How local bowls' premier singles competition was decided on Friday

LEE Johnstone emerged from a narrowed-down field of local bowlers to win the President’s Cup on Friday night.

From an original entry of 32, eight players progressed to Finals Night of the Warrington and North Cheshire Bowls Association’s premier singles competition at Monk Sports Club.

On the night, it was Johnstone who won through by edging a closely-fought final against his St Oswald’s clubmate Larry Wells to claim the trophy for the very first time.

Johnstone led for most of the game and while Wells turned up the pressure in the closing stages, he held on thanks to two close bowls on the last end to close out a 21-16 victory.

Finalists Lee Johnstone and Larry Wells with match referees John and Paul Pownall (Image: Contributed)

Earlier on, Johnstone had beaten Chris Ure 21-17 in the quarter-finals before a 21-14 win over Craig Morris got him into the final.

Wells had convincingly beaten Alan Manual 21-4 in the semis having emerged from a close last-eight tie against Stuart Goodwin, winning through 21-18.

The eight quarter-finalists for this year's WNCBA Challenge Cup (Image: Contributed)

On Saturday, the WNCBA Challenge Cup holds its quarter-final ties, with 2023 double winners Alford Hall A and 2022 cup champions Orford War Memorial A facing off at St Albans in the tie of the round.

WNCBA Challenge Cup quarter finals (all 2pm start)

Croft A v St. Oswald’s A at Monks Sports

Penketh Tavern v Longbarn A at Tetley’s 2

Woolston A v Tetley’s D at OWM

Alford Hall A v OWM A at St Albans