Eyes on prize! Green Final title up for grabs

WINNER . . . Darren Griffiths with the trophy in 2013

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TWO former champions and six players hoping to get their name on the trophy for the first time will battle it out for Green Final Handicap glory tonight.

North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club is the venue for this year's finals which see three of the eight players benefitting from home advantage.

Wilf McDermott, Colin Brooks and Barry Seville each represent North Chadderton in league matches, so all three have had two chalks removed from their original handicap marks.

It is 31 years since Royton player Brooks lifted the prestigious trophy, but the desire to do so again clearly remains and he is a vastly-experienced player who will not be fazed by the occasion.

Nor will his opponent. Springbank's McDermott is at the veteran stage, too, but his level of form remains as high as it ever was and neither of these two consistent performers will go down without a fight. Both are North Chadderton members and will play off scratch.

The winner of this match will take on either Martin Hodson (Springbank) or Darren Griffiths (Nimble Nook). This promises to be a cracker between the 2013 champion Griffiths and his younger opponent, who has plenty of experience at Chadderton League Division One level and has appeared on finals night before.

In the bottom half of the draw, Nook's Seville and Friezland's Malc Warhurst will compete for a place in the semi-finals.

Experience is very much the theme of this year's finals night and both players have bags of it, along with the ability to raise their game when it matters most.

Awaiting the winner of this match will be either Matt Gillies (Nimble Nook) or Lee Higginbottom (Royton).

Gillies has been beaten in two previous finals and many believe this to be his year. He is in top form and has the confidence gained from a big pairs tournament win with club-mate Colin Lane last weekend.

Higginbottom will be making his first appearance on finals night, but should not be underestimated. He played really well to qualify for the finals, is improving fast and some decent judges reckon he has a good future in the sport.

The draw, with handicaps and latest odds, is ­-

Hodson (2) 6-1 v Griffiths (2) 2-1; McDermott (scr) 8-1 v Brooks (scr) 10-1; Seville (scr) 10-1 v Warhurst (3) 16-1; Gillies (2) 6-4 v Higginbottom (2) 12-1. For odds inquiries, ring Mark Dwayre on 07808 914880.

The action gets under way at 6.30pm (gates open at 5.45pm) and spectators are asked to pay a £1 programme donation. Cash raised will go to charities.