WHARTON Cons A edged closer to recapturing the Premier Division title following a comfortable home success against Castle Private B on Friday.

The visitors to the Tin Mission were restricted to 29 chalks from the first four blocks, which included a winner.

A total of 82 marks separated the teams on aggregate by the finish, leaving the Winsford outfit 47 better off than defending champions Castle Private A with one match left.

Last year’s prize-winners had a single-figure loser in the opening exchanges with guets Comberbach A, but only one other home team bowler failed to make it to 21.

In Section One, leaders Crewe PO scored 240 at home to Beech Tree A.

Crosstown A, despite losing at heavily away to Frodsham Red Lion B, remain as favourites to be promoted along with them.

Newcomers Alsager Institute dropped only three chalks at home to Hazel Pear A in Section Two, securing first place as a result.

Rudheath B, narrow victors at Moulton RBL A, and Spinner & Bergamot A are in a race for the runners-up position.

Cuddington A and Hartford A are likely to drop down a level.

Coppenhall WMC, another to score 249 this week, will return to Section Two next season.

The two teams behind them, Frodsham Red Lion D and Rudheath C, are separate by only seven chalks ahead of the final round of matches.

Davenham B lost at Meadowbank B in Section Four, but continue to occupy top spot.

Comberbach C, conquerors of Owley Wood C, are set to take the second promotion position.

Elsewher, Hartford B won at Winnington B, while Winsford Cons C ceded only five chalks to guests Moulton RBL B.

Village rivals Beech Tree B and Barnton CC C will both be promoted from Section Five, the former easing to victory at home to Cuddington B this week.

They have lost only once this season.