Ellis targets last 16 spot

BOWLS: 

FIVE-times champion Gary Ellis was today bidding to grab a place in the last 16 of the Waterloo Bowling Handicap in Blackpool.

The Nimble Nook and Tonge star, who as reigning champion concedes two start to the rest of the field, continued his progress towards a possible record-breaking sixth title with a 21-17 defeat of Stoke's Kerry Morris.

But he faced a tough job today against his friend Paul Dudley, himself one of the favourites to win crown green bowling's most prestigious prize.

Ellis’s Nook and Tonge team-mate Jimmy Derby suffered a 21-11 last-64 defeat to Liverpool’s Matt Gilmore.

The final two days of the competition will be screened live on ITV4 tomorrow and Wednesday, starting at 10am.