DANIEL Nixon is not daunted by the prospect of playing in a major final.

He’s done it regularly since picking up a wood for the first time as a boy, and has had his hands on each of the Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association’s singles trophies.

All of them, except for one.

“The Guardian Cup is missing from the list,” he said.

“I’ve won all the other big comps, so it’s a final I really want to win.

“I feel comfortable on these occasions, and that I have the experience to handle whatever they throw up.

“There are probably half-a-dozen or so bowlers who start as favourites to win each season, but I know I can give any of them a game.”

And a familiar foe, Castle Private’s Rob Winnington, will be his opponent in the last eight during finals night at Owley Wood this Friday.

Winnington halted Nixon’s run in the semi finals last year before finishing as runner-up to clubmate Jason Cornes.

He also ended early the Wharton Cons man’s defence of his Roberts Bakery Cup crown in the qualifying round earlier this season.

“I probably owe him one,” said Nixon.

“Rob’s a friend, somebody I get on well with on and off the green.

“We’ve probably played each other 20 or so times, but I think he’s one win ahead of me at the moment.

“I expect a really good game on a green I like.

“I’ll be trying to keep him out of the corners, while he’ll be doing his best to stop me finding a short mark.

“The first end could be the most important one. It’s amazing how often it is.”

Nixon is in form, winning 11 of his 13 Premier Division matches for Wharton Cons this term.

Like Winnington, he has helped Cheshire to reach the last four of the British County Championships.

He is on course to feature in another Brunner Cup final too.

“I’m playing well,” he added.

“I was disappointed to go out of the first round in the Roberts Bakery Cup, particularly after winning it for the first time last year, but things have been much better since.”

For more on Friday's Guardian Cup final, click here: http://bit.ly/1HyKUXH