Houghton springs Waterloo surprise

IT’S been a massive week of bowling in Blackpool with the Waterloo Championships coming to a dramatic conclusion.

The last sixteen featured two Stockport bowlers representing the town across the nation on ITV4.

Steve Ellis from Reddish looked to be heading out against Dave Baskerville.

But in a dramatic last end Ellis produced a real show stopper to progress 21-19.

Jamie Bramley made it to the TV stages for the second year running after a good week’s play.

This time, however, James Grimston from Blackpool got off to a good start and was able to see off Bramley 21-16.

The final eight had Graeme Wilson and Callum Wraight as likely favourites to take the crown with both bang in form.

Wilson had a shock though as Liverpool’s Terry Glover dumped him out for a 21-20 victory.

In the best game of the finals day Wraight also fell by the wayside against the ever capable Glynn Cookson. Stockport’s hopes also ended in the quarter finals with Steve Ellis finding his run stopped by Wales number 1 bowler John Bailey.

In a story similar to that of Leicester City winning the Premier League, a total underdog was about to write his own story. Tim Houghton form Garstang had gone about his business almost un-noticed and joined Bailey in the final.

Houghton, to the shock of everyone, kept his nerve despite the odds to land a huge surprise and beat Bailey 21-19. The action continued thick and fast in Blackpool with Simon Coupe picking up the Charlie Tattersall event on Friday.

The champion of champions ended the men’s interest at Blackpool for the season in front of a packed gallery.

Gary Ellis turned in a workmanlike afternoon’s play and saw off Cookson to take the title 21-18.

The women’s version on Sunday ended their campaign with Cheshire’s Nicola Boulton defeating Tracey Ryan in the final 21-7.

This Sunday (2nd Oct) amazingly the winter season starts down at Love Lane the middle green on Heaton Norris Park.