Bowls: Dale faces tough test as he attempts to win Astley title

COUNTY champion Lee Dale will take on Florence's Matt Fallows in a heavyweight battle in the last 16 round of the Ted Astley Memorial Trophy.

The final few will meet at Birches Head Hotel tomorrow to decide who will take home this year's trophy.

Middleport Park duo Nick Tideswell and Joe Melvin will also meet when play starts at 2pm.

Draw: M Fellows v L Dale; J Price v M Simcock; J Melvin v N Tideswell; T Colclough v A Bailey; J Brown v K Simpson; A Lloyd v D Higginson; A Steele v J Black; D Beardmore v A Stevenson.

BIRCHES Head Hotel will take on Middleport Park in a mouthwatering final of the Potteries Senior Challenge Cup on Tuesday.

Middleport are trying to reclaim the title they won in 2010 while the Hotel, the 2011 Sentinel Cup champions, will certainly be no pushovers.

Congleton Park took the prize last year, but the trophy has been shared between this summer's finalists in 19 years out of the past 20.

The two teams met in the 2009 final, when Birches Head recorded a 195-174 triumph.

A large crowd is expected to watch the action at Fegg Hayes Bowling Club, starting at 6.45pm.

OAKHILL and Tittensor will go head-to-head for the Stubbs Trophy tomorrow. Play will start at 2pm at Little Stoke.

EIGHT remaining pairs will play off for the Sentinel Charities Fodens Doubles top honour tomorrow.

The ladies competition will come to a head at Barlaston Plume of Feather, when play starts at noon.

Results: G Shenton/L Sims 10, H McDonald/M Stretch 21; L Rowley/N Bowers 21, J Finney/S Manley 12; G Ackerley/S Leese 21, P Blake/S Smith 13; O Whiston/M Wright 21, C Steele/M Ellis 19; L Hamer/J Salmon 20, E Thomas/J Mack 21; P Yates/S Norcott 18, K Evans/L Evans 21; S Holmes/M Harrison 14, C Adams/J Hope 21.

THE Potteries and District County bowls team have completed a hat-trick of wins in an annual county trophy match against Civil Service Sports Council.

Ian Simpson (Florence Tennis and Bowling) was the big winner on the day when he recorded a 21-8 success against Paul Whiteley (Blackpool).

In the end, the Potts posted a 229-203 victory at Little Stoke Bowling Club.

Result (Potteries players listed first): R Holt 16, A Eddie 21; M Wood 21, R Stopford 18; P Burndred 21, B Hough 13; M Holland 21, M Bennett 12; A Knight 18, A Goodair 21; J Towey 13, I Taylor 21; M Adams 14, P Burrows 21; K Simpson 21, R Candlin 13; I Simpson 21, P Whiteley 8; C Kearns 21, C Lord 17; G Berrisford 21, A Lane 10; M Norcup 21, C Gale 18.

BADDELEY Green are running a senior and junior doubles competition on Sunday, September 30.

Entry is open to 16 pairs, costing £10 per pair.

For more information call Malcolm Jones on (01782) 862930.

THE Alan Purcell Memorial pairs competition will take place on October 17.

The event, organised by Middleport Park, costs £15 to enter with proceeds going to charity. Only one home bowler per pair.

For more information call Mark Melvin on 07828 147760.

VACANCIES remain for the Alsager Institute Bob Harper £1,060 Open singles competition.

The event will be held throughout this month, with spaces still available for heats on Monday, September 17; Tuesday, September 18; Thursday, September 20; and Friday, September 21.

Play will start at 6.30pm on each qualifying evening with the final on Sunday, September 23 (noon).

Entry costs £15. For more information call Brin Jones (01270) 882616 or 07818 693328.

THE London Road 2012 Open Pairs will be launched later this month.

Qualifying will take place on Monday, September 24; Tuesday, September 25, Thursday, September 27 and Monday, October 1, all starting at 6.30pm.

Eight pairs will play down to two each evening with finals night on Tuesday, October 2.

Entry costs £10. For more information call Alan Johnson (01782) 564076 or Margaret Ellis (01782) 628369.

MEIR Social Bowling Club will host a seminar on green maintenance on Saturday, September 29 from 9.30am until 3.30pm. Admission £15.