A BUSY couple of weeks at Castle Sports and Social Club culminates in a top-quality field descending on the David Street venue for an open competition on Sunday, writes David O’Brien.

Some of the best players in the game will take part in an innovative new format where the games will be played in sets rather than the traditional 21-up game.

There will be four Waterloo champions competing in the competition – Carl Armitage, Chris Mordue, Andy Cairns and Jon Palmer – alongside two of the best players in the game over the last 20 years in Graeme Wilson and Callum Wraight.

There is also lots of local interest with several players from the Mid Cheshire League on show.

The first-round draw has thrown up some interesting contests.

The game between Nicola Boulton (Frodsham Red Lion) and Wilson is a highlight of the draw.

Darren Plenderleith (Coventry) and Callum Mitchell (Birmingham) sees two West Midland bowlers battle it out.

Gary Spencer (Frodsham Red Lion) has the tough task of facing Mordue in his first game, while Wraight versus Tom Palmer looks like the plum tie in the bottom half of the draw.

Martin Gerrard (Owley Wood) comes up against a Cheshire exile in his first game when he faces Mark Ball (Llandudno) and Jack Bushell (Wharton Cons) faces a green specialist in his first round tie when he battles it out with Lee Johnstone (Warrington).

Play starts at 10am and there should be some excellent bowling on show. The event has attracted 64 entries and both greens will be utilised.

The open pairs competition at the venue on Saturday concluded with Andy Hamman and Danny Nixon losing to David McDermott and James Fitzpatrick in the final. The pair from Wirral took home the first prize of £220.

The Brunner Cup gets underway on Saturday.

The format has been changed this season to a six home/six away structure rather than the traditional neutral venue in rounds up until the final.

Local sides taking part in the preliminary round are Rudheath Sports v Poynton Sports, Mersey Valley v Winnington Park, Owley Wood v Shavington and Middlewich RBL v Wharton Rec.

Games will start at 2pm.