LOSTOCK Graylams were able to enjoy a less stressful passage to the next stage when they returned to action in the Norman Cup on Saturday.

After holding their nerve to squeeze past Poynton Sport following a redraw earlier this month, they did not even need the benefit of a handicap head-start to see off Nursery.

They started 35 chalks better off, but won by 57.

Mark Woodyatt was the pick of seven winners at Mere Parish, where the Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association side prevailed in four of the first five blocks.

A strong finish, which saw Andy Woodyatt and Daniel Malisch also reach 21, secured for their side a quarter-finals berth.

They are joined in the last eight by Rudheath, who were too strong for Wharton Rec at Coppenhall.

A defeat for Dave Buckley in the first game left them 54 chalks adrift on aggregate, a deficit they overturned in style by winning the remaining nine head-to-heads.

Two of those, for Jimmy Taylor and captain Gary Brady, were to single figures.

A curious defence of a title they claimed last season for Hazel Pear continued when another opponent, this time Comberbach A, conceded their scheduled encounter.

Castle C had done the same in the first round.

Winnington Park bowed out at the hands of Metro Sports, who started 35 chalks behind, while Frodsham Red Lion won a close encounter with Hop Pole by a 17-point margin.

Results

Cheshire County Bowling Association

Norman Cup

Saturday, June 29

Second Round (team handicap in brackets)

Crosstown (30) 197-197 West Kirby Victoria (30) (at Kingsley)

Hazel Pear (30) w/o Comberbach A (25)

Hop Pole (35) 207-225 Frodsham RL (25) (at Moulton RBL)

Meadowbank (35) 183-195 Lloyd Hotel (scr) (at Wilmslow Cons)

Mobberley Victory Hall (30) 211-238 LMRCA (50) (at Lostock Graylams)

Nursery (35) 207-264 Lostock Graylams (70) (at Mere)

Wharton Rec (70) 193-226 Rudheath (30) (at Coppenhall WMC)

Winnington (65) 174-239 Metro Sports (30) (at Swettenham)