AFTER successfully staging the British Crown Bowls Association's marquee Champion of Champions Tournament last year, Monk Sports in Woolston has been chosen again to host the event this weekend.

And hopes will be high of some Warrington success.

Taking place over two days, the men’s competition gets the weekend underway on Saturday followed by the women's event on Sunday, with both competitions starting at 10am.

Hot favourite for the men’s event will be Greg Smith, whose impressive form this year has seen him win six qualifying events.

In his opening game he faces Paul Dudley, the Spring Waterloo winner.

There is the prospect of Smith coming up against another of the favourites for the competition, 2015 winner Callum Wraight, in the second round.

Smith and Wraight's rivalry is well known on the crown green competition circuit but to set up the mouth-watering second-round clash Wraight first must overcome the youngest competitor in the event in Louie Furness, the Junior All England winner.

Louie’s father, Ed, is also in the competition and takes on Martin Simcock in his first game.

Simon Coupe, the 2014 winner, will be another competitor short priced with the bookmakers and as also displayed fine form the season in winning four qualifying events.

The draw for the first round has thrown up several top-class encounters, with the first game on the green at 10am pitching Darren Plenderleith, who is currently playing with the aid of a crutch, against the recent Isle of Man September Festival winner Gareth Coates.

Another eye-catching match-up sees two Merseyside players clash when Phil Lee takes on two-time All England winner Matt Gilmore.

There are still two further chances to secure qualification via the Waterloo and Talbot competitions this week.

On Sunday, attention turns to the women's event and topping the bill is last year’s winner Shannon Kernick, who will be out to defend her title won at the Hillock Lane venue last season and starts her defence against Sarah Hey.

Shannon comes into the competition in fine form having won the women's Waterloo last weekend. Her sister Emily is also in the line-up and will be out to match her sister's achievements from last year.

Warrington favourite and three-time winner Karen Galvin will line up in the field as one of the favourites.

Another multiple winner of the event, Nicola Boulton, will also be a low price to add to her four previous wins.

Nicola has also hit form at the right time, having won the women's Talbot Trophy last weekend.

Jenny Moore, who collected both Isle of Man Festival titles this year, will travel across the Irish Sea hoping to take the trophy back to the island.

Linda Williams, the two-time champion, faces Jess Lacey the Junior Individual Merit winner in round one.

Entry to the event is £10 on each day, or a weekend ticket can be bought for £15.