David O’Brien brings us the latest bowls news from around the region…

MIDDLEWICH CC claimed the first silverware of the Mid Cheshire League season on Sunday when they defeated Wharton Cons by a slender margin of three shots at Kingswood to take home the Littler Cup. 

The Winsford team looked on course to take the spoils after the first four games as they recorded four winners to overcome the handicap deficit of 16 shots and lead by 14.

Game Five turned the tie on its head when Paul Charlesworth won 21-3 for the Middlewich team and despite Wharton recording 8 winners out of the 10 games, a 21-10 win for Anthony Lloyd at game 9 saw the Middlewich team to victory.

Wharton Cons now turn their attention to the top-of-the-table clash in the Premier Division with Castle Sports at their Winsford green on Friday evening.

The final day of the Cheshire Merit takes place on Sunday at Packhorse BC in Macclesfield. 

Defending champion Andy Hamman will be looking to retain his title where he could face his brother Nick in the third round.

The winner will secure a place in both the All England and Champions of Champions for 2022 and there are three previous winners of the All England in the field, with Tom Vickers and Glynn Cookson of Wharton Cons joining Noel Burrows in an attempt to take the title and qualify this season.

Other Mid Cheshire players in the field are Kevin Duncalf and Ian Howell of Castle Sports and David Orr and Neal Ocego of Frodsham Red Lion along with Simon Cookson of Wharton Cons.

The Mid Cheshire Ladies County team have their second game of the County Championship season on Sunday when they take on North Warwickshire at the Red Lion in Frodsham.