Copeland eyes Champions’ title

BOWLS: GREEN Final Handicap winner Steve Copeland will bid for glory in the Champion of Champions’ event at the Waterloo Hotel in Blackpool tomorrow (10am).

The end-of-season tournament, as befits its title, features some of crown green bowling’s brightest stars. Among them will be recent Waterloo Handicap winner Greg Smith and five-times Waterloo champion Gary Ellis of Nimble Nook and Tonge.

Springbank’s Copeland qualified as the Greater Manchester Merit winner and he opens his bid in the 32-strong field against Lee Dale (Potteries). Ellis, who qualified via the Hillcrest Classic, faces a tough first round against Richmond Classic winner John Bailey, another former Waterloo champion.

Ellis is the 9-2 second favourite behind Smith (5-2). Copeland is quoted at 25-1, which underlines the quality of the field.