COMBERBACH won three of the first four blocks in a semi final encounter with Hop Pole in the Norman Cup on Saturday, but still lost.

Wins for Matt Thurlwell, Colin Peters and Stuart Kellett established a slender advantage at Parkside Bowling Club, only for their Crewe-based opponents to recover as they eased through on aggregate by 42 chalks.

Owley Wood meet Winsford Cons in the remaining tie at Kelsall, postponed until tomorrow night, Thursday.