DEFENDING champions Cheshire, victors in each of the past seven years, have reached the quarter finals of the latest edition of the English Short Mat Bowling Association Inter County Championships.

Steve Proctor and Simon White, from Middlewich, plus Northwich duo Dennis Leather and Vernon Slater, were part of team that defeated West Midlands 28-12 in their final group stage qualifier.

They qualify for the last eight, scheduled to take place next month in Northampton, after winning five of six matches.