Spring put in Ashton's step

JOHN ASHTON . . . kept his word

GREATER Manchester ace John Ashton has given Springbank a pre-season tonic.

Ashton, beaten finalist in the Chronicle's Green Final Bowls Handicap in 2016 and one of the top players in Oldham, represented Royton Cricket and Bowling Club in the Chadderton League 'A' Division last season.

He joined Royton after a 16-year spell at St Paul's Conservative Club and two seasons at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club.

However, when Royton finished the 2016 campaign in the bottom two in the 'A' Division, it looked as though they had been relegated.

Understandably, given his status in crown green bowls, Ashton wanted to remain in the top flight and he was receptive to an approach from Springbank, who were champions in 2013, but have been left in Nimble Nook's slipstream for the last two seasons.

However, in January, top Rochdale outfit Syke quit the league and that meant Royton were handed an 'A' Division lifeline.

REGULAR

"I had already told Springbank I would play for them on Monday nights," said Ashton, a regular for the GM county team. "I couldn't go back on that.

"I have played for Springbank in the Tameside League (Fridays) and Saddleworth League (Saturdays), so I know lot of the lads there.

"But there are some lads on Mondays I haven't played with before so it will be good to be on the same team as them."

Unlike some of his Springbank team-mates, Ashton does not play during the winter, but he is sure to be getting in some practice next week for his first important date of the 2017 season.

As captain of North Chadderton in the Failsworth League on Wednesday nights, he will lead the team in the British Team Championship at Fox Lane, Leyland, on Sunday week. North Chadderton qualified for the event by reaching the final of the Greater Manchester Premier Cup, in which they were beaten in the final by all-conquering Tonge.

Said Ashton: "We have a tough first-round draw against Parkfield Labour Club. I think that's the team which Simon Coupe and Dave Watters play for, so it's a difficult opener for us."

NEWLY-crowned pairs champions Peter Fielding and Chris Heyes will be aiming to play a starring role for Waterloo, who begin their Carling Team Handicap defence against Thistleyfield on Sunday. The competition starts tomorrow and concludes on finals day, Sunday, April 9.

Tomorrow: Vixens (handicap 24) v Nimble Nook (12) at 9.45am; Failsworth (48) v Latics Fanatics (72) at noon; Shaw Comrades (60) v Springbank (6) at 2pm.

Sunday: Dogwood (30) v Springhead (42) at 9.45am; Barbarians (36) v New Street (18) at noon; Thistleyfield (66) v Waterloo (scr) at 2pm.

RAIN washed out any chance of play in Sunday's Droyslden Park winter series, but hopes are high that this weekend's end-of-season winter pairs will go ahead.

Among the pairs in action for an event which starts at 10am are Chadderton's Jimmy Hynes and Donny Wilkinson, who both enjoyed individual success at Droylsden during the winter. There are some places available and these can be secured by ringing or texting Mark Sutton on 0770 2452810.