BOWLS: A REARGUARD action brought Dave Woodier to the forefront as winner of the Runcorn Carlsberg-Tetley Bowls Association's Section Three Merit.

One of five Egerton B players to make it into the last eight at Pavilions on Thursday, he stormed home from 19-8 behind in the final against Diane Worthington from Rock Park B.

Woodier went 20-19 in front only to be pegged back but sneaked it at the last end.

Two other games were won or lost 21-20. Ian Joyce from Egerton B beat Grapes Inn's Ken Pugh by the narrowest margin in the quarter-finals before losing 21-12 to Woodier.

Diane Worthington edged out Barry Ellis, also from Egerton B, at the last-four stage.

Result - Quarter-finals: Ian Joyce (Egerton B) 21, Ken Pugh (Grapes Inn) 20; Dave Woodier (Egerton B) 21, Ged Stringer (Egerton B) 12; Barry Ellis (Egerton B) 21, Dave Isom (Egerton B) 13; Kev James (Grapes Inn) 11, Diane Worthington (Rock Park B) 21. Semi-finals: Joyce 12, Woodier 21; Ellis 20, Worthington 21. Final: Woodier 21, Worthington 20.

Tonight sees the De Knoop Consolation semi-finals with Pavilions hoping to make the final their own domain.

Their B team, off 15, take on War Memorial B (35) at Grapes Inn while Pavilions A (10) face Subscription A (20) at Runcorn War Memorial. The ties start at 7pm.