THOMAS Vickers continued a sensational season by winning the Guardian Cup for a fourth time at Owley Wood on Friday.

The Wharton Cons bowler followed victories in the Roberts Bakery Cup and Cheshire Senior Merit last month with another dominant display to take the title of Mid-Cheshire champion in Weaverham.

Vickers climbs to fourth in the all-time honours list, overtaking Winnington Park duo Eric Duncan and Ken Winnington, as a reward for his 21-18 success against clubmate Glynn Cookson.

The 26-year-old heads into next weekend’s British Individual Senior Merit in ominous form.

He was not behind at any moment in three matches at a wind-swept venue, blowing away Castle Private duo Paul Mackie (21-4) and Rob Winnington (21-3) to reach the final.

Cookson, chasing an 11th Guardian Cup crown, had to work significantly harder in getting as far; first he squeezed past an impressive Lee Cadman (Crosstown) in the last eight before eventually making his class tell during a testing semi-final meeting with Castle’s Kevin Duncalf (21-13).

He trailed 9-3 and 12-5 against Vickers before recovering to 18-across.

However the contest turned when his rival’s strike earned him a precious point at the next end, prompting Cookson to throw his cap to the floor in sheer exasperation.

Vickers picked up two more to make sure he again took home the silver trophy.

In the quarter finals, Winnington edged a titanic tactical struggle with old foe Daniel Nixon (Wharton Cons), holding on to win 21-18.

Duncalf let slip an early 6-1 lead against former champion Alan Vickers (Wharton Cons), the duo then trading ends until the Castle man led 14-12.

He finished the job at 21-14 to set up a head-to-head with Cookson.

But the night belonged to Vickers, who is unquestionably the man to beat in the Mid-Cheshire Bowling Association.

Results

Guardian Cup final

Owley Wood

Friday, July 17

Quarter finals: Daniel Nixon WhC 18 Rob Winnington CP 21; Thomas Vickers WhC 21 Paul Mackie CP 4; Kevin Duncalf CP 21 Alan Vickers WhC 14; Lee Cadman XT 19 Glynn Cookson WhC 21

Semi finals: Rob Winnington CP 3 Thomas Vickers WhC 21; Kevin Duncalf CP 13 Glynn Cookson WhC 21

Final: Thomas Vickers WhC 21 Glynn Cookson WhC 18