CASTLE D dashed Gladstone C’s hopes of celebrating a second successive double after prevailing in their Team Knockout semi-final encounter.

The holders never looked likely to recover after wins for Rhys Jones and Martin Whitehead established an early lead for their Northwich and District League top-flight rivals.

Steve Moores clinched the sixth frame for his side in a 4-2 win.

They will face Barn Owl A in the final after the Division Three underdogs won a close encounter with Green Dragon A in dramatic fashion.

With the sides tied at 3-3, Lee Brady thought he had clinched victory at the end of a 90-minute tactical battle with Paul Fletcher.

However he sank both the black and the cue ball with his last shot to gift the Barnton outfit safe passage.

Castle A remain on course to claim the Supplementary Shield for a second successive season after brushing aside clubmates Castle C in their semi-final clash.

Jack Carroll’s second maximum break of the campaign was a highlight as his side took three frames in a row to seal a 4-1 win.

Barn Owl E made their experience count while beating lower-ranked Blue Barrel B by the same score in the other last-four tie the same evening.

In the league, Matthew Fallows held his nerve to win a deciding frame for Barn Owl H in a rearranged Division Three fixture at Greenbank B.

It keeps his side in contention to take the second promotion place on offer.

Results

Northwich and District League

Team Knockout

Semi finals: Castle D 4-2 Gladstone C (at Gladstone); Green Dragon A 3-4 Barn Owl A (at Castle)

Supplementary Shield

Semi finals: Blue Barrel B 1-4 Barn Owl E (at Iron Bridge); Castle A 4-1 Castle C (at Castle)

Division Three: Greenbank B 3-4 Barn Owl H