FOUR former winners are among the qualifiers for Guardian Cup finals night later this month.

Glynn Cookson, the most decorated bowler in the competition’s near 70-year history, will make another attempt to add to a tally of wins that has stood at 10 since 2009.

Wharton Cons clubmate Thomas Vickers, currently in top form after winning the Roberts Bakery Cup and Cheshire Senior Merit in the space of 48 hours last weekend, also progressed through Monday’s Intermediate Round too.

His dad Alan, who won the Guardian Cup in 1998, and 2006 champion Rob Winnington (Castle Private) are the other contenders who know what it takes to get their hands on the silver trophy.

Lee Cadman (Crosstown), Castle duo Kevin Duncalf and Paul Mackie, plus Daniel Nixon (Wharton Cons) are the others to emerge from the last 16 at Owley Wood.

The latter lifted the Roberts Bakery Cup for a first time last season, and is keen to add a Guardian Cup success to his CV.

Meanwhile Cadman, who lost in the second round of Sunday’s Cheshire Senior Merit to Winnington, is used to rubbing shoulders with the league’s best bowlers in the Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association’s top flight.

This year’s edition, the 69th since the competition’s launch back in 1947, will conclude on Friday, July 17.

Results

Intermediate Round, Owley Wood, Monday: Steve Baskerville CP 8 Daniel Nixon WhC 21; Phil Cookson WhC 16 Alan Vickers WhC 21; Mark Cookson Rud 19 Rob Winnington CP 21; Jon Gurney Com 16 Lee Cadman XT 21; Simon Jones Tar 18 Glynn Cookson WhC 21; Mark Winnington HP 14 Thomas Vickers WhC 21; Mark Woodyatt Rud 11 Paul Mackie CP 21. Bye: Kevin Duncalf CP.