Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Friday 5th October
Newport retained their Premier League status tonight with 10 chalk victory over Pontesbury. Newport had three of the first four winners but found themselves 1 shot down as Daryl Edwards won to 15. On reflection Pontesbury had a number of good cards with big leads in the first four and this ultimately cost them as Newport had a clean sweep of the middle four and put themselves 31 chalks ahead. Once again Pontesbury threatened a remarkable comeback with Tony France winning 21-6 to reduce the deficit to 20 with just two games on the green, Dave Povey 18-9 and Andy Jones 16-9, they were only 8 shots from glory, but a great fight back by Martyn France and a valuable 13 by Jeff Smith secured the vital chalks and Newport won 221-211 and will play Premier League bowls next season.
The two captains shake hands before the match with Match referree John Coxill (centre) Dale Rudrum (left) and Alan Potter
The winners Newport, from left, Cliff Emery, Dan Hand, Jeff Smith, Alan Davidson, Brian Perry, Wayne Lawrence, Phil Emery, Dale Rudrum, Ian Whittington, Martyn France, Nail Hallett, Dave Westwood.
The gallant losers, Pontesbury, from left, Emlyn Jones, Danny Blythe, Tony France, Pete Thomas, Gareth Ingram, Dennis Walton, Alan Potter, Daryl Edwards, Dave Povey, Steve Williams, Barry Challinor, Andy Jones