Bailey blasts through qualifying rounds
THE Navigation and Railway singles began on Sunday with the sun shining on the competitors.
In the qualifying games Dave Leigh of Quarry Bank rolled back the years to reach finals day.
Welshman John Bailey was in red hot form, confirming his place near the top of crown green bowls rankings.
Bailey ran riot, winning 21-4, 21-4 and 21-11 in an impressive round of qualifying.
Dave Rigby turned in a good solid afternoon’s play, culminating in a 21-17 win over Lee Schoefield to qualify.
The final player to make it to the big day on July 12th was Kevin Boon who stunned Paul Dudley and sent him home.
Play continues with the second heats this coming Sunday, action gets under way at 10am.
The Brunner Cup saw both Stockport clubs make it through to the quarter finals.
Houldsworth WMC made light of a good section of the draw, posting a comfortable success over Comberbach of mid-Cheshire.
Also making it through were Poynton Sports, who defeated last season’s semi finalists St Oswalds of Warrington.
It was full county weekend and a local derby between Greater Manchester and Cheshire took place across two venues. Cheshire’s hope of qualification took a major dent though as Greater Manchester thumped them by 81 at Waterloo and Taunton.
An overall victory of 33 for Greater Manchester means Cheshire now need a miracle to progress from a tricky group.
It’s Adshead Cup action this week in the Stockport and District Bowling league. Perhaps the most interesting game will see Houldsworth (1) trying to give Friendship (2) 92 chalks start at The Crown Hotel in Great Moor.
There is also an intriguing all first division clash between Waggon and Horses and Victoria taking place at Hadfield.
Also on the horizon is county parks action with the next round of matches taking place on Sunday June 21st 2015.
Cheshire are bottom of the group and will be looking to pick up some more points with two games remaining.