BOWLS: STAN Frith has stunned Mid Cheshire bowls by quitting his beloved Owley Wood.

And he may have a bigger shock in store - he could sign for champions Wharton Cons!

Frith, twice British champion and twice Waterloo Cup winner, has played for Owley Wood since 1980 and the two seemed inseparable.

But Owley Wood were relegated last season and Frith, who joined them from Farmers Arms in 1980, blamed the quality of the green.

He said: 'I have not been happy for a couple of years. It is the best green in England, but it has deteriorated and I feel disillusioned.

'Whatever mark you want to play the Owley Wood green has it, but instead of being a great homester's green it was the reason we were relegated.

'I never thought I would leave and it has been a difficult decision, even though I have lost a lot of interest.

'I am not registering with Wharton Cons until I come back from holiday and don't know yet whether I shall play Mid Cheshire League bowls.

'I shall probably play more tournaments, but only at those venues I enjoy visiting and I want to continue playing for Cheshire.'

Frith, 65, has won the Mid Cheshire title with Farmers Arms and Owley Wood and has won every honour locally as well the major titles too. Cons already boast the strongest line-up in the county and the prospect of them lining up Frith alongside Glynn Cookson would give them an edge already over the likely rivals, Castle Private and Frodsham Red Lion.