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It's close at the top at halfway stage

Jamie Bramley and Frank Quigley
9/ 7/2008

BOWLS ROUND-UP: NEARLY all of the Stockport leagues have reached the halfway stage, so this week it’s time to take a look at which teams are near the top and bottom of the local divisions.

In the Stockport and District League, Nursery currently lead the way in A Division as they hold a 8.5 point cushion over Houldsworth WMC, who have a game in a hand.

New Mills have slipped out of the reckoning and lie in third position, with Whaley Bridge back in fourth.

At the bottom of A Division it is still looking bleak for Romiley Arms and George and Dragon seconds.

In B Division New Mills maintained their progress this week and top the tree narrowly from Victoria firsts.

Crown Hotel are only 7.5 points off the pace though, with a game in hand, as clubs hunt a valuable place in the top flight. At the foot of B Division Phillips and Grapes have struggled all season and both face the dreaded drop.

Great Moor seconds lead the third tier, with Cheadle Cons top of the fourth division and Nursery fourths top of the basement league.

Issues in the Stockport Parks evening league are far from close to being resolved.

In A Division, champions Heaton Norris have got a narrow advantage over Victoria firsts, with South Reddish back in third place.

It’s been a bleak year for Burnage since promotion last term and they look relegated along with Cale Green.

The B Division shows Marple Park leading the way, with Love Lane holding the second promotion spot, 22 chalks ahead of Victoria thirds.

The Tuesday night Cheadle and Gatley League has been a popular hunting ground for Heald Green in recent years, and they have a large lead over the rest at the top of that league’s A Division. At the bottom Ladybridge and Cheadle Heath look like they will be playing second tier bowls next season.

The Cheadle and Gatley Veteran’s League is one of the strongest around, and Crown Hotel are currently top from Great Moor CC.

In Division Two, Thorn Grove lead from South Reddish as they hunt for promotion to the top flight.

In the Brunner Cup this Saturday, Stockport’s only hope Houldsworth WMC line up in the semi-final against Lloyds from Chorlton.

The match will be played at Alderley Sports, with the winners up against Sale Excelsior or Higher Tranmere in the final.

LAST Wednesday’s Stockport Parks / Premier Bowls Open action at Vernon Park saw some big guns firing on all fronts.

The 2004 tournament winner Gary Ellis dispatched Roy Sutton 21-11, blasted Alan Fidler 21-6, and then wrapped up a good day when he demolished 1996 tournament winner Kevan Shaw 21-6 to reach another finals day.

Lee Lawton edged out John Dewey 21-20 before struggling to beat Roger Crowther 21-18.

He then beat Jason Lockett 21-14 to book his final day spot.

Robert Crawshaw surprisingly fell at the first hurdle, going down 21-11 against Alan Bidwell.

Today’s stop-off is at Alexandra Park where local interest comes from Lee Fletcher.

He was a junior tournament winner twice in the 1990s and has now become one of the top senior Cheshire county players. Topping the bill are Matt Gilmore, Barry Kirk and Stan Frith.

Next week the roadshow calls at Houldsworth Park where two past winners - Noel Burrows and Andy Spragg - top the bill. Locally, John Collins, Mark Mills and Mike Heald will be in action.

This Saturday is River Homes UK Open finals night at the Nursery Inn.

Play starts at 6pm, but be early to book your seat as it’s usually a full house.

A star-studded eight will battle it out for the prize money.

Four past winners - Barry Kirk, Glyn Cookson, G I Wilson and last year’s winner Ashley Daykin - could once again take the title, but I favour Noel Burrows.

Greater Manchester beat Yorkshire in the Endsleigh BCGBA County Championship 467-416 to reach the tournament semi-finals, while Derbyshire crushed Lancashire 460-371 to give them a last four spot.

Cheshire just missed out, although they beat Warwickshire and Worcester 427-408.

The damage was done in the last round when they lost to Shropshire.

Carl Armitage, who bowls for the Houldsworth Working Men’s Club in Reddish who play in the A Division of the Stockport and District League, lost in the final of the £5,225 John Lees Classic at Cleckheaton on Saturday night to Callum Wraight.

Armitage went down 21-15, but collected a runners-up cheque for £700.

Wraight walked away with his biggest-ever pay day of £1,200.

Paul Dudley beat Gary Ellis 21-15 to win the Greater Manchester Individual Senior Merit.