All hail new king Coppinger

Martin Coppinger is the new Hurley’s of Midleton King of the Roads after a battle of passion, drama and exceptional bowling with David Murphy at Ballincurrig yesterday.

It was a score that had everything. Even so it was matched by an equally great Mallow Contracts Queen of the Roads in which Dutch champion Silke Tulk produced an amazing last bowl to dethrone Kelly Mallon.

It was clear from the first shot that Coppinger was primed for the score of his life with a brilliant bowl to the point of the bend. But if he was ready so was Murphy, determined to complete a unique four-in-a-row of titles. He delivered an exceptional second bowl past Moore’s gate followed by a close-to-record third shot to the green to put him in a big lead, but Coppinger was not in the mood for wilting.