BOWLS: Wharton Cons were at their best to overcome Winnington Park’s 36-point handicap advantage in the final of the Littler Cup on Friday.

They won, by 28 shots, 252-224, with Alan Hough and Simon Cookson both winning 21-9.

Winnington’s winners were Alan Baskerville, who beat Leser Bebbington by six and Alan Jackson, who beat Mark Vernon 21-19.

Cons and Frodsham Red Lion remain on course to clash in the Cheshire De Knoop Cup final.

Both won their quarter finals – Cons A 189 Castle Private 151; Heswall 172 red Lion 186 – and are kept apart in the semi finals on Saturday, but both have fearsome opponents.

Cons take on Budenberg at Knutsford and Red Lion face Lloyd Hotel at Mere.

Murphy’s the man

RUGBY UNION: Anthony Murphy is the new 2nd XV captain at Winnington Park.

Will Burgess leads the 1st XV and there is a new coaching regime under Mark Warr at Burrows Hill.

Former Park prop Dave Allcock and 2nd row Paul Dean aim to strengthen the forward play, while Dewi Morris and former Weaverham RL player Gary Woodward will work with the backs.

Winnington stage an internal sevens tournament on August 2 as part of Morris’s fitness drive.

Relegated Park kick off life in the South Lancs and Cheshire League at Vagabonds, and will also play the Manxmen at veterans level.

Burrows Hill is the venue for an England Youth Camp on August 12, 13 and 14 and there are free taster sessions for children aged six and over on July 26 and August 9 (10.30 am to noon).

John Pym (7824 326048) and Richard Elliot (07899 002952) have further details of both events.

Ladies are so proud

TENNIS: Cuddington and Sandiway Ladies first teamers were celebrating one of their best results in years, a 4½-3½ triumph at perennial champions Nantwich A, who feature a British veterans international in their side.

Lindsey Cochrane, the Cuddington skipper, said: “It was an excellent victory and although Nantwich were without their number one player, they are still an exceptional team and usually finish the season without the loss of any points.”

Janet and Julia Worrall took the drawn set which proved crucial.

Cuddington’s Men’s A beat Hartford B to be certain of third place at least in Division Two.

The mixed team were confirmed runners-up in Division One.

Grant helps juniors

CRICKET: Davenham Cricket Club have been given a £16,444 grant from the Government’s community club development fund.

The Butchers Stile outfit have used the money to provide a two-bay synthetic net area.

Davenham’s development officer Colin day said: “Quality coaching facilities were our priority because we have 120 junior cricketers at the club.”

The strength of Davenham’s junior section was the main reason the ECB supported the application.