WITH five Mid-Cheshire teams playing in the Brunner Cup prelims, it was sad to see only one of them – Meadowbank – make it into the first round.

They were able to beat LMRCA at Mere BC but there were defeats for Crosstown, Winnington Park, Comberbach and Wharton Rec.

Brunner Cup preliminary round results:

Sale Excelsior 213 Crosstown BC 188 (at Parkside BC); Meadowbank BC 224 LMRCA 212 (at Mere BC); Metro Sports 238 Winnington Park 154 (at Swettenham BC); Manor Road 234 Comberbach BC 200 (at Farndon BC); Heswall RBL 228 Wharton Rec 194 (at Halton RBL)

In the Littler Cup, the lower handicapped side went through to the first round in all but one of the matches.

The only match where there was any upset was Sandbach Park defeating Helsby A although Davenham A did come close, only losing by three chalks to Rudheath A.

The next round of the competition will be played on Friday, April 12.

Littler Cup fixtures (host clubs TBA):

Hartford A v Comberbach B, Rudheath Bowls C v Owley Wood A, Winsford Cons A v Frod Red Lion B, Wharton Cons A v Crosstown A, Castle S&SC A v Crowton, Comberbach A v Lk Graylams; Davenham B v Wharton Cons B, Owley Wood B v Rudheath Bowls B, Sandbach Park A v Rudheath Bowls A, Moulton Rbl A v Victoria, Crewe PO v Meadowbank, Middlewich CBC v Middlewich RBL A, Helsby B v Frod Red Lion A, Kingswood BC v Middlewich RBL B, Shavington A v Barnton CC A, Winnington A v Barnton CC B

Meanwhile, the Federation bowls season is about to get underway and Mid-Cheshire’s first match of 2024 is this Sunday, April 14 – the match starts at 2pm but practices begin at 12.45pm.

Mid-Cheshire’s home game will be at Helsby with the away match against Furness will be in their area.

This season, Mid-Cheshire will be playing in Division Two of the Federation after a great season last year ended with them winning the Third Division title.