Chester Road lost a battle of the past winners in the semi-finals of the second British Club Championship of the year.

The Whitchurch giants, winners of the national crown in 2004, bowed out against three-time champs Garswood Hall Centre Vale Park in Todmorden.

Only Paul Griffiths and Paul Latham managed to win as the Roaders lost the eight-a-side clash by 43 chalks — 157-114 — before the Lancashire big guns lost to Cheshire’s Lloyd Hotel by 36 in the final.

But it means the County Cup winners will be in the mood for tomorrow’s Premiership Pool A final with Castlefields at Bylet (7.15pm), when Wem USC face Newport to the Pool B crown.

For the Fields have won the British clubs crown three times and are eager to put right the wrongs they still feel from the Norton in Hales County Cup final.

It had all started so well on Sunday for Chester Road as they swept past round one opponents Birches Head Hotel of the Potteries by 19 (149-130).

Rich Griffiths was best of their five winners with a 21-7 card while Martin Lloyd won 21-12 and Andy Moss to 13.

But they had a real run for their money in the quarter-finals, squeezing past Copsewood (North Midlands) by just one shot – 138-137.

Facing defeat at 18 down after four, the Roaders just got through thanks to Latham (21-9), Kevin Jones (21-10) and Moss (21-16) in a tie that finished four winners apiece.

But there was no reprieve in the last four against Garswood Hall, the full scores being:

Charlie Weaver 11, Nicky Shaw 21; Martin Lloyd 14, Andy Hayes 21; Kevin Jones 19, Neil Bithell 21; Paul Griffiths 21, Phil Boydell 17.

Andy Moss 13, Colin Marshall 21; Paul Latham 21, John Taylor 14; Andy Duckett 7, Bill Farrell 21; Rich Griffiths 8, Kevin Kearns 21.

By MALCOLM FLETCHER