A MEETING between Wharton Cons A, the holders, and Castle A is a highlight when the Littler Cup resumes at the quarter-finals stage on Sunday.
And the Northwich outfit landed a first blow of the campaign when they won a Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association Premier Division encounter between the rivals last Friday.
They occupy top spot in the table following a 241-182 victory, and have established a 64-chalks lead over the champions after five matches.
Their next clash is at Coppenhall Working Men’s Club, in Crewe.
Middlewich Community Church are the only other top-flight side still standing after they eliminated Norley by a narrow two-point margin in the last 16.
Their opponents, from the fourth tier, had a 95-chalks head-start.
Castle C, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, have an even bigger advantage when they meet at Lostock Graylams.
It proved too much of a deficit for Rudheath A to overturn in the previous round, who fell short by 25.
Owley Wood C, leading the way in Section Three with four wins from five matches to date, have been paired with Hartford A.
The Weaverham outfit will be buoyed by eliminating Alsager, from the Premier Division, last time out and have already won three matches to reach the last eight.
Meanwhile Lostock Graylams take on Tarporley A at Wharton Cons in the other quarter-finals tie this weekend.
They begin that contest with a slight advantage, worth 10 chalks, over their opponents.
Play starts in all four games at 2pm.
Fixtures
Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association
Littler Cup
Quarter-finals
Sunday, May 27 (team handicap in brackets)
Castle C (145) v Middlewich Community Church (20) (at Lostock Graylams)
Owley Wood C (95) v Hartford A (105) (at Winnington Rec No.1)
Tarporley A (100) v Lostock Graylams (110) (at Wharton Cons)
Wharton Cons A (scr) v Castle A (scr) (at Coppenhall WMC)
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