FRANK Nicholas plans to put a cup he won last year back into a space in his front room come the end of tomorrow’s final.

The Kelsall man, victor in the Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association’s Joe Robinson Trophy for veterans in two of the past four years, is among the favourites for Thursday’s showpiece at Rudheath Private.

“They’ll have to fight hard to beat me,” he said.

“I like the green and have bowled well there in the past, including last year, so I’ll be going for a repeat.”

Wharton Cons’ Peter Kelly is his foe in the quarter finals at the Northwich venue this week.

The pair are familiar opponents.

“The trick is to keep my concentration and to start well. If I manager that then the rest will look after itself nicely,” said Nicholas.

“Peter will think the same though and he’s played in enough finals not to be worried about facing me; we’ve beaten each other a few times so I expect it to be close.

“There might even be a bit of a tactical battle, so I’m looking forward to it.

“Anything can happen on the day, which is why I love bowling.”

Nicholas, winner for the first time in 2007, defeated Castle Private’s Ray Plant in the final last time out.

Among his rivals tomorrow is homester Dennis Leather and Guardian Cup runner-up Gerald Merry (Delamere) along with Terry Bebbington (Winsford Cons), Chris Cain (Crewe Post Office) and Lol Godfrey (Moulton RBL).

And on a potential final date with brother John, another Kelsall regular, Nicholas was unequivocal.

“There’s no way I’d let him win,” he quipped.

Play starts at 1.30pm.