Nimble Nook, seeing off the challenges of Grant Eckersley, Colin Brooks and Brian Gaskell.

And Nimble Nook's Steve Mellor was the main man at Royton, disposing of Alf Smallwood, Stephen Mullington and Ian Rigney to go through in style.

The venue saw a rare clash between father and daughter, Ian Rigney beating his daughter, Sophie, 21-17.