LAST week saw the quarter-finals of all cup competitions take place. In many cases with the help of their handicap, the lower team gave the higher team a run for their money.

In the Warburton Cup involving all divisions, Harper Brass B – with 65.5 points – lost out to Heaton B 349-345.5. Meadow Ben C, with 198.5 start, lost out to their own A team 384.5-394 who will now be away to Heaton B in the semi-final. 

In the Brian Gittins Cup involving the Premier and Division One teams, Burning Desire overcame Farnworth SC C's 86.5 points start to win 364-357.5. They will now be at home to Wharton who were given a walkover by Hilton A. 

The anticipated clash of Flixton A and Ramsbottom A fell flat as Flixton could not raise a team. Unlike league matches, which must be played in the fixture week, cup matches can be played before the next round by mutual agreement. However, Ramsbottom exercised their prerogative and claimed the match, setting up a home match against Radcliffe CC who overcame Wingates’ 121.5 start to win 363.5-374.

In the George Yates Trophy competition involving Divisions Two and Three, St Paul’s Peel A’s 37.5 points start helped them to win away to Farnworth SC C 310-359.5. They will now be away to Hilton F who overcame a Polonia Club team weakened by sickness. Bolton TTC made use of their 79.5 start to overcome Top Spinners 409.5-329.

In the Ron Hindle Trophy for Division Four teams, the teams are already at the semi-finals stage from the previous round. Hilton I are at home to Ladybridge C and Harper Brass C are home to Meadow Ben C.

There are now four weeks of league matches before the semi-finals take place in the week commencing March 21. Players are reminded that they must have played in five league matches to be eligible.