BOWLS: HOULDSWORTH WMC booked a ticket to the semi-finals of the Brunner Cup with a thrilling win.

Terry Gale’s men found themselves 42 behind after five jacks against a strong Wharton Cons side.

In hot conditions at United Services Club in Sale four big cards put the match back in the melting pot as Lee Turner, Tommy Johnstone and Charlie Bebbington blitzed the tie wide open.

An eye-catching 21-17 win for Colin Price over Glynn Cookson then left Houldsworth’s last two jacks needing to score 40 chalks to win the match.

Stuart Goodwin did his bit, just losing out 21-20 in a nailbiter to Lester Bebbington.

With Glen Beeley 12-17 down things were looking grim for the Reddish men but he dug deep and fought back to 20-18 down.

A fine double at the next end sent the Houldsworth lads into raptures and Beeley sealed a 21-20 win at the next end. Houldsworth now have a semi-final repeat with Lloyds in July.

The Stockport and District Adshead Cup was also at its quarter-final stage on Sunday. Two big boys met at the Nursery, as Poynton Sports put out holders New Mills.

Over at the Bungalow, Don Marsden’s LMRCA men marched into a tie with Poynton beating a gallant Stockport CC side. Great Moor Cons also made light work of their last eight match, beating Woodley Sports seconds by 59 chalks.

The Stockport Parks League had some strange results this week and Victoria number one’s title dreams took a huge dent at Cale Green.

Boosted by Keith Coates (21-10) and John Weatherhilt (21-12) the Greeners defeated Victoria 189-173.

That result boosted South Reddish, who condemned Woodbank to a 12th defeat of the season, scoring 203 chalks in the process.

This week third-placed Heaton Norris have a local derby at fourth-placed Love Lane.