Barbara’s chance to make history

BARBARA COOPER

BOWLS: BARBARA Cooper will tomorrow night bid to become the first woman to win the Oldham Evening Chronicle Bowling Handicap.

Kathy Wilson, a beaten semi-finalist in 2005, has come closest to achieving that feat.

But there is no doubt that Cooper (Royton) boasts the game and a viable handicap mark of five with which to make an impact at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club tomorrow (5.30pm).

Standing in her way in the last eight, however, is Andrew Buckley (handicap two), the Greater Manchester home team captain.

He has been installed as the bookies’ favourite, but there will also be lots of money for his Nimble Nook pairs partner and great friend, Darren Griffiths.

With so many titles on his CV – including the Hopwood Unionist Classic less than a fortnight ago – it is surprising that Griffiths has yet to have his name etched on the prestigious Chronicle trophy.

He receives two chalks from Wilf McDermott tomorrow and will start favourite on the heat.

But homester McDermott boats superior knowledge of the extremely tricky North Chadderton green so this is no formality for the Greater Manchester star.

Another player with home green knowledge is John Rudkin, who has to conceded one start to Peter Fielding.

Rudkin is not a man to be fazed by the big occasion and has been in excellent form of late, most notably when qualifying for the finals at Royton.

In Fielding, Rudkin faces a player of huge experience at the highest level.

A Greater Manchester regular for many years, Fielding has also featured in several Chronicle finals night and will not lack bottle.

The other quarter-final sees Dave O’Brien (Springbank) take on Brian Raynor (Chadderton Cot).

Both of these players are well known on the local bowling scene yet, despite their wealth of experience, finals night will prove a test of their mettle.

Whoever settles the better is likely to come out on top.

The draw for tomorrow’s finals, with prices in brackets, is: John Rudkin, handicap 1 (8-1) v Peter Fielding, 2 (6-1); Wilf McDermott, scr (6-1) v Darren Griffiths, 2 (5-2); Barbara Cooper, 5 (12-1) v Andrew Buckley, 2 (2-1); Dave O’Brien, 2 (6-1) v Brian Raynor, 3 (8-1).

Proceeds from tomorrow’s raffle and gate receipts will go towards the charity fund and will be donated to a worthy local cause.



TONGE remain on course to clinch their second successive Manchester Premier League title following a home 9-6 (198-165) victory over Sale.
Winners for Tonge were Gary Ellis (21-9), Andrew Cairns (21-15), Jimmy Derby (21-7), Steve Squire (21-15), Stuart Mort (21-19) and Laurence Hallett (21-16).

Tonge entertain the Railway Hotel, Congleton, in a rearranged match next Thursday (7.30pm).



DARREN Griffiths warms up for tomorrow’s Oldham Chronicle finals by taking part in the closing stages of the Daniel Thwaites Open at Walmersley Conservative Club tomorrow (1pm).


DRAW for the quarter-finals of the Chadderton League’s Swallow Cup, to be held next Thursday (6.45pm), is:
Springbank ‘A’ (5) v North Chadderton ‘C’ (44) at Stanley Road; Werneth (58) v Delph ‘A’ (14) at Hollinwood Cricket; Moorside ‘A’ (31) v Friezland ‘A’ (10) at Uppermill; Chadderton CBC (20) v Uppermill Cricket (45) at Waterloo and Taunton.



FAILSWORTH League delegates will meet next Tuesday (8pm) at Stanley Road Conservative Club when the main item on the agenda is the draw for the league’s individual merit.


DRAW for the next round of the Oldham Women’s League’s Peter Wild Cup, to be played next Tuesday, is:
Diggle ‘A’ v Fitton Park at Dunwood; Moorside ‘A’ v Saddleworth at St Pauls; Stamford ‘B’ v Werneth Cricket ‘A’ at Diggle; Springhead ‘A’ v Hollinwood Cricket ‘B’ at Church; Uppermill ‘B’ v Dunwood at Werneth Cricket; Delph ‘A’ v Shaw RBL ‘A’ at Springhead; Grapes v Shaw Comrades ‘B’ at Uppermill; Royton Park v Dobcross ‘A’ at Moorside.