Chronicle finale rich in promise

LEE SCHOFIELD

7 More Image(s) In Gallery

FOLLOWING a break of five years, the Oldham Evening Chronicle Handicap finals return to Royton Cricket and Bowling Club tomorrow (6.30pm).

And a superb night’s bowling is in prospect with no less than five former champions, a beaten finalist, a losing semi-finalist and one of the most popular figures in the local game fighting it out for the prestigious Chronicle trophy.

Opening proceedings will be 1997 winner David Carpenter (Delph), who takes on last year’s beaten semi-finalist, Barbara Cooper, on her home green.

This is a game which could go either way, with both having experience of finals night and the pressures involved.

The second game promises to be a classic.

Peter Craig (Syke), champion in 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2009, will play Steve Copeland (Springbank), the winner in 1982, 1999 and 2003.

The latter was once a member at Royton and knows every blade of grass on the green, but Craig, too, is a specialist on this surface, having won the title three times at the venue.

Bob Horrocks (Crompton) may be 65, but the local league official and organiser of many competitions is playing as well as ever.

He won four matches in one night at Stanley Road Conservative Club to qualify and his reward is a quarter-final clash against 2004 winner Mark Dwayre.

With home advantage, Dwayre will fancy his chances, but he has to concede four chalks and that could be a tough task against an experienced campaigner.

Finally, Alan Hodson (Springbank), the 2008 hero, plays Lee Schofield (Friezland) who narrowly lost out to Garry Coverdale in the 2010 final.

Hodson is another ex-Royton member who knows plenty about the green, so Schofield will have to be on his mettle if he wants to reach a second final in three years.

That said, the Friezland player was in sparkling form in qualification and will not lack confidence.

The quarter-finals start at 6.30pm and will be followed by the semi-finals and final.

Spectators are asked to pay a donation of £1 which will go towards the competition’s charity fund, along with the proceeds from a raffle.

There will be refreshments available in the bowling pavilion.