AFTER victory over Greater Manchester in the first game of the season the Cheshire men’s county team go into their next game on Sunday knowing that a second win in the group stages can go a long way to securing their spot in this year's County Championship semi-finals, writes David O'Brien.

However, standing in their way is a formidable Shropshire team.

Cheshire have selected Beach House in Levenshulme for their home venue and Glynn Cookson is the only Mid Cheshire representative to be selected there.

It is at the away leg at Sinclair Bowling Club, in Telford, that Mid Cheshire players form the majority of the team.

Tom Vickers (Wharton Cons) leads the team out at game number one where he faces Scott Harries.

Castle Sports supply the remainder of the team in the first four games.

Andy Hamman comes up against the game's current number one player in Callum Wraight at game two.

Ian Howell and Robert Winnington take to the green at games three and four. Howell plays Rich Lawson and Winnington plays Chris Worthington.

In the next four games Danny Nixon (Wharton Cons) takes to the green at game five, playing Alex Jones, while Steve Morrey (Castle Sports) the recent winner of the Rudheath Spring Open, plays at game six against Stuart Rutter.

Steven Baskerville, man of the match on his debut, makes his second Cheshire appearance at game nine and is joined by his Castle Sports teammates Jason Cornes at game 10 and Neal Ocego at game 12.

Sandwiched between Cornes and Ocego at Game 11 is Owen Cookson (Wharton Cons) who takes on Ashley Wellings.

The first night of qualifying for the Castle Sports Classic saw a large crowd in attendance to watch some fascinating games.

Lee Johnstone, the winner in 2019, came through the top half of the draw to secure his place in finals night. On his way to qualification he defeated the 2018 winner Ryan Clark.

Paul Bailey (Sheffield) won through in the bottom half, where he defeated the 2021 winner Callum Wraight, 21-20, in his second game of the evening.

Play continues on Saturday, starting at 6pm.

Comberbach B now know their opponents for the Littler Cup Final.

Crewe Post Office triumphed by 233 shots to 206 against Middlewich RBL in the delayed second semi-final.