CASTLE Sports progressed to the Brunner Cup Final on Saturday when then won a tense encounter with Wharton Cons at Linden Club, Sale, by three shots, writes David O’Brien.

Wharton, the competition’s holders, raced into an early lead, recording four winners in the first four games to establish a 29-shot advantage over their rivals.

Pete Illidge led the way for Cons with a 21-8 victory.

Castle Sports then stormed back with four winners in the middle games to go into the final encounters with a small advantage of five shots.

Wharton Cons won three of the last four games, but the narrow margin of these victories was not enough to peg back Castle who will go on to face Houldsworth WMC in the final on Saturday, September 11, after the team from Reddish won their semi final against Frodsham Red Lion by 37 shots.

Meanwhile, the Roberts Bakery Cup Final takes place tonight, Thursday, at Crosstown Bowls Club in Knutsford. Play is scheduled to start at 6.30pm.

This year marks the 46th year of the competition that is kindly sponsored by the Roberts family.

The first game of the last eight sees five-time former winner Tom Vickers face his teammate from Wharton Cons Danny Nixon, who won the competition in 2014.

Nick Hamman, Castle Sports, faces Joe Tomkinson of Owley Wood in the second quarter final.

The bottom half of the draw is Chris Price of Red Lion against Alan Dean from Rudheath Sports as well as John Gurney versus Steve Briscoe.

The winner of the event receives £350, and the runner up will get £250.

The Roberts family will be attending the event and will present the prizes at the completion of play.

Comberbach BC stage their centenary celebrations on Saturday at 2pm when a members’ team will face a Mid Cheshire select side. Play starts at 2pm and spectators are welcome to attend.

It was a successful few days for Tom Vickers last week.

First, on Thursday night, he retained the Norley Merit title defeating David O’Brien 21-17 in the final held at Winsford Cons.

Then on Sunday he teamed up with his father, Alan, to claim the Mid Cheshire League’s Pogson Pairs Trophy at Owley Wood beating Nick Hamman and Phil Scott in the final.