Paul picks up Open crown

PAUL LEAH secured the most important prize of his crown green bowling career when he won the Alderley Sports Open at the Union Club, Alderley Edge.

The popular Waterloo and Taunton player (pictured) was in superb form on finals night, hitting back from 6-0 down to beat John Bancroft 21-17 before seeing off Mike Geraghty 21-12 in the semi-finals.

And Leah’s domination continued in the final, in which he defeated Lee Fletcher 21-12 to clinch the top prize of £500.


MAJOR handicap wins continue to come easily to Nimble Nook’s Gary Ellis, who clinched his ninth title of the season when winning the Whaley Bridge Open for the fourth time.

Victory earned Ellis a £700 pay-day and provided ample consolation for his semi-final defeat at the hands of Matt Bower, the eventual winner, in the previous day’s Pudsey Classic.

Ellis trailed Chris Mordue 17-13 in the Whaley Bridge final, but “ran out” in typically-determined fashion to clinch the title.

Earlier, Ellis - who also plays for Tonge - defeated Tommy Johnstone 21-15, Roger Morgan 21-8 and John Bancroft 21-8.


THE Chadderton League’s annual presentation will take place on Friday (7.30pm) at Stanley Road Conservative Club.

No tickets are required and all players, relatives and friend are welcome.

Any proposals for rule changes must be sent to the league secretary by November 30, so they can be distributed to clubs before the annual meeting at which they will be voted upon.


ENTRIES are being accepted for three pairs competitions at Norden BC in 2009.

The £1,000 Brennan Paving mixed pairs is limited to 64 entries and has heats on Sundays May 3, 10, 17 and 24 (5.30pm) with the finals on May 31 (4pm).

The Thwaites men’s pairs and AC Ventilation women’s pairs will be held concurrently with heats on Sundays June 21 and 28, July 5, 12, 19 and 26, and August 2 and 9 (5.30pm) with the finals on August 16 (5pm).

Entry fee for all three is £10 and places can be secured by ringing Steve or Jean Beaumont on 01706 527219.

The Your Choice men’ singles will be held at the same club, with heats on Sundays August 23 and 30, and September 6 and 13 (6pm).

The finals will be held on September 20 (5pm), entry fee is £5 and places can be secured by ringing Steve or Jean.




NEWLY-promoted Lees/Springhead are more than holding their own in the ‘A’ Division of the Inbev Winter Bowling League at Chadderton Cot.



They defeated New Street 8-3 to move into second place, but champions Royle continue to set the pace with their third win in a row, 9-2 at the expense of Springbank.

Tonge retained top spot in the ‘B’ Division thanks to a 9-2 defeat of Vixens.

But Nimble Nook, who enjoyed a 10-1 win against Prestwich, are hot on their heels.

New Street (121) 3 Lees/Springhead (145) 8: A Collinge 17 T Rogers 21, D Moulton 12 W Roberts 21, A Cairns 21 J Ashton 6, J Lorimer 16 A Tupman 21, M Holden 21 A Cooke 19, M Suthers 21 P Edwards 15, M Prosser 15 S Wild 21, R Lorimer 8 B Reddyoff 21.

Springbank (113) 2 Royle (151) 9: D Crabtree 8 G Coverdale 21, J Hynes 10 J Wade 21, L Roberts 21 T Hedderman 8, L Hallett 11 A Rushton 21, M J Hodson 7 M Gillies 21, A Hodson 20 P Fielding 21, P Heap 21 E Davies 17, P McDermott 15 M Clough 21.

Waterloo and Taunton (126) 4 Radcliffe (146) 7: D Walker 21 M O’Neill 15, L Greenhalgh 14 T Lytham 21, A Walker 3 T Taylor 21, P Leah 21 N Turrell 12, J Blezzard 15 I Turrell 21, C Roberts 21 I Meadowcroft 17, A Critchlow 21 W Usher 18, D Kenyon 10 M Middleton 21.

‘B’ DIVISION

Prestwich (117) 1 Nimble Nook (158) 10: A Davenport 13 J Apps 21, S Blaymire 13 S Schofield 21, I Luckett 13, E Worthington 21, S Morley 9 D Booth 21, M Davenport 14 S Mellor 21, G Martin 17 A Comer 21, J Davies 17 R Price 21, A Conchie 21 R Ankers 11.

Vixens (109) 2 Tonge (147) 9: M Harrington 12 A Gardner 21, A Burgess 21 N Cooper 4, B Flanagan 13 M Hargreaves 21, B Cooper 21 G Tompkinson 17, H Lewis 17 C Bennett 21, J Wild 9 P Byrom 21, C Apps 3 G Gardner 21, D Fish 13 A Jackson 21.

N. Chadderton (162) 8 Dogwood (126) 3: J Irons Snr 18 C Breakell 21, D Hoyle 20 J Lewis 21, J Mountford 19 D Brierley 21, D Mountford 21 G Hallsor 1, G Flint 21 R Crossley 16, J Rudkin 21 A Bonter 12, J Irons Jnr 21 W Flanagan 20, M Ray 21 R Collier 14.