CASTLE A continued a march towards the Premier Division title on Friday, but they were made to work for a victory by Wharton Cons B.

Both teams returned six winning cards at the Tin Mission, where successes in the final four blocks for Ian Howell, Rob Winnington and Steve Curbishley made the difference for the visitors as they prevailed by a single chalk on aggregate.

Their lead over Wharton Cons A is 49 chalks with three matches left after the champions triumphed at Comberbach A.

Meadowbank A and Castle B still lead the way in a race to be promoted to the top-flight after they both recorded comfortable home victories.

The table-toppers from Winsford were too strong for Rudheath B and three bowlers – Gill Tench, David Dickenson and Andy Houghton – recorded wins to single-figures.

Castle B enjoyed an easy ride when Frodsham Red Lion C visited, and Alan Baskerville was the pick of their 10 winners.

A distance to first place in Section One is 58 chalks, but Meadowbank face a tricky trip to Helsby tonight, Friday.

In a battle between rivals hoping to avoid relegation, Sandbach Park closed a gap to Kelsall A following a 216-201 success.

Wharton Cons C dropped eight chalks as they racked up another win in Section Two, while second-placed Crosstown B were pushed by Tarporley A.

However those two will swap places if the latter prevail in a game in hand.

Barnton Cricket Club A’s hopes of taking the second promotion place were hit when they lost heavily at Hartford A, who scored 249 at Chester Road.

Owley Wood C remain favourites to be promoted as champions from Section Three, but a fight to follow them is a fierce one.

Comberbach C boosted their hopes after winning at Owley Wood B, while Norley brushed aside Meadowbank B and are only 22 chalks further back.

Lostock Graylams, in fourth position, cannot be counted out despite losing at Limes.

Helsby B were the most impressive winners in Section Four when they dropped a single chalk in a thrashing of Rudheath D.

Castle C had only posted 209 while beating Hartford B the previous evening, but they have a game in hand on their rivals.

Wins on their home green for Crowton and Winnington B kept alive their hopes of sneaking into a promotion position.

Results

Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association

Week 19

Premier Division: Comberbach A 190-224 Wharton Cons A; Crewe PO 235-205 Middlewich CC; Wharton Cons B 208-209 Castle A

Section One: Castle B 236-164 Frodsham RL C; Davenham A 213-219 Comberbach B; Meadowbank A 230-192 Rudheath B; Moulton RBL A 200-232 Helsby; Sandbach Park 216-201 Kelsall A; Winsford Cons A 223-202 Owley Wood A

Section Two: Coppenhall WMC 192-189 Wharton Rec; Crosstown B 204-191 Tarporley A; Hartford A 249-175 Barnton CC A; Wharton Cons C 244-139 Winnington A

Section Three: Delamere 195-221 Davenham B; Limes 227-174 Lostock Graylams; Norley 211-147 Meadowbank; Owley Wood B 199-233 Comberbach C; Owley Wood C 243-138 Winsford Cons B

Section Four: Castle C 209-148 Hartford B; Crowton 241-142 Moulton RBL; Davenham C 228-153 Tarporley B; Helsby B 251-114 Rudheath D; Winnington B 236-174 Davenham D