Steve has a spring in his stride

JUST CHAMPION: Steve Copeland with the Greater Manchester Merit trophy.

BOWLS: STEVE Copeland had a day to remember on Saturday.

The Springbank left-hander, who has been in a rich vein of form, won the Greater Manchester Merit at the Legh Arms, Sale, in the afternoon.

He was in the money again that night when he reached the final of the Royle Classic in Rochdale, only to be beaten 21-20 by Rochdale’s Andrew Lowe.

Copeland’s Merit win earned him a place in the Champion of Champions tournament at Blackpool’s Waterloo Hotel in the autumn. It also made him one of three Manchester players to go forward to the all-England Merit next month.

He was joined by his 21-13 victim in the final, Mike Holden, the former Royton player who now captains Syke in the Chadderton League.

The third All-England qualifier was Andy Murray of Stockport, who has recently joined the GM set-up.

After his heroics in Sale, Copeland hot-footed it to Castleton in a bid for more success in the Royle Classic. He came within a whisker of a famous double, going down by the narrowest of margins but still earning himself a lucrative pay-out.

Copeland now has his sights on the Green Final Handicap at Royton on July 4. He is 9-4 favourite to win the Chronicle competition for a fourth time and as a former Royton member will fancy his chances.

The draw is: Simon Cawley v Matt Gillies; Steve Copeland v John Ashton; Keith McHugh v Matt O’Neill; Bob Carr v Keith Gledhill.



NIMBLE Nook have three players in the finals of the £1,550 JW Lees Classic at Hopwood Sports and Social Club on Sunday (1pm) after Jimmy Derby qualified in Friday’s final heat. Also through for Nook are reigning champion Nicky Brooks and Gary Ellis.