ROYSTON bowls champion Matt Coppen looks is ­transferring his outdoor success to the indoor arena, by qualifying for the National Indoor Under-25 finals. After dominating the outdoor circuit, the talented 17-year-old has been busy impressing in the indoo

ROYSTON bowls champion Matt Coppen looks is ­transferring his outdoor success to the indoor arena, by qualifying for the National Indoor Under-25 finals.

After dominating the outdoor circuit, the talented 17-year-old has been busy impressing in the indoor game ­- seeing off Watford's Michael Cole in two straight sets (17-5 and 14-1) to qualify for his first indoor final.

Coppen told The Crow: "This is the first indoor competition that I have entered and it's been going really well so far - I'm quite surprised.

"I won the final of the Hertfordshire area fairly comfortably and as a result I've qualified for the national under-25 final at the beginning of March."

Coppen is well known for his trophy laden exploits for Royston Bowls Club - however he will be ­representing Hitchin-based Riverain Bowls Club at the final.

Taking on the cream of England's under-25 bowlers, if successful, Coppen will claim his second national title after being crowned British Junior Singles Bowls Under-25 Champion in July last year.

In what was a triumphant outdoor season, Coppen also won the county under-25 singles crown and the under-30 title.

He said: "Indoor bowls is a lot ­different from playing outdoors. For a start it's a lot faster.

"But I'm enjoying it and I'm really looking forward to the final - it should be a good competition.

"It's going to be tough, but I'm ­confident I can do well. And it would be great to win another national title!"

# The National Indoor Under-25 finals take place on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, in ­Basingstoke.