Coupe books his place in finals day at Waterloo

SIMON Coupe was quoted as a short-priced favourite to win the Co-operative Funeralcare Waterloo Handicap for a third time, despite a lethargic display on his way to finals day.

The 47-year-old from Walton-le-Dale, near Preston, did not have to be anywhere near his best to see off Andy Hughes (Wrexham) and reach the last eight of the most famous tournament in crown green bowls.

That gave him a last eight encounter with Ritchie Goddard (Shrewsbury), who ended the fine run of Poynton veteran Malcolm Sims 21-11.

Another experienced campaigner, Ray Goodhand, from Warrington, also saw his dream run to the last 16 ended 21-14 by Stafford raider Chris Ward. And Altrincham’s Steve Baskerville, reaching the same stage as his brother Dave achieved 12 months earlier, also fell one step short of finals day when he was a 21-9 victim of Phil Lee, of Liverpool.

Second in the betting was Wayne Ditchfield, of Eccleston, near Chorley, quoted at 5-2 after pipping another Shrewsbury player Mike Beer 21-20 in a thriller described by many in the big crowd as one of the best games seen on the Blackpool green.

Ditchfield trailed 12-6 before pulling out a series of spectacular reaching bowls to lead 19-16. But the tenacious Beer kept up his high standard to hit back and lead 20-19 - only to then produce his only loose end of the game and allow Ditchfield the successful chance of a winning double.