Home heroics keep County in the hunt

County bowls action

BOWLS:

GREATER Manchester have a chance to qualify for the semi- finals of the Endsleigh County Championship after beating Cheshire by 32 chalks.

Victory was achieved thanks to a sensational performance by the home team at Waterloo and Taunton.

Some big Cheshire names, including Tommy Johnstone and Noel Burrows, bit the dust as Manchester won by 81 chalks.

Manchester lost by 49 at the away venue of the Hazel Pear, but that was no disgrace given the complex nature of the green they encountered.

Away manager Keith Rudman said: “It was a very difficult away venue, but the lads battled for every chalk and to lose by 49 chalks was no shame.

“It is especially pleasing to win by so many at home. I don’t think that’s happened for a long time and it seems we have unearthed a home green we can rely on.

“Some of the performances by the young lads in the middle were obviously outstanding.

“Qualification is still not in our own hands, but it’s in the melting pot. Ourselves, Derbyshire and Cheshire can still go through, so we have to win well in our last group match against Cumbria.”

Results -


At Waterloo and Taunton


(Manchester names first): Chris Heyes 21, Carl Armitage 18; Dave Walker 21, Ryan Sandham 5; Charlie Roberts 21, Lee Fletcher 16; Chris Haynes 18, Phil Davies 21; Matt Gillies 21, Danny Roberts 8; Jack Hargreaves 21, Tommy Johnstone 7; Ben Gloag 21, Noel Burrows 14; Lee Turner 21, Matt Gatley 8; Paul Heap 21, Dave Penketh 14; Colin Price 21, Michael McDonnell 19; John Ashton 21, Paul Dooley 19; John Davies 21, Lee Johnstone 19.


At Hazel Pear:


Dave Phillips 10, Glyn Cookson 21; Jimmy Derby 9, Steve Morrey 21; Darren Griffiths 21, Danny Nixon 15; Nigel Greenhalgh 21, Tom Vickers 9; Darren Porter 5, Jason Cornes 21; Ben Phillips 21, Paul Mackie 10; Mike Geraghty 7, Simon Cookson 21; Gary Ellis 20, Andy Hamman 21; Steve Leach 6, Rob Winnington 21; Steve Copeland 21, Matt Thurlwell 19; Andy Murray 5, Shaun Yearsley 21; Gareth Gwilliam 21, Steve Curbishley 16.