Happy Hodson holds off Ashton challenge

BOWLS: ALAN Hodson clinched the Failsworth President’s Handicap after an exciting tussle against John Ashton.

The Springbank ace won 21-19 at Royton Cricket Club.



TONGE swept aside Richmond at home in their quest to retain the Manchester Premier League title.

The reigning champions had nine winners on the night in an emphatic 12-1.5 (201-139) success.

They were Jimmy Derby (21-8), Matt Gillies (21-8), Colin Lane (21-12), Gareth McMahon (21-20), Tommy Dobson (21-14), Steve Squires (21-19), Darren Griffiths (21-10), Gary Ellis (21-14) and Graham Hickey (21-13).

Tonge are also at home next Wednesday, against South Manchester Royal British Legion.



DARREN Griffiths (Nimble Nook), winner of last weekend’s Tonge Classic, Royton’s John Ashton, Tonge’s Jimmy Derby, and Springbank pair Jimmy Hynes and Michael Hodson provide lots of local interest in the Lees Classic finals at Hopwood Unionist Club on Sunday (1pm).



THE draws for the Thwaites Men’s Pairs and AC Ventilation Women’s Pairs competitions at Norden Bowling Club on Sunday are (practice 5pm, start 5.30pm) are —

Thwaites Men’s Pairs: P Leah/D Hibbert (Ashton) v M Hobson/A Whittaker (Sheffield); A Crossley/G Moss (Spotland) v M Hughes/K Smith (Crossgates); G Flint/D Wardle (HarrogateChadderton) v I Howard/S Longley (Leeds); M Sutton/S Foster (Droylsden) v S Woodward/A Farmer (Sheffield).

AC Ventilation Women’s Pairs: V Lyon/M Lyons (Liverpool) v G Sutton/D Foster (Droylsden); A N Other v L Risdall/P Hodgkinson (Syke).