Heartbreak hotel for Gary

Gary Ellis: double disappointment

BOWLS: 

GARY Ellis suffered final heartbreak on successive days at the Waterloo Hotel in Blackpool.

The Nimble Nook and Tonge star lost 31-23 to Derbyshire’s Dan Petcher in the final of the Charlie Tattersall Memorial Tournament.

And it was the same painful story the following day in an even bigger competition, the prestigious end-of-season Champion of Champions’ event.

After coming back from 19-10 down in his semi-final to pip Isle Of Man’s John Kennish 21-20, Ellis took on Shrewsbury showman Callum Wraight. Running up his bowls and getting a large crowd involved, Wraight dominated the final to register a 21-10 verdict and carry off the £1,000 top prize.



THE finals of the Greater Manchester Bowling Association’s Blesma Trophy will be held at Tonge BC on Friday (6.30pm).

The draw is: Ryan Sandham v Wayne Usher; Ian Turrell v Ian Cranston; Alan Hodson v John Hignett; Stephen Leach v Lee Schofield; Michael McDonnell v Dave Wright; Andrew Murray v Craig Gant; Steve Cook v Phil Bennett; Charlie Roberts v Clive Chapman.