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)
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