GLADSTONE C eliminated holders Castle D from the Northwich and District League’s Team Knockout at the last-four stage on Wednesday.

After losing a top-flight meeting between the rivals in November, they were set on a course for victory when brothers Lewis and Eric Webber won the first two frames.

Leigh Cobley pulled one back before Nick Hubert’s second maximum break of the campaign edged the 2016 winners closer to the final.

Martin Whitehead kept alive Castle’s hopes, only for Darryl Fallows to secure a 4-2 success by beating Fred Backhouse.

They will meet Witton Chimes A in next month’s showpiece after they defied expectation to see off Owley Wood B.

Richard Glaze and Stuart Porter established a 2-0 lead for the underdogs before Paul Fletcher reduced the deficit.

Darren Porter made it 3-1 before Alan Brace took a tense fifth frame for the Weaverham outfit.

However Wayne Porter held his nerve to settle the outcome.

Castle A, runners-up last season, remain in the running to go one better after a 4-2 win against Slow & Easy secured a spot in the Supplementary Shield final.

Will Barlow put the lower-ranked Lostock Gralam side in front before Chris Cain, Jack Carroll and Andy Hamman replied.

Nick Hamman sent his side through after Robert Lang had sent the contest to a sixth frame.

Rudheath await them in the final after a 4-0 win against Lion A from Division Two.

Chris Southerton took the opening frame before Carl Day and Liam Jones claimed the next two, both of them close encounters.

Stewart Leese cleared the table to secure victory.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Alan Backhouse Memorial Team Knockout

Semi-finals

Gladstone C 4-2 Castle D (at Castle)

Witton Chimes A 4-2 Owley Wood B (at Gladstone)

Final follows on Wednesday, March 21

Supplementary Shield

Semi-finals

Castle A 4-2 Slow & Easy (at Rudheath)

Rudheath 4-0 Lion A (at Gladstone)

Final is scheduled for Wednesday, March 14

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington