Ex-champions bid for encore

JOHN ASHTON

7 More Image(s) In Gallery

THREE former champions, a last-eight regular and four players for whom finals night will be a new experience will tomorrow bid for Oldham Evening Chronicle Bowling Handicap glory.

Steve Copeland (three times), Andrew Buckley (twice) and Alan Hodson (once) have all tasted victory in this prestigious competition.

Darren Griffiths, beaten finalist last year and a player who has come so close to winning the title on several occasions, will be bidding to finally have his name engraved on the winner’s trophy.

But anyone who underestimates finals-night “rookies” Garry Coverdale, Lee Schofield, Barrie Sowerby and John Ashton do so at their peril.

It all promises to be a special occasion at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club tomorrow when play opens with the clash of Greater Manchester team-mates Copeland (Springbank) and Griffiths (Nimble Nook).

In receipt of one chalk start, Copeland will be fancied to reach the semi-finals, but this is a really hard one to call and it is no surprise that the bookies can’t split them.

Buckley (Nimble Nook) will be expected by most to defeat Coverdale, but the latter has home green advantage and played superbly to qualify during the heats at Crompton so a tight match is in prospect.

Schofield receives one start from Hodson (Springbank), who won the competition two years ago and clearly loves the fast-running North Chadderton surface.

This is another game which could go down to the wire and the same applies to the clash of another North Chadderton representative Ashton, who takes on Church Inn’s Barrie Sowerby.

The action gets under way at the earlier time of 5.30pm, admission is £1 and a raffle will be held during play.

Gate receipts and proceeds from the raffle will go to the competition's charity fund.