James pips dad Andy to pairs crown

THE mercury dropped below zero on Sunday just in time for the winter bowling at Love Lane.

Following last week’s cancellation due to a flooded green 22 hardy bowlers were desperate for a game.

New faces this week included Chris Telford and Dave Stott from Timperley and Anthony Dean from Houldsworth WMC. The green this winter has been in excellent condition and was again running well.

It proved to be a day of shocks as Steve Ellis and Jamie Bramley were dumped out in round 1.

Pairs title contenders Chris Barlow and Shaun Miller fell next, beaten 14-21 by Buxton’s Mary Timmins and Nick Thorpe.

With those results all eyes fell on Leigh Smith and James Jones who had a big opportunity in the bottom half. The Woodley pairing started smoothly winning 21-5 then seeing off the giant killing Timmins and Thorpe.

In the opposite half of the draw Andy Jones and Dave Betts were going along nicely.

The men from Stalybridge secured victory over in-form Danielle Miller and Anthony Dean in the semi finals.

That result set up a father versus son final with dad Andy to face son James.

It seemed to be a cruise for Andy Jones and Dave Betts as they raced 7-2 and 13-5 up. Leigh Smith and James Jones had other ideas though and came storming back to 17 across.

It was son James who got the bragging rights as he and Leigh Smith completed a fine comeback win.

In the flyer the shocks continued and Chris Telford picked up the pieces to defeat Liam Lambert in the final.

Love Lane will face South Lakes in the home leg of the inter town challenge on Sunday February 19th 2017.

The selected home team is as follows: 1Jamie Bramley (Sale Excelsior) Captain 2Chris Barlow (SMRBL) 3- Shaun Miller (Houldsworth WMC) 4- John Davies (SMRBL) 5- Danielle Miller (Houldsworth WMC Ladies) 6- Ben Gloag (Nursery Inn) 7- Andy Raymond (Altrincham Borough) 8- Ian Stokes (Victoria) 9- Ian Cranston (Hadfield) 10- Steve Ellis (Sale Excelsior) 11- Leigh Smith (Woodley Sports) 12James Jones (Woodley Sports) 13- Andy Jones (Stalybridge Rec) 14John Cunningham (West Heaton).

Pairings 1- John Davies and Mike Bacon, 2- Jamie Bramley and Andy Raymond 3- Rodger Miller and Steve Crowther.