Simon Coupe from Preston won his first St Andrews Classic in a final that turned out to be a classic!

In an all-Preston final, Coupe held off a storming comeback from Wayne Ditchfield to win 21-20 at the Burnley club.

Ditchfield had trailed 13-7 at one stage but pulled back to level at 18 each. Coupe took a single on the next end to lead 19-18 only for Ditchfield to play two brilliant bowls in the corner to go 20-19 in front.

And it looked like he might secure the match but Coupe changed his peg and played two bowls inside it to secure the match and the title.

In the semi final Coupe was always in front against T Johnstone leading at one stage 15-8 only for Johnstone to pull back to 18-15 before Coupe secured the game.

The other semi final saw an excellent game with the lead changing hands several times before G Ellis (Manchester) established a slender lead at 17-15 only for Ditchfield to make a six break and take the match 21-17.

The competition attracted bowlers from across the North of England.

St Andrew’s thanked sponsors McParland & Partner Financial Management, Burnley Insurance Bureau and Althams Travel Services for their continued support.

Results 
Last 16: M Leach 9-21 W Ditchfield, C Wraight 21-14S Clamp,C Armitage 21-15 C Ashton, G Ellis 21-17 L JohnstoneG Gwillam, 21-12 D Watters, D Wright 14-21 S Coupe, J Hargreaves 21-11 C Cooke, C Ramell 14-21 T Johnstone.

Quarter Finals: W Ditchfield 21-19 C Wraight, C Armitage 12-21 G Ellis, G Gwillam 16-21 S Coupe, J Hargreaves 9-21 T Johnstone.

Semi Finals: W Ditchfield 21-17 G Ellis, S Coupe 21-15 T Johnstone.

Final W Ditchfield 20-21 S Coupe.