Tonge close in on title delight

IN GOOD NICK . . . Matt Gillies

TONGE took a major step towards retaining their Manchester Premier League title with a stunning 13.5-1 victory at Liverpool outfit Richmond last night.

Darren Griffiths led the way with a 21-4 return, but arguably the best display of the night came from Steve Leach, who defeated home team captain Jimmy Fagan 21-6.

Other winners for Tonge were Jimmy Derby (21-6), Nigel Greenhalgh (21-7), Gary Ellis (21-11), Thomas Dobson (21-16) and Matt Gillies (21-18).

Derby, who is almost certain to win the league averages prize, clinched the last-man standing award the previous evening when beating the similarly-unbeaten Mike Geraghty 21-15 on his home turf at the Lloyd Hotel, Chorlton.

Tonge's title rivals won the match 8-4.5, but last night's result for the local lads put them firmly back on track.

Other winners for Tonge at Chorlton were Gillies (21-14) and Dobson (21-19).

Tonge's last fixture of the season is at South Manchester Royal British Legion next Wednesday (7.30pm) when a positive result will see them retain the prestigious MPL crown.

NIMBLE Nook have one hand on the Chadderton League 'A' Division crown after winning 10.5-5 at big rivals Meltham.

The Yorkshire team needed a big result to keep their hopes alive, but suffered a rare home defeat against the Chadderton aces.

NORDEN Bowling Club will be the venue for AC Ventilation Ladies Pairs finals night on Sunday (5pm practise for 5.30pm start).

Draw -

M Lyons/V Lyon (Liverpool) v L Eccles/A Harrison (Wirrall); J Gloag/A Wilde (Hyde) v S Ainscough/L Consterdine (Bolton); J Gardner/B Hodge (Birmingham) v M Hazledine/N Turner (Whitworth); D Sturman/C Ness (Healey/Halifax) v L Connolly/D Dwyer (Royle).

IAN Turrell and Paul Atherden (Tottington) won the Thwaites Mens' Pairs at Norden.

Results -

Quarter-finals: I Turrell/P Atherden 21, B and A Thornton (Barrow) 9; M Hobson/J Powell (Sheffield) 21, C Goulding/C Eccles (Wirral) 15; B Gloag/C J Bly (Hyde/Bury) 21, B Collinge/A Fergus (Syke) 19; P Leah/D Hibbert (Ashton) 17, A and A Rushton (Rochdale) 21. Semi-finals: I Turrell/P Atherden 21, M Hobson/J Powell 16; B Gloag/C J Bly 21, A & A Rushton 19. Final: I Turrell/P Atherden 21, B Gloag/C J Bly 11.