Joy for Preston in Shipley showdown

7:39pm Tuesday 4th September 2007

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Shipley Bowling Club's John Preston got the better of fellow member Adrian Briggs to win the annual Frank Mitchell Merit at Rawdon.

Having bowled well all day, Preston beat Briggs 21-10 in the final following successes over Baildon's N Winder (21-7) and B Ramsden (21-17), Tarnfield's T Hasselby (21-15) and Myrtle's M Barker (21-9).

Despite the wet conditions, the 25 bowlers who took part produced some excellent bowling.

The latest qualifiers in the Brighouse Classic were Dave Jackson (Macclesfield), who beat James Scott (Halifax) 21-9, and Matt Kelly-Walley (Derby), who knocked out Roy Nicholson 21-14.

Gary Ellis begins the defence of his title on Friday with a tough opening round against Sheffield's Chris Kelly.

Also in action in a high-quality field are Spring Waterloo champion Andrew Buckley, Heckmondwike winner Darren Griffiths and Hill Crest's Jim Derby.

Meanwhile, Ronnie Wormald (Brig-house) and Richard Howson (Sheffield) were the next pair to qualify in the Pudsey Classic.

It was a Mirfield Old Bank double in the Spen Classic as Alan Thompson and Andrew Sykes were the latest qualifers. Thompson conceded only 20 points in his three qualifying games and Sykes was just as impressive.

His toughest game was a 21-15 success over Brian Lawton (Warrington) in his first game. Former Bradford City footballer Mark Leonard, from St Helens, is in action in Saturday's qualifier.

The Farsley Pairs starts on Sunday, September 23, with an 11am start, and runs for eight weeks, the final taking place on Sunday, November 18.

Each week, 16 pairs will play down to two, with 16 pairs making the finals day. The entry fee is £8 per pair and all entry fees are paid back out in prize money. The total pot will be £1,000, with a first prize of £400. Anyone interested should contact Geoff Lacey on 0113-2298119.

Brighouse Classsic draw (Friday, 6.30pm): Andrew Buckley (Chadderton) v Stuart Goodwin (Warrington), Gary Smith (Wakefield) v Kevin Wainwright (Warrington), Gary Ellis (Whitefield) v Chris Kelly (Sheffield), Mick Bastow (Skipton) v Dean Ferris (Leek), Ryan Clark (Sheffield) v Carl Armitage (Warrington), Jim Derby (Radcliffe) v David Walker (Leeds), Mark Ferris (Leek) v Paul Dudley (Radcliffe), Glenn Smith (Wakefield) v Darren Griffiths (Chadderton).

Pudsey Classic draw (Saturday): Graham Wood (Littlemoor) v S Cooper (Mirfield OB); E Wearing (Meersbrook) v G Wilson (Lower Hopton); J Webster (Alverthorpe) v D Plenderleith (Haunchwood); M Bower (Meersbrook) v M Tunstall (Merseyside); C Brown (Swinton) v G Smith (Lower Hopton); A Kenyon (Elland) v I Tordoff (Merseyside); D Price (Mirfield OB) v C Mordue (Brighouse); P Firth (Lower Hopton) v M Fulton (Littlemoor).

Spen Classic draw (Saturday): Mick Pollard (Mirfield) v I Ross (Sheffield); K Shaw (Bolton) v A Garside (St Helens); J Muff (Holmes Chapel) v J McDonnell (Manchester); D Scott (Halifax) v A Cairns (Rossendale); Andrew Walker (Conisborough) v M McDonnell (Manchester); G Hickey (Halifax) v L Lawton (Manchester); H Hornby (Preston) v M Leonard (St Helens); R Jackson (Sheffield) v G Cookson (Manchester).

Pudsey Littlemoor A got the better of Eccleshill A with a 17-13 victory in the Naylor League thanks to a superb 21-2 demolition from Graham Wood, ably assisted by Martin Fulton (21-8).

Eccleshill B boosted their survival chances with a 20-10 home win over Clayton A thanks to an impressive 21-6 success by Ian Matthews.

Pudsey Britannia A are looking at inevitable relegation after they were outclassed 28-2 at Cross Roads. Alan Thornber (21-3), Paul Haigh (21-6), Phil Anderson (21-7), Trevor Hargreaves (21-7), Richard Hargreaves (21-8) and Steve Pickles (21-9) did the damage for the hosts.

Gary Whelan (21-5) was the pick of eight home winners as promotion-seeking Asa Briggs A beat Horsforth Woodside A 22-8 in the Godwin League.

Guiseley A continued their recent good form with a 19-11 win over neighbours Rufford A, thanks in part to Graham Oliver (21-4). Jenny Berry (21-4) and Bob Lancaster (21-8) helped Heckmondwike gain the edge over Wyke A 17-13.

Leaders Crossgates suffered only their second defeat of the season - their first at home - as Spen Victoria B left with a 16-14 success. Brighouse Sports B beat basement club Pudsey Littlemoor B 17-13, with Peter Owen (21-5) and David Southwell (21-6) starring.

Trevor Worsman produced a great 21-9 triumph for Knowles A in their Observer League match at Drighling-ton A but still found himself on the losing side in a 22-8 defeat.

Crowghyll A helped their promotion bid with a 19-11 win over Low Moor Harold thanks to Geoff Shores (21-6) and Tony Walton (21-7). Bramley Libs A were 18-12 victors at Queensbury A, with Mark McCann (21-6) and Peter Howarth (21-8) starring. Tyersal A carded seven away winners in their impressive 18-12 success at Wibsey A.

Bartle League leaders Greengates only just overcame bottom club Pudsey Britannia B 16-14 thanks in particular to a stunning 21-1 victory from Peter Wilson.

Bramley Libs B got the better of Bowling A in an 18-12 home success, despite a great 21-8 win from Bowling's Bob Etherington.

Second-placed West lost 16-14 to Clayton B as a tie on the aggregate made the difference. Lister A still feel they can catch West and were helped with a 23-7 home win over Stanningley, which included a vintage 21-4 performance from Nino Esposito.

Harold Park were 20-10 winners over Spen Ex-Service in the Haigh League, Andy Walker (21-4) enjoying their biggest success. Salts continued their good form in an 18-12 victory at Pudsey C.

BBA's 24-6 home win over Bradford Moor helped their promotion cause, with Colin Wailes cruising home 21-5. Wyke B produced a must-win 18-12 home victory over Horton A, while Rufford B remain bottom despite a 17-13 win (John Brennan 21-2) over leaders Asa Briggs B.

David Hall (21-6) helped West Royd to a 17-13 triumph over Wibsey B in the Riley League. Leaders Brackenhill A suffered a 17-13 defeat at Horsforth Woodside B, as Mick Froggatt (21-4), Don Mitchell (21-6) and Peggy Stoddart (21-7) did the damage.

Wendy Andrews 21-8 helped Birken-shaw to a 22-8 home win over Shelf A, despite Shirley Crowther's 21-9 victory for Shelf.

Peter Gibson produced a great 21-5 win for bottom club Queensbury C in their Field Packaging League match at Tyersal B but still found himself on the losing side in a 27-3 defeat. Fred Taylor (21-5), Pat Cates (21-5) and Eileen Willoughby (21-9) saw Horton B cruise home 24-6 against Lister B.

Knowles B slipped up 21-9 at home to Bailiff Bridge, which meant Guiseley B moved into second spot with a 23-7 win at Peel C, with Norman Lickley the pick.

Already-crowned Mellor League champions Ladyhill B were 21-9 winners at Wibsey C, with Pat Lonsdale 21-7 the pick of seven away winners.

Shipley Club were 23-7 conquerors at West Bradford B, thanks in particular to Joan Brown (21-2).