Cooke causes big stir

BOWLS: GREATER Manchester juniors suffered defeat at the hands of Staffordshire in their latest County Championship fixture.

Tonge’s Bradley Cooke made it nine wins from nine county appearances when he won 21-12 at the away venue of Penn BC, Wolverhampton.

The home venue of Tonge saw Friezland’s Jake Dearden win 21-12 and Wrigley Mill’s Jordan Barker triumph by the same score.

Manchester can no longer reach the semi-finals and need to avoid defeat against Derbyshire on July 14 (2pm) to book their place in the Supplementary Competition. The home venue is North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club.

The county’s junior merit, with the winner and runner-up securing places in the All-England competition, will take place at North Chadderton on Sunday. Entry (£3) can be secured at the green before 1pm.


TONGE continued their recent improvement in the Manchester Premier League with a 13.5-3 (198-164) victory at the Nursery Inn, Stockport, last night.
Winners for Tonge were Jimmy Derby (21-14), Matt Gillies (21-17), Gary Smith (21-16), Thomas Dobson (21-16), Darren Griffiths (21-13), Graham Hickey (21-14) and Gary Ellis (21-11).

Griffiths and Hickey remain unbeaten this season and are in contention for the league’s prestigious Last Man Standing award.


JASON Fereday and Simon Cawley (Chadderton) are in action in the Thwaites men’s pairs at Norden BC on Sunday (5.30pm).
There are vacancies in this competition and the AC Ventilation women’s pairs which is being run at the same time and venue. Information from Steve or Jean on 01706 527219 or 0776 7674699.


Eyes focused on Green Final heats
THE second set of heats in the Chronicle-sponsored Green Final Bowling Handicap take place at four venues tonight.

The draw will be made at each green before play gets under way at 7pm. Practice is from 6.30pm.

There will be one finals night qualifier at each venue. Finals will be held at Moorside on Saturday, July 6 (6.30pm).