WHARTON Cons protected a lead they had established during the early stages of a meeting with Metro Sports to reach the Brunner Cup last four.

The Winsford outfit, seeking a fourth victory in the Cheshire County Bowling Association’s premier team knockout, were ahead by 25 chalks following wins for Pete Illidge, Tom Vickers and Danny Nixon in the first four blocks – the first two of those to single figures.

Metro won two of the next three head-to-heads to threaten a comeback, but captain Dave Hamlett senior banished any creeping doubts among his players with an emphatic 21-9 success over Tony Doran.

It meant a defeat for Shaun Yearsley by the same score, and Ashley Blackburn squandering a 12-1 lead before losing to John Heywood, did not damage Wharton’s chances.

Mark Winnington battled back impressively to score 16 against Craig McGuigan before Simon Cookson finished the job.

They prevailed by 18 chalks on aggregate, and will take on Crosstown – a rival in the Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association’s top-flight – at the semi-finals stage later this month.

Tixall, conquerors of last year’s runners-up Lloyd Hotel, and West Kirby Victoria complete a line-up for the last four.

Result

Cheshire County Bowling Association

Brunner Cup

Quarter-final

Saturday, July 7

Metro Sports 199-217 Wharton Cons

Ray Tully 7-21 Pete Illidge

Jack Gallagher 5-21 Tom Vickers

Jack Kelly 21-11 Graham Donnelly

John Drury 16-21 Daniel Nixon

Chris Coombs 21-13 Jimmy Harrop

John Haigh 8-21 Daven Hamlett junior

Ged Parkes 21-9 Shaun Yearsley

Craig Drury 21-19 Glynn Cookson

Tony Doran 9-21 Dave Hamlett senior

Craig McGuigan 21-16 Mark Winnington

John Heywood 21-13 Ashley Blackburn

Mark Kelly 18-21 Simon Cookson