A DERBY between Winsford rivals produced the closest encounter when the Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association’s Whitby Cup campaign started last week.

Meadowbank A squeezed out Premier Division foes Wharton Cons B by a slender two-chalks margin after starting with a handicap deficit of three.

Both teams returned five winning cards at Winsford Cons, including single-figure triumphs by Colin Rigden (21-8) and crucially James Gurney (21-3) – last man on the green against Nigel Cwiklinksi – for the victors.

Castle A were the only side to lose in the preliminary round to lower-ranked opposition when they succumbed to Section Two leaders Owley Wood B at Winnington Park Recreation Club.

After starting 77 chalks adrift, they closed a gap to five in the final reckoning.

Wins for Karl Rodgers and Jason Taylor, against Paul Mackie and Rob Winnington respectively, for the Weaverham outfit proved decisive.

Middlewich avoided an upset when they saw off Section Five underdogs Davenham D who had an 86-chalk head start.

Meanwhile there was a closer margin, just 11, between Moulton RBL A and another side from the lowest division in the form of Owley Wood D.

Barnton Cricket Club A, Norley A and Wharton Rec A were the other teams to progress.

Four more, Castle C, Meadowbank B, Rudheath B and Winsford Cons B, were handed byes to the last 32 after their opponents withdrew.

The first round follows next Tuesday.

Results

Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association

Whitby Cup

Preliminary Round (team handicap in brackets)

Castle A (16) 217-222 Owley Wood B (93) (at Winnington No.1)

Comberbach B (98) 299-257 Rudheath D (129) (at Winnington No.2)

Davenham C (109) 254-294 Barnton CC A (105) (at Castle No.2)

Delamere conceded to Winsford Cons B

Frodsham RL A conceded to Rudheath B

Meadowbank B w/o Coppenhall WMC

Middlewich CC (54) 264-222 Davenham D (140) (at Hartford)

Norley A (113) 319-244 Hazel Pear A (115) (at Frodsham RL)

Owley Wood D (131) 282-293 Moulton RBL A (106) (at Wharton Cons)

Tarporley B (135) 260-321 Wharton Rec A (111) (at Owley Wood No.2)

Wharton Cons B (69) 238-240 Meadowbank A (66) (at Winsford Cons)

Wharton Cons C conceded to Castle C

Draw

First Round

Tuesday, August 13 (from 6.45pm)

Barnton CC A v Meadowbank A (at Owley Wood No.2)

Barnton CC B v Tarporley A (at Meadowbank)

Castle B v Winnington A (at Delamere)

Castle C v Wharton Rec A (at Lostock Graylams)

Davenham A v Wharton Cons A (at Owley Wood No.1)

Davenham B v Alsager (at venue tbc)

Hartford B v Comberbach A (at Winnington No.1)

Lostock Graylams v Owley Wood A (at Wharton Cons)

Meadowbank B v Comberbach B (at Hartford)

Moulton RBL A v Norley A (at Winnington No.2)

Owley Wood C v Crosstown A (at Winsford Cons)

Rudheath A v Frodsham RL B (at Crowton)

Rudheath B v Middlewich CC (at Coppenhall WMC)

Rudheath C v Hartford A (at Castle No.2)

Winsford Cons A v Castle D (at Moulton RBL)

Winsford Cons B v Owley Wood B (at Barnton CC)