BURY, Radcliffe and Tottington crown green bowlers have signalled their intention to make an immediate return to the FCGBA Division Three after dropping just nine of the 32 points available in their Queen Anne Glass sponsored clash with Fylde A.

In the home leg at Huntley, Bury shared the opening games with the visitors as home player Joe Carr was beaten by Paul Dawson (16) and Les Fishwick battled with in-form Jackie Manson before succumbing to her 21-20.

Bury hit back with wins for Malcolm Stretch (9), John Pearson (14) and Chris Ireland, who beat ex-Huntley player Jim Seeley.

Bury’s lead was increased after Dave Wright and Paul Atherden both won to 14.

Les Toth then put the home leg out of Fylde’s reach, using his home green knowledge in a 21-5 thrashing of Jim Kenny.

With the home aggregate now secure, Bury set about their win tally. Paul Gardner made it seven when pulling away from Barry Jenkinson. Chaz Howarth let a massive 19-9 lead slip against Dennis Foxton, before just getting home 21-20.

Pat McGuirk suffered a similar fate to Foxton but lost to Bill Livsey with the third 21-20 score of the leg.

The away leg, played at the Raikes Hotel, Blackpool, saw captain Matt ONeill and Terry Lytham, lead the way for Bury with wins of 11 and 10 respectively.

Then followed a quartet of close games, Kevin Newbery and Gary Sandiford completed the opening session by both winning 21-20, and Bev Harper made it a third winner to 20 for Bury.

Unfortunately for Bury, Fylde picked up their first winner when the fourth consecutive 21-20 result went to Dave Wilson.

Wilson’s win was followed up with two more, John Martin and Frank Anders reducing Fylde’s deficit to within a dozen chalks. However, as at Huntley, the BRaT’s sealed the aggregate with a single figure winner.

Thomas Taylor’s 21-9, coupled with Chris Harris’s 21-15, put the away leg beyond Fylde’s reach.

The next match is June 24, against North Yorkshire, the team is: Home: Walmersley Conservative Club: John Pearson, Paul Atherden, Malcolm Stretch, Dave Wright, Les Fishwick, Tommy Taylor, Chris Ireland, George Chadwick, Neil Kirkman, Pat McGuirk, Les Toth, Dave Howells.

Away: Matt ONeill, Kevin Newbury, Chris Harris, Joe Carr, Stuart Jones, John Sandiford, Gary Sandiford, Ian Meadowcroft, Bev Harper, Terry Lytham, Harry Hargreaves Wayne Usher.

Cry-offs should call either Paul on 01204 522538, 07752 639045 email: paul.atherden@o2.com or Matt ONeill 07725 461252 email: dippydeskdolly@aol.com or John Woodward on 07973 521327 email: john@woodward15.freeserve.co.uk.