MARK Winnington emerged as victor at the end of Thursday’s Norley Merit final at Beech Tree, defeating Rudheath’s John Lightfoot.

The Castle Private bowler had ended the challenge of another Rudheath representative, Peter Illidge, in the last eight before squeezing past Comberbach’s Paul Mackie in the semi finals.

Lightfoot saw off clubmate Mark Cookson and Jamie Hulse, of Hop Pole, before playing Winnington, who won 21-8.