WINSFORD club Wharton Cons have ended a two-decades wait to be crowned best in Cheshire.

The men from the Tin Mission, last victors in the Cheshire County Bowling Association’s Brunner Cup in 1993, proved too strong for King & Queen in Saturday’s final at Budenberg.

They were winners by 14 chalks, taking to three their tally of successes in the county’s premier team knockout competition.

“It’s a proud day for this club,” said captain Glynn Cookson afterwards.

“We’ve been bridesmaids too many times before, so we’ll savour what is a sweet moment.”

Cookson, who was on the green when Wharton got their hands on the silver trophy for the first time in 1985, got the favourites off to a winning start at the Altrincham venue.

However it was James Harrop, who ceded just seven points to Billy Stewart, that struck a first blow for the reigning Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association champions.

It earned him the man of the match award too.

Both teams had six winning cards in a close encounter although another big win to single figures, this time for Cons’ Mark Burdon, added to Wharton’s advantage in what proved to be a pivotal middle four blocks.

They had long since won when Mark Vernon was left on the green in the final head-to-head with Larry Wells, which he lost to 15.

Cookson received the trophy from Edward Brunner, a descendant of Sir John Brunner who presented the first prize to inaugural winners Wharton Rec more than a century ago.

For a full report, plus pictures and further reaction, pick up Wednesday's Winsford Guardian.

Cheshire County Bowling Association
Brunner Cup final
Saturday, August 11
Wharton Cons 212 King & Queen 196
Glynn Cookson 21 John Brown 17
Graham Donnelly 18 Damian Morrison 21
James Harrop 21 Billy Stewart 07
Danny Nixon 13 Ray Goodhand 21
Thomas Vickers 21 Stephen Lea 12
Martin Kettle 20 Brendan Brady 21
Mark Burdon 21 Steve Jackson 05
Shaun Yearsley 15 Danny Watson 21
Simon Cookson 21 Andrew Wightman 17
Alan Vickers 05 Steve Brown 21
Steve Curbishley 21 John Taylor 12