ANY remaining thoughts that crown green bowls is a game for middle aged men were firmly dispelled at last week's Cowley Cup.

The finals, held at Winsford Conservative Club, contained four teenagers with three of the youngsters making it through to the semi-finals.

And the day truly belonged to the new kids on the block when 14-year-old Tom Vickers of Wharton Rec put himself into the history books to claim the title.

His victory in the final, a convincing score of 21-10, came against Paul Mackie, the only non teenager left in the competition at the semi final stage.

Earlier in the day Vickers had suffered a scare in his quarter-final match against John Spruce of Kelsall.

After 22 ends Vickers and Spruce were tied on 19 with the match evenly placed and looking like it could go either way.

But Vickers showed extraordinary mental strength to close out the game after he had been lying two down.

A bold wood changed the end to give Vickers the win and book his place in the semi-final against 16-year old Andy Hamman.

Hamman (Castle Private) was no match for Vickers and was easily brushed aside 21-8.

At the other end of the draw Jon Gurney (16) took on Steven Fields (18) in the quarter final and came away with the win after a relatively easy 21-14.

Gurney met Mackie (who eased past Mark Winnington 21-15) in the semi-final and fell to the more experienced bowler, eventually losing 21-12 to set up the astonishing final.