THOMAS Vickers lifted the Guardian Cup for a second time after adapting best to wet conditions at Comberbach on Friday.

The Wharton Cons star, who defeated dad Alan en route to the final, proved too good for Delamere veteran Gerald Merry to claim the title of mid Cheshire’s best bowler.

“It was tricky out there but I kept going,” he said afterwards.

“The rain made everybody think a little bit, but I felt good and was able to get on top in each of my matches.”

The 22-year-old, winner for the first time in 2008, ran out a 21-10 victor against Merry who struggled to recover from a slow start as he fell 6-0 and 12-3 adrift.

He rallied to win six of the next eight ends, closing to 14-10, before Vickers found a length again on which he was able to dominate the remainder.

Pick up Wednesday’s Guardian for a full report and pictures, plus reaction from the protagonists in the competition’s 65th edition.