Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Three way battle at bottom, Five way battle for 2nd, Four way battle for top half spot
There is a three way battle at the bottom of the league to avoid the dreaded bottom spot and a Playoff with Adderley next Friday. Bylet are currently bottom, but have the advantage of a home game with the two above them being away. However they take on the most in form team in the league, Ifton, who are unbeaten in 7 games. Bylet spokeswoman Cheryl Caswell says “firstly, I want to congratulate Ifton on their superb run of form and successes throughout the season. We look forward to welcoming our visitors in what will be another tough game to finish a difficult season for us and given the weather forecast, we expect the conditions to favour our visitors. However, despite being the favourites to finish bottom given a disappointing season, we will still be looking to try and get as many points as we can to close the gap and end the season with a home win.” Wem USC are four points above Bylet and travel to North Shropshire rivals Chester Road, who could potentially snatch a top half finish if results really went their way. Highley are another point above Wem, and go to Castlefields, who are 6 points off Sir John Bayley in 2nd. Captain Stu Gittings said we are “looking forward to the final game. We were of course hoping we wouldn’t be in the position of potentially finishing bottom but our home form has let us down again really. Having said that we have enjoyed this season, the first proper one since Covid. Anyway back to the game, they’re a really good side and we will probably need 5 winners to make sure we don’t finish bottom. The weather may help us and then it’s over to Wem and Bylet to see how they get on fingers crossed!” If two of the three teams finish level on points, then according to rule 17 there is a playoff to determine who finishes bottom of the league.
Sir John Bayley will be favourites to finish 2nd with a 5 point lead over 3rd placed Hanwood, but entertain a Wrockwardine Wood side knowing a 10-6 win will break the most points, wins and away wins in the history of the league. Wrockwardine skipper Rob Jones says it’s the “last game of the season and one of the hardest away fixtures. We go there confident and looking for the points we need. This group have been incredible this year, and absolutely relentless away from home, we need to go to the well one more time and see where that leaves us at 10pm.” Hanwood though have a tricky trip to Hanmer to negotiate themselves, and may be looking move to hold off the teams below them. St Georges are 3 points behind them and face a tough trip to Burway who know a home win should get them their first ever top half finish. Newport could steal that with a win at Meole Brace, who themselves could snatch it with a big home win and a big home loss for Burway. Burway joint captain Jesse James says “so the final league game of the season is upon us and what a great season it’s been! Before I go into tonight’s game, I just want to thank everyone that’s played for Burway this year, thanks lads!!! Now, onto tonight’s gams, as long as we match Newport points wise then we will secure 7th place. St Georges can still grab third with a good result tonight, pending on other results. They can also go down one spot in the table, so still things to play for. We will be bang up for it.”
Week 26 Fixtures:
Bylet v Ifton
Castlefields v Highley
Chester Road v Wem USC
Burway v St Georges
Meole Brace v Newport
Sir John Bayley v Wrockwardine Wood
Hanmer v Hanwood