THE Brunner Cup resumes at the semi final stage on Saturday with the much-anticipated clash between holders Wharton Cons and their Mid Cheshire rivals Castle Sports, writes David O'Brien.

In a repeat of the 2019 final, the game will take place at the Linden Club, Linden Avenue, Sale.

The Mid Cheshire League's other representatives in the semi finals are Frodsham Red Lion who face a tough assignment against an all-star Houldsworth team, with their game taking place at Goostrey BC.

Both games will start at 2pm.

Wharton Cons and Castle suffered surprise results in the Mid Cheshire League on Friday night.

Castle Sports lost their first game of the season on their trip to Alsager and only recorded 199 shots.

This loss could have been the decisive game of the season, but Wharton were unable to take advantage of this low score in a narrow 201-196 win at Helsby.

Wharton head the table but their lead over Castle is a slender nine shots.

Frodsham Red Lion took advantage of the poor scores recorded by the top two teams in the league with a 247-155 win over Middlewich.

It remains to be seen if the Frodsham team cake make up the points deficit in the table to stage a late charge for the title.

The Norley League Merit Final takes place at Winsford Cons Club tonight, Thursday, at 6.45pm.

This year’s competition, sponsored by Cliff Dickenson & Sons, carries a prize pool of £550 with the winner to receiv £175.

The last eight has four previous winners of the competition bidding to take this year’s title – Tom Vickers the three-time winner and the current holder; Mark Winnington two-time winner in 1996 and 2014, Lester Bebbington and David O’Brien.

Two of the former winners clash in the first round when Winnington takes on O’Brien.

The full draw for the final’s night is Robert Wilton, Owley Wood v Dave Orr, Overton; Mark Winnington, Owley Wood v David O’Brien, Castle Sports; Tom Vickers, Wharton Cons v Phil Wainwright, Overton and Nick Hamman, Castle Sports v Lester Bebbington, Castle Sports.

The Pogson Pairs qualifiers took place on Monday, with the final to be staged on Sunday at 2pm with the venue not decided at the time of writing.

Jon Palmer and former winner Mike Tunstall were the latest qualifiers at Wharton Cons on Sunday.

This Sunday sees the penultimate qualifying night take place with Steve Morrey of Castle Sports looking to advance to the final sixteen.