JACK Bushell improved on his performance at last year’s British Junior Individual Merit when he reached the last eight of the 2016 edition on Saturday.

The reigning Cheshire champion, who plays for Mere in the Knutsford Bowling League, exited at the first-round stage 12 months ago.

However the teenager fared better at Walsgrave Bowling Club, in Coventry, at the weekend.

He saw off Shropshire’s Aaron King (21-16) in his opener before ending the run of Liam Dennis, representing the North Midlands, in the last 16 by 21-18.

That set up a head-to-head with Stefan Kelly in the quarter finals.

And the Isle of Man-based bowler made it through after a 21-14 success.

Welshman Andrew Armstrong, who ended Kelly’s run at the semi-finals stage, took home the trophy following a 21-14 success against Bailey Rice (Yorkshire).