Rare loss for Tonge

BOWLS: TONGE suffered a rare Manchester Premier League defeat when they went down 8-7.5 (185-169) to the Nursery Inn, Stockport.


Tonge winners were Matt Gillies (21-20), Jimmy Derby (21-20), Gary Ellis (21-12), Darren Griffiths (21-13) and Nicky Brooks (21-15). Despite this setback, Tonge remain 19 points ahead of nearest pursuers South Manchester RBL with a game in hand. The club is at home to the Lloyd Hotel, Chorlton, next Wednesday (7.30pm).



GREATER Manchester has three representatives in the All-England Merit at Florence Private BC, Stoke, tomorrow (10am) - former Royton player Mike Holden, Radcliffe’s Paul Dudley and Stockport’s Andy Murray.



THE draw for the preliminary round of the Oldham Veterans League’s Jack Fitton pairs, to be played on July 31 (start and strike-out 1pm, no practice), is -



NIMBLE NOOK (two to qualify): B Chapman & D Williams (Chadderton Hall Park); J Jones & F Godfrey (Coalshaw Green Park); D Watts & A Murphy (Copster Park); R Morris & M Walkden (Dunwood Park); M Fitton & D Lord (North Chadderton); B Clark & P Guilfoyle, T Gowers & A Jackson (Springbank); C Bradbury & D Morris (Springhead Libs)

SPRINGBANK (three to qualify): A Wynn & D Hibbert (Chadderton Hall Park); B Horrocks & B Yates (Crompton); D Farrell & G Ball (Friezland); P Gartside & P Gemmell, F Cassidy & D Robinson (Nimble Nook); T Rogers & C Brooks (Royton Cricket); B O'Neill & B Carr (Springhead Libs); R Price & J Atkinson, B Seville & P Doherty (Stanley Road).

TONGE (three to qualify): G Everitt & J Cummins (Copster Park); D Brooks & D Mills (Dunwood Park); D Melling & S Bentley (Royton Cricket); T Meadowcroft & P Buckley (Royton Park); B Biggins & L Greenwood, A Bidwell & W McDermott, G Flint & M O'Donnell (Springbank); P Larkin & J Boyle (Springhead Libs); J Owen & E Worthington (Stanley Road).



NIMBLE Nook’s Matt Gillies and Springbank’s Paul Heap reached the final of the Nick Pearson Open Pairs at Edgworth BC, Bolton, only to lose 21-14 to local players Lee Evans and Darren Porter.



SPRINGBANK’S Steve Copeland and Ged Smedley joined forces to reach the finals of the Thwaites men’s pairs at Norden BC. They defeated Bamford’s Mark Armson and Michael Johnson 21-12 in the third round to secure their place.

Among those in action in the heats on Sunday (5.30pm) is another Springbank player, Paul Heap, who has yet to name his partner for the event.

The AC Ventilation women’s pairs continues to run in conjunction with the men’s event and there is a vacancy for the competition on Sunday, August 2. Entries at £5 are also being taken for the Your Choice men’s singles at the same venue.

Heats will be held on Sundays August 23 and 30, and September 6 and 13, with the finals on September 20.

Information: Steve or Jean on 01706 527219 or 0776 7674699.