Copeland shines, but Ellis retains his title

BOWLS:

NIMBLE Nook and Tonge teammates Gary Ellis and Jonathan Copeland fought out the final of the Oceanico Bowls Masters in Portugal.

And it was the former, winner of the inaugural event a year ago, who prevailed 21-8 against the precocious teenager.

Ellis (37) picked up 2,000 Euros for his efforts, while Copeland had the consolation of a 1,000 Euros runner-up prize.

The week-long event at the Amandeoira resort on the Algarve attracted many of Britain's top bowlers and it was Ellis who always looked the most likely champion.

A 21-4 quarter-final winner against Dave Jackson, Ellis had his only major test in the semi-final when he came back from 19-18 down to beat Wayne Ditchfield 21-19.

Copeland, meanwhile, fought back from 18-9 down to beat Tommy King 21-19 in the last eight, and followed that up with a 21-8 dismissal of Richie Goddard.

That set up a final showdown against Ellis, whose experience and knowhow proved too much for the 18-year-old, who succumbed 21-8.

There was no disgrace in losing to the game's number one, however, and Copeland's performance in this major event was clearly his greatest achievement so far. The future looks bright given his current rate of progress.

The finals of the competition will be shown on Sky Sports. Dates and times have still to be announced.




ROY Travis beat Mike Chamberlain 21-16 in the final of Stalybridge St Paul’s Cricket Club winter competition.