ANDY Hamman beat Neil Snodgrass in the Guardian Cup final on Friday to lift the trophy for the first time.

The Castle Private member secured a maiden singles title in style at Owley Wood following a 21-9 victory against the man from Frodsham Red Lion.

He had come from behind to beat clubmate Jason Cornes, a five-time former champion, in the last four following a 21-19 success against Jon Gurney (Comberbach) in the quarter finals.

Hamman rarely looked likely to lose after racing into an early 8-0 lead against Snodgrass.

His opponent rallied to 9-3, and thought he’d cut the gap further at the next end only for the Cheshire regular to pinch back the block following a fortunate deflection.

“You need a bit of luck,” a smiling Hamman told the Guardian afterwards.

“When I got in front, I felt like I wasn’t going to lose an end.

“It went my way in the corner; he had two on, but I flicked off a bowl and nicked it.

“He was up against it after that.”

Hamman is the 41st different winner – and only the fourth Castle Private bowler after Cornes, Dave O’Brien and John Gurney – in the competition’s 70-year history.

Snodgrass brushed aside Wharton Cons’ Steve Briscoe (21-11) in the semi finals after squeezing past Mike Yearsley (21-20) in his opening contest.

The Frodsham Red Lion ace had trailed 20-17.

Holder Thomas Vickers fell at the first hurdle, losing a close encounter with Cornes (21-17) that he had led 10-3.

However his rival put together a decisive break of seven, which started when he trailed 15-12, to take control.

Briscoe won 21-11 against Steve Baskerville in the other last-eight tie.

Results

Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association

Guardian Cup

Friday, July 15

At Owley Wood Club

Quarter finals

Mike Yearsley (Castle Private) 20-21 Neil Snodgrass (Frodsham Red Lion)

Steve Baskerville (Castle Private) 11-21 Steve Briscoe (Wharton Cons)

Andy Hamman (Castle Private) 21-19 Jon Gurney (Comberbach)

Jason Cornes (Castle Private) 21-17 Thomas Vickers (Wharton Cons)

Semi finals

Neil Snodgrass (Frodsham Red Lion) 21-11 Steve Briscoe (Wharton Cons)

Andy Hamman (Castle Private) 21-12 Jason Cornes (Castle Private)

Final

Neil Snodgrass (Frodsham Red Lion) 9-21 Andy Hamman (Castle Private)