CASTLE, the holders, progressed safely to the last 16 of the Cheshire County Bowling Association’s Brunner Cup with a comfortable win against Heswall RBL A.

Northwich club meet Tixall, a familiar foe, at the next stage.

They eliminated the Birkenhead-based outfit, who won the competition in successive years in 2014 and again 12 months later, at the semi-finals stage last season.

Castle did the same in 2013 too before finishing as runners-up in the final.

Tixall proved too strong for Comberbach when they began their latest bid to take the county’s premier team knockout prize last weekend.

Meanwhile Wharton Rec, another team from the Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association in action, bowed out following a 235-180 defeat against Oxton Cons.

Davenham and Wharton Cons both have a bye to the second round.

Results

Cheshire County Bowling Association

Brunner Cup

First Round

Saturday, May 12

Heswall RBL A 159-233 Castle (at Alpraham)

Lloyd 215-162 Manor Road (at Kingsley)

Poynton Sports 232-192 Hoylake Central & Melrose (at Davenham Rec)

Tixall 228-157 Comberbach (at Runcorn War Memorial)

Victoria 231-157 Plough TRC (at Comberbach)

Wharton Rec 180-235 Oxton Cons (at Waverton Institute)