It's crunch time for Nimble Nook

LEADING THE WAY . . . Darren Griffiths

NIMBLE Nook face a crucial fixture in their bid to complete a hat-trick of Chadderton Bowling League 'A' Division titles.

Winners in 2014 and 2015, Nook will go a long way to making it three in a row should they achieve a positive result away to title rivals Meltham on Monday night.

Nook are currently leading the way with 152.5 points from 14 fixtures.

Second-placed Meltham have 146 from 15, while George and Dragon, in third, are on 137.5 from 14 matches.

The odds are stacked in Nook's favour, but Meltham's away test and a trip to the George and Dragon late in the season suggests another title is anything but a straightforward formality.

Meltham is a particularly tough green for visitors to master and defeat for Nook could throw the title race wide open again.

Nook warmed up for Monday's showdown with a 10-4.5 home victory over Hopwood.

Darren Griffiths led the way with a 21-6 dismissal of Nigel Fryer, while Yorkshire import Neil Slattery was next best with a 21-10 verdict against Clive Chapman.

IT'S semi-finals weekend in the Endsleigh County Championship.

Greater Manchester are out, along with Warwick and Worcester, champions for the last four seasons.

So opportunity knocks for four other counties on Sunday.

Shropshire take on North Lancs and Fylde and Yorkshire meet Staffordshire.

ENTRIES are being accepted for the ,£640 Tottington Conservative Club pairs, which has heats on Fridays September 2, 9, 16 and 23.

The finals night showpiece is on Saturday, October 1 (6pm).

Cost is £20 per pair. Ring Nick Turrell on 07961 285898.

TONGE maintained their Manchester Premier League title challenge with an 8-4.5 (143-119) home victory over the King and Queen, Warrington.

Gary Smith led the way with a 21-7 success, while there were also wins for Jimmy Derby (21-8), Darren Griffiths (21-11), Donny Wilkinson (21-11) and Gary Ellis (21-19).

Tonge are away to the Lloyd Hotel, Chorlton, next Wednesday.