Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Wrockites face Derby trip, Newport face Champs, Bylet aim to move off bottom
League leaders Wrockwardine Wood face a short trip to St Georges in week 16 of the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier Bowling League. Captain Rob Jones says it is “always a difficult fixture in the calendar away to St Georges, traditionally not a green we typically do too well at. But we’ll approach it like our other away games so far this year, Win as many as we can, and see where that leaves us at 10pm.” St Georges have had a good season so far, and have a top 3 spot in their sights. Stand in skipper Matt Rhodes said “We’re looking forward to Friday now. An exceptionally tough game with the way Wrockwardine have been performing so we will welcome them with respect given their form, which has been immense week in week out this year. We hope for a good natured game and a good result for us as the Dragons.” 2nd placed Castlefields will look to take any advantage of a Wrockwardine Wood slip as they travel to Ifton, where they will need to win if they are able to catch the leaders. Ifton though are looking for a top half finish and to make sure they stay out of trouble at the bottom. The Champions Sir John Bayley still occupy 3rd place and will look for an away win at Newport, a green they traditionally do well on. But Newport have been playing well lately, and captain Ayden Smith knows “we are up against it from the off. I think 4 or 5, maybe more than that, have practiced it consistently for the county game at the start of the season. We will put our all in. We are aiming for a top half finish and we have to capitalise when we are at home.”
Bylet will be looking to move off bottom spot as they host Meole Brace, who have struggled away at times so far this season but have had some good away results at Hanwood and Newport. Highley are just above Bylet and travel to rivals Wem USC, knowing any points they take off them could be vital at the end of the season. Wem have been good at home recently, and the recent dry weather should help them keep that up. Chester Road travel to Hanwood where they have had a poor record in recent years, but have been in good form recently, while Hanwood will be fired up to bounce back after getting just one winner at Burway last week. Burway though will be looking to keep that form up as they make the long trip up the A49 to Hanmer, but Hanmer have been good at home so far this season, having not lost a game there.
Fixtures:
St Georges v Wrockwardine Wood
Ifton v Castlefields
Newport v Sir John Bayley
Hanwood v Chester Road
Bylet v Meole Brace
Wem USC v Highley
Hanmer v Burway