Stuart Greenhalgh reflects on the Mid Cheshire Crown Green Bowling League season roaring into action…
LAST year’s Premier League winners Castle Sports A had a comfortable win against their B team.
They had eight winners in a 140-200 result.
Last season’s runner up Wharton Cons had a very convincing win against Victoria B, previously known as Middlewich CC who were ejected from their green this year - some of the Victoria bowlers had played for Middlewich for over 40 years. Wharton Cons had eight winners and two losers in the 206-126 success.
Crewe PO, last year’s third place team, had a good win at home beating Helsby A 202-127.
Frodsham Red Lion A, last year’s fourth placed team, travelled to Comberbach and came away with eight winners. Comberbach A will be happy with the final score of 171-197 as with eight losers it could have been worse.
Owley Wood A travelled all the way to play newly promoted Owley Wood B, with Owley Wood A coming away winners but the B team did make it hard for their clubmates. The final score was 149-183.
It was a much closer game at newly promoted Shavington A, having home advantage against Rudheath A. The visitors had six winners to sneak home 172-180.
In Section One, newly promoted Victoria A had a dominant first home win beating Wharton Cons B 209-106.
Wharton Cons’ only winner was Gary Cookson, who beat Ken Clarke 21-20.
Also promoted last season, Barnton CC A, played at Middlewich RBL A and it was a weird result with Barnton having seven winners and only three losers but they lost the match 194-187.
Sunday sees Cheshire county playing their first match of the season against the Potteries.
The home leg is at Castle Sports, with the away match at Biddulph.
There are interesting contests across the two matches.
At Castle, my thoughts are that Simon Cookson versus Sean Morrey and Owen Cookson againsyt Paul Charlesworth are close calls.
Sean, when he is on his game, is exceedingly difficult to beat while Paul is Mr Dependable for the Potteries.
Owen can be relentless on his day - and his day happens more often with each passing year.
At Biddulph, Cheshire debut player Paul Drinkwater has been handed a tough draw against Lee Brown but Paul has taken a few scalps over the last couple of years and always plays to win.
Steve Morrey versus Mathew Hill will be interesting as Steve has played in the Potteries for many seasons and they will both know each other’s game very well.
