Jonathan completes Waterloo hat-trick

Jonathan Copeland

BOWLS: MOST players go through life without winning a major competition at the home of crown green bowls.

But at 18, Jonathan Copeland already boasts a hat-trick of titles at the Waterloo Hotel in Blackpool.

The rising star from Chadderton landed the Junior Waterloo title for the third successive year on Sunday when he beat Hyde’s Ben Gloag 21-15 in the final.

And he fought his way through a field containing many of the country’s top juniors despite conceding three chalks all round.

The handicap was imposed following his successes in 2008 and 2009.

Jonathan, a member of the Tonge team which is marching towards the Manchester Premier League, displayed his mastery of all areas of the Blackpool green.

But it was his excellence in the corners which proved the decisive factor during his final appearance in a competition he can no longer enter because of his age.

Now Jonathan has his sights set on the senior competition next month.

Having already reached the last 64, he hopes to continue his progress.

But some of his Tonge team-mates, including reigning champion Gary Ellis, may well have something to say about that!



THE Tonge Classic is back on the bowling calendar after a short absence, with a new sponsor in P P Plasma and total prize money of £2,010.

The first heats will take place on Thursday (7pm) when the draw is:

L Heaton v P Heap; C Mordue v K McHugh; A Buckley v T Riley; M Hodson v S Ellison; G Law v Greg Ellis; M Leach v C Jenkins; R Cochrane v L Lawton; C MacDonald v S McHugh.

THE final of the Oldham Women’s League’s Peter Wild Cup will be held at Hollinwood Cricket Club on Friday (6.45pm) when Springbank ‘A’ take on Royton Cricket ‘A’.