Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Shrewsbury & South Shropshire Derbies, Top three face trips
There is a Shrewsbury and South Shropshire derby in week 14 of the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier Bowling League as the second half of the season starts. Castlefields went unbeaten in last year’s second half of the season, and would love to do that again as they host Meole Brace. Meole though are playing well and producing some good results, including winning their last away game, and have just reached the Semi Finals of the KGJ Insurance County Cup. There is also a South Shropshire derby between Highley and Burway. Highley will be wanting to put that loss right in their last home game, while Burway are starting to gain some momentum in a disappointing season so far. Bylet are another team on a high from reaching the Semi Finals of the KGJ Insurance County Cup and they entertain Wrockwardine Wood. The Wrockites have been alright so far this season but still sit handily for a top 6 finish again with a good end to the season. Skipper Rob Jones knows it is a “difficult game Friday against a vastly improved Bylet team. It’s no longer a fixture where you assume you will win so we will look to take as much as possible from the game.” Hanwood are in 5th at the moment and will want to start their push into the top four with a good home win over a Chester Road side just a point above bottom spot at the bottom and in need of the points.
The top three all face away games in their next two matches, which could well decide who has that important momentum going into the second half of the season. League leaders Newport go to bottom of the table Ifton, who are not in the best of form at the moment. Captain Dickie Jones says “first of back to back home games and one we need to win if we are to climb away from the bottom.” Newport lost their last away game at Hanmer, and know they can’t afford any more slip ups like that if they are to stay top. Second placed Sir John Bayley go to Wem USC, where they have a decent record, winning 11-5 last season and 11-3 the year before. Wem though are playing well and beat the Bayley on a neutral green in the County Cup this season. St Georges make the long trip to Hanmer, sitting handy in 3rd place. However they are yet to win away, having done so well last season on the road, and will need to do so to maintain that place. Hanmer captain Dave Ellison comments “we entertain St Georges tonight, we just need the same attitude that we have shown the last two games against good sides. Hopefully the sun will come out and just quicken the green a touch.”
Week 14 Fixtures:
Castlefields v Meole Brace
Highley v Burway
Bylet v Wrockwardine Wood
Hanwood v Chester Road
Ifton v Newport
Wem USC v Sir John Bayley
Hanmer v St Georges