Stuart Greenhalgh brings us the latest bowls news from around the region…

THE Mid-Cheshire ladies’ County team began their season against Cumbria – the home match was at Tarvin Bowling Club while the away team travelled to King Alfred Hotel.

You could not ask for a better day or a better setting for the opening match as Tarvin’s bowling green looked immaculate, and a respectable number of people had shown up to support.

Nicola Boulton – consistently one of Mid-Cheshire’s top bowlers of any gender – started the match off against Linda Murie. Nicola was in control from the start and won her match 21-12.

It was a great start at home for Mid-Cheshire with Tamsin Birkett, Sue Worrall and Viv Raddy all winning their matches. Viv had the best win of the home team, winning 21-4.

At the away match, things were not going great with Cumbria playing well on a difficult green, taking eight victories in the first eight matches.

At the end of the away match, only Debbie Williams won her match 21-19.

At home, the middle four were involved in excellent matches and were all close with everyone fighting hard for each point.

Sadly, Mid-Cheshire lost three of matches with Cindie Mclean the only winner (21-15).

While Dot Barker, Linda Hough and Alisha Marshall all won for Mid-Cheshire in the back four, Cumbria took the overall match 444-398.

This makes Mid-Cheshire’s second match against Lancashire on Sunday, June 16, a very important game to win.

Last Monday and Tuesday saw the opening Mid-Cheshire Ladies fixtures in the 2024 season.

The Red Lionesses had an away fixture at Norley and came away with seven winners and only one loss, winning the tie 165-130.

Tuesday brought another away win in the first division with Winnington ladies travelling to Davenham – they also came away with seven winners and only one loss.

It is interesting to note that in all the eight games, only one home team managed to win their match with Hartford securing a 152-113 victory over Rode Heath.

Mid Cheshire League

With most Mid-Cheshire League teams now completed four games, the Premier League has a familiarity to it with Castle Sports A, Crewe PO and Wharton Cons in the top three.

Frodsham Red Lion, though, still have a game in hand and a good result could see them go top.

Section One has Shavington top with Wharton Cons B just trailing in second spot although for Rudheath B, a great result in their game in hand could see them go above Shavington A.

Section Two has LK Graylams and Barnton CC A hold the top spot, but again a good result in Victoria’s game in hand should see them go top.

Section Three has Middlewich RBL B top with Barnton CC C second while Section Four has Comberbach C leading from Cuddington.

The Littler Cup quarter finals were played on Tuesday and last year’s winners Crewe PO were beaten by Rudheath A. Wharton Cons A, LK Graylams and Barnton CC A were also victorious.

Wharton Cons will now face Lk Graylams in the semi finals with Rudheath taking on Barnton, with ties to be played on Tuesday, June 4.

Wharton Cons’ Open Pairs competition is to be played on May 26, starting at 10am. Wharton Cons competitions often bring in some quality bowlers so it would be worth watching for all bowlers.

Pie, peas and batches will be for sale and the bar opens at 12.