Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Below is a review of the season for each team at the halfway stage of the season, as well as what they are looking for in the second half.
Burway
Position: 7th
Points: 87
Burway have done very well since they have come back into the league. Just the one home loss, against the runaway leaders, means they are in the top half, and an away win at the Bylet, shows their away form has been decent too. They will wanting to finish a minimum top half finish now. but know a top 6 finish will be in reach, their first one in the league, and a chance to participate in the Pool A for the first time.
Bylet
Position: 14th
Points: 67
Bylet have struggled this season, they haven’t been able to get their best team out at all and have only won 4 games at home, however two of these were against Wrockwardine Wood and Sir John Bayley. Their away form hasn’t been too good apart from 5 at Hanmer and 4 at Castlefields. They will have an easier home run given they’ve played three of the top four there already, and will need a good set of results to make sure they climb off bottom spot.
Castlefields
Position: 2nd
Points: 129
Castlefields have had a great campaign so far, averaging nearly 10 points a game so far, losing only three games so far. It’s been a remarkable achievement given they have lost a few players and are rebuilding, even winning the Barlows Fire & Security Alan Mayhew Trophy this season to win silverware. They would love to continue their form, if they do so then they could have a chance of top spot.
Chester Road
Position: 12th
Points: 77
Chester Road have picked up their form in recent weeks after just one winner at home at the end of May, and then a home draw with Highley the game after. But a good performance at Wrockwardine Wood, followed by a 13-1 home win and then 6 winners at Wem USC have revitalised the team. If they keep that form up then they should stay clear of trouble at the bottom.
Hanmer
Position: 11th
Points: 78
Hanmer have had excellent home form, remaining unbeaten so far, but have struggled away meaning they are still near the foot of the table. An unbeaten home record though should be enough to keep them clear of bottom spot, and an improvement in their away form could see them finishing top half.
Hanwood
Position: 3rd
Points: 108
Hanwood have had a good season so far and are currently in 3rd place. Their home form has been to their usual standard, and they have picked up 2 away wins, having gone close in three other matches. If they can keep their form up then a top 3 place will be in within reach.
Highley
Position: 13th
Points: 77
Highley have had an up and down season, struggling to keep a settled team. They have lost 4 home games so far, all against the top five, but this means that they are playing teams around them at home. They’ve had some good away results as well as poor ones, so gaining some consistency could be key to not finishing bottom.
Ifton
Position: 8th
Points: 87
Ifton haven’t lost at home yet, and have improved their away form as the season has progressed, drawing at St Georges last month. If they can keep their unbeaten home form, and keep their latest away form up, then a return to the top 6 beckons.
Meole Brace
Position: 6th
Points: 91
Meole have had a good season so far, being unbeaten at home despite a couple of scares. They have had decent away form on the whole apart from a couple of results. If they can keep up their form a top 6 finish can be achieved.
Newport
Position: 9th
Points: 85
Newport had a slow start but as their new group of players have settled now their results have improved. They lost two consecutive home games but since then they have picked up some good results, including 8 winners away at the Bylet. If they can keep this up a top half finish could be on.
Sir John Bayley
Position: 4th
Points: 101
The Bayley haven’t got going this season, despite an appearance in the Barlows Fire & Security Alan Mayhew Trophy final. They have only won away once, and have lost at home once despite some good results on there. They know they have the talent to put a run together, but it would be some run to catch the leading pair.
St Georges
Position: 5th
Points: 97
St Georges started off well this season but their form has dipped the last few games after getting just 2 winners at Hanmer. Despite a home loss to Castlefields, they have done well at home and won a couple of games away, and if they can find this form again, they can finish top 3.
Wem USC
Position: 10th
Points: 78
Wem had a slow start to the season, losing at home to Wrockwardine Wood, but their home form since has been good despite just beating Chester Road last game. Their away form has not been too good though, although they got 4 last game at the Bayley. If they can keep their home form up and improve away they can stay clear of bottom spot.
Wrockwardine Wood
Position: 1st
Points: 142
Wrockwardine Wood have had one of the best starts to a league season, possibly the best ever with 142 points, averaging nearly 11 every game. They’ve had just one blemish, losing at the Bylet, but know they have some tough trips coming up in the second half. However, they just won at Castlefields, so these trips won’t phase them at all. If they can keep close to this form, then they will win their first ever league championship.