Murray’s mint form takes title

ON Monday The Freddie Hulme Memorial took place at Houldsworth Working Mens Club.

Home bowler Andy Murray put out several top names to reach the final where he was joined by Simon Coupe.

Murray was in mint form and using strong bowls kept the title at home winning 21-14.

The S and D continued on Tuesday with Victoria taking result of the evening over in Handforth. The team from Offerton are having a vintage season and the 12-4 victory on the night was well deserved. Top spot is Houldsworth’s and they continued to be on course for another title thanks to an 11-3 result. Robert Lawrenson (21-6) and David Teasdale (21-8) took the best cards for Terry Gale’s side.

Elsewhere, Woodley Sports bounced back from a disappointing two weeks with an 11-3 win over Houldsworth Second Team.

League action now takes a back burner with Bill Adshead Cup games taking place.

On Saturday The Nursery Classic started on a very heavy surface down at Green Lane. Sheffield bowler Ryan Clark put out Mark Bennett in round one with a polished display. Clark then overcame Jamie Bramley in a cracking match up at the last end 21-20.

The trip over the Pennines was worthwhile for Clark as he completed qualification with a close win over Whaley Bridge man Paul Hawker.

In the top half of the draw Potteries player Tony Lloyd stunned the well fancied Chris Kelly 21-18. Lloyd then banked his spot in finals day with a narrow victory over Steve Ellis 21-19. It’s the same again on Saturday with play underway from 6pm at Green Lane.

Sunday saw full county action taking place with Cheshire and Greater Manchester both in action. GM made a strange green selection and were made to pay for it against a very strong Yorkshire side. The white rose county won by close to 100 shots and look one of the favourites to win the Crossfield Cup.

Cheshire gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a stubborn defeat of the Potteries and District. In a wide open group Cheshire won home and away.