Nina and Gary carry local hopes in the Champion of Champions

Nina Riches and Gary Smith carry the region’s hopes in the final stages of the Champion of Champions at Warner’s Hayling Island complex this weekend.

Durham’s Smith faces a tough opener against Kingsthorpe’s Jamie Walker in the men’s event, which features seven former and current England internationalists in a strong last 16. In the last 16 of the women’s draw, South Shields’ Riches faces either the World Singles runner-up, Blackpool Newton Hall’s Janice Gower, or Acle’s Melanie Haylett.

The next round of the Top Ten takes place today, Shields Vipers heading to Stanley looking to get a win to keep on the tail of leaders Durham, while Houghton will be looking to avoid defeat at bottomof-the-table Ferryhill.

In tomorrow’s inter-club action, Houghton face Division One leaders Hartlepool, who have only dropped three points out of 40 (12.15pm), while Shields Vipers bring their Division Two campaign to a close against Gateshead A.

Houghton: M.Wright, TW.Todd, L.Taylor, R.Mckie, J.Sutherland, D.Armstrong, F.Fletcher, AJ.Dunn, P.Thomson Snr, D.Wright, J.McAdoo, D.Oram, G.Brown,

S.Tindale, G.MacPheators, P.Thomson.

Shields Vipers: T.Young, T.Halcrow, M.Peach, D.Bolt, W.Gray, K.Gray, P.Dixon, C.Storf, R.Hunter, I.McDonald, K.Thompson, K.Taylor, S.Baker, P.Baker, P.Hart, M.Baker.

The county team for this month’s Liberty Trophy semi-final against Cambridgeshire at Erewash is unchanged, leaving South Shields’ Neal Ridley on the bench for a record eighth consecutive game.

A supporters’ bus will pick up at Durham Indoors (7.30am) and Darlington Indoors

(8am) - cost is £10 and a seat can be booked via Alan Cooper.

Stanley play hosts to the men’s Under-25 home international series on February 15-16, admission £3 on the door.

There was more sad news for the local bowls scene as long-standing South Hylton member Matty Leonard (94) passed away. The former Coles Crane member was a keen bowler and a good club member.

Bobby Borthwick’s funeral will take place at Sunderland Crematorium on Friday, Februay 14 at 1pm.