Hail and snow undermine start of the season
LAST Tuesday saw the long awaited return of bowling in the Stockport and District league top flight.
After months of lockdown many couldn’t wait to get back outside and on the greens. The weather on the opening night of most bowls seasons is typically bleak.
This time round competitors were greeted to hail storms, snow, ice and freezing temperatures.
The conditions became so bad up at New Mills that right before kick off their match with Victoria was postponed for another day.
Elsewhere in the S and D “A” Division despite the hazardous conditions the season began in earnest.
At Whaley Bridge a flurry of hail meant the bowls became like large snow balls for those playing in the first four. Visitors Great Moor took an almighty blow when Will Archibald (21-2) and Dave Jackson (21-8) made sure they didn’t stay in the cold for too long.
The men from Store Street did hit back though with Scott Smith (21-8) and Johnny Chapman (21-12) securing away day victories.
The game ended up on an even keel with both sides recording five winners each to share the spoils.
The hosts did however nick the all important aggregate to take the match 8-7.5 and opened their campaign up with a win.
LMRCA started life in A Division with a tricky trip to title hopefuls Poynton Sports.
The home side looked extremely strong on paper and so it also proved on the green. Lee Fletcher (21-2) and Ben Holbrook (21-3) tanked in for The Sports to send out a message to their rivals.
The visitors bad night continued with three more single figure losses.
The away side did muster one winner on the night (21-15) but this was a rude awakening for the newly promoted Rail Men.
The only other match that survived the weather was an eye-catching win for Hadfield 9-6 over title contenders George and Dragon.
Nigel Armstrong (21-7) and Peter Conway (21-11) were the aggregate winning cards for the Field.
Peter Thomas took the notable scalp of Jack Hargreaves (21-19) on the back of Hargreaves recent sweep victory at Castle Private.
The opening night proved an interesting one with all the home sides securing victorys.
The overall feeling though was that bowls being back was the major victory for all.
One fixture did take place in the S and D Second Division with Great Moor (2) taking five winners and the aggregate away from Grapes Hotel (2).
OPENING NIGHT RESULTS:
Whaley Bridge 8 Great Moor 7.5- Will Archibald 21 Guy Starkie 2, Chris Adams 16 Craig Southwick 21, Mark Whelan 21 Keith Tonge 16, Richard Slack 15 Andrew Tonge 21, Dan Golpin 21 Adam Smith 15, Colin Parrott 8 Scott Smith 21, Gavin Peatfield 12 Johnny Chapman 21, Kyle Brown 17 John Chapman 21, Dave Jackson 21 Bernie Thorley 8, Paul Hawker 21 Tom Danby 15
POYNTON SPORTS 12 LMRCA 1.5:
Mal Sims 21 John Walter 13, Phil Oldham 15 Jamie Bramley 21, Ben Holbrook 21 Mick Tocher 3, Lee Fletcher 21 Dave Easley 2, Mike Heald 21 Craig Butterfield 7, Tony Stevens 21 Kevin Bannister 17, Graeme Coldwell 21 Keith Wardle 11, S J Allen 21 Andy Raistrick 12, Chris Wood 21 Dave Wardle 6, Darren Flannery 21 Martin Beard 7
HADFIELD 9 GEORGE AND DRAGON 6:
Richard Armstrong 20 Ron Newton 21, Peter Conway 21 Ant Walker 11, Peter Thomas 21 Jack Hagreaves 19, Peter Bunting 21 Chris Heyes 18, Dave Thomas 13 Charlie Roberts 21. Ian Cranston 21 Chris Lord 19, John Rothwell 16 Colin Leishman 21, Alan Yates 21 Chris Haynes 16, Nigel Armstrong 21 G Jackson 7, Iain Taylor 20 Chris Kearns 21