Sophie eyeing Waterloo date

WATERLOO HOPES . . . talented bowler Sophie Rigney

OLDHAM'S Sophie Rigney has reached the final stages of a major bowls tournament at the tender age of 23.

Sophie, who has been engaged to well-known local bowler Martin Hodson since March, won two matches in the Women's Waterloo Handicap in Blackpool to book her place in the last 32 on Sunday, September 18.

If she were to reach the final, she would be on national television as ITV4 is screening it after the completion of the men's Waterloo Handicap on Wednesday, September 21.

Sophie, who plays for Springbank, Nimble Nook and Coalshaw Green Park, is in a rich vein of form, having recently finished top of the averages in the Women's Blackley League 'A' Division.

Her last-32 opponent in Blackpool will be Sue Rogers.

NIMBLE Nook and Tonge team-mates Gary Ellis and Matt Gillies carry local hopes in the last 64 of the Co-Op Funeral Care Waterloo Handicap in Blackpool on Saturday, September 17.

Five-times champion Ellis takes on Morecambe's Mark Martindale, while the winner will play either reigning Champion of Champions hero Callum Wraight of Shrewsbury or last year's Waterloo champion Greg Smith of Birmingham.

Gilles takes on Gary Wike (Leeds) for a place in the last 32, which will be held on Monday, September 19.

The last 16 and finals day, on Tuesday and Wednesday of the same week, will be screened live on ITV4.

ELLIS and recent British Parks Merit winner Jimmy Hynes are the Oldham flag bearers in the prestigious Grange Classic finals in Stockport tomorrow (5pm).

Ellis takes on Graeme Wilson (Audenshaw), who beat him 21-20 in a thrilling Pudsey Classic final last weekend, while Hynes will play Yorkshire's Mark Hughes.

A stellar field also includes Greg Smith, dual Waterloo champion Simon Coupe (Preston) and evergreen Winsford star Glynn Cookson.