Tonge clinch runner-up spot

BOWLS: TONGE secured runners-up spot in the Manchester Premier League with an 8-7.5 (177-167) victory over the Lloyd Hotel, Chorlton, last night.

Winners for Tonge were Jimmy Derby (21-7), Nicky Brooks (21-10), Colin Lane (21-12), Steve Squire (21-16) and Darren Griffiths (21-17). In winning his final game to make it 16 wins from 18 matches, Griffiths clinched the league’s top average award.

Tonge had given themselves the chance of second place by winning 15-2 (204-142) at Liverpool outfit Richmond on Wednesday night.

Successful were Jimmy Derby (21-10), Matt Gilles (21-19), Chris Cooke (21-1), Robbie Fitzpatrick

(21-12), Darren Griffiths (21-15), Thomas Dobson (21-12), Gary Smith (21-17), Graeme Hickey (21-12).


GARETH Gwilliam defends his Tonge Classic title in this year’s finals on Sunday (5.30pm).

NEW Inbev Winter Bowling League season gets under way at Chadderton Cot tomorrow.
Leading the way at 9.45am is an ‘A’ Division clash between newly-promoted Vixens and Hopwood.

The only other game sees Prestwich take on Dogwood in the ‘B’ Division at 2.15pm.

Sunday has three games on the artificial surface. Two ‘B’ Division clashes see Shaw Comrades take on Hollinwood Cricket at 9.45am, and Failsworth play Thistley Field at noon.

The weekend’s action concludes with Nimble Nook v Springhead in the ‘B’ Division at 2.15pm.


SPRINGBANK’S Dave O’Brien and Ged Smedley won the Chadderton League pairs title when they defeated Hopwood’s Nigel Greenhalgh and Keith McHugh 15-7 in the final at Stanley Road.

SPRINGBANK’S Peter Guilfoyle and Paul Heap, and Stanley Road’s Maurice Foskett provide local interest in the finals of the Solar Choice men’s singles at Norden on Sunday (5pm).