FEW have waited as long as Dennis Leather to reach the Roberts Bakery Cup final.

The Rudheath Private bowler makes his debut in the competition’s showpiece at Davenham Rec this Friday after close to half a century of trying.

And the veteran, an employee at the Northwich bakery for more than 40 years, will savour his moment in the spotlight.

He said: “I’m over the moon to be there. My aim is to win it too, no matter who might be up against me.”

The current campaign could become a vintage one for the 64-year-old, who is due to debut in the Joe Robinson Veterans’ Trophy last eight the previous day.

He has also reached the Pogson Pairs final with clubmate Vernon Slater.

Leather said: “It’s my best season yet. I’ve never played in three finals in the same season before, so I’m hoping to come up trumps in one of them at least.”

His last eight opponent, Owley Wood’s Chris Shaw, is another making his maiden appearance at the competition’s final stage.

The 20-year-old told the Guardian he planned to make the most of it.

“It was a bit unexpected to get through if I’m honest,” he admitted.

“My form wasn’t too good earlier in the season so I had to battle hard to make it; I’m feeling better about my game now though and am playing well.”

Shaw, a regular spectator at Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association finals in recent years, plans to prepare for the contest like he does every other.

He added: “I’m sure I’ll be nervous beforehand, but once that first chalk is on the board hopefully I’ll settle down and show what I can do,” he said.

Awaiting the victor in the semi finals will be either six-times former winner Glynn Cookson (Wharton Cons) or Castle Private’s Jason Cornes, champion in 1994 and 2001.

“It’ll be nice to play someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing,” quipped Leather.

“Seriously, I’d love to play against one of that pair on a finals night.”

Defending champion Thomas Vickers, who last week won the Guardian Cup for the second time, bids for a hat-trick of victories in mid Cheshire’s other major singles competition.

But the Wharton Cons A captain faces a tricky test against Tony Malisch, to whom he cedes a five-chalks headstart.

The Lostock Gralam veteran is no stranger to finals success either after lifting the Roberts Bakery Cup back in 2006.

Alan Dean (Rudheath Private) meets Kevin Duncalf (Beech Tree) in the other quarter final tie.