Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Fields win title, Ifton earn 3rd, Burway get top 6
Castlefields won the 2024 Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowling League title by the closest of margins in the final week of the season. They won the title on Games Won, the first time a title has been decided on that, after Castlefields and Sir John Bayley won 12-2 against Wrockwardine Wood and Adderley respectively. It was close all night, both teams were 6-0 up and then had a defeat in the middle four. Castlefield then went 10-1 up, and despite Owen Evans getting out 20 from a few down, Chris Stretch’s win of 16 for Adderley meant that the Bayley could not catch the Fields, despite Martin Williams’ winning 17 last on for the Wrockites, both earning their team’s best winner of the night. Victorious captain Steve Peach said “another superb win to finish the season as champions! We knew this year we would be up against a formidable opponent in SJB and that proved to be the case. It is a ridiculous effort from both clubs to be scoring like they have done and for both teams to finish level on points and it be a record points tally only for one to narrowly miss out on the league! Luckily for us it wasn’t us, after last year’s disappointment losing out by 1 point it would have been gutting for it to happen again. Commiserations to SJB I’m sure they will be back to try and wrestle it back next year! As for my lads they have put in a tremendous effort the second half of the season to even put us in with a shout of winning, think we were 25 or so points behind at one point so a massive well done to all them a super effort, can’t wait for next season already! A big thanks to Rob Burroughs and Martin Gaut who do a lot of hard work behind the scenes, without people like this these leagues wouldn’t be running so well done to both! Winter well everyone see you all next season up the fields!” Sir John Bayley vice-captain Tom Roden was gracious in just missing out saying “firstly, congratulations to Castlefields, it’s our turn to be on the receiving end of a painfully close runners up spot! But we can’t be disappointed, both teams have broken the league points record and Castlefields thoroughly deserve the league title. We’ll do it all again next year.”
Ifton managed to finish top 3 for only the second time in the club’s history after beating St Georges 10-4. Captain Dickie Jones says it was a “good steady performance from us that got us the win to stay undefeated at all home season. As a team we have done well winning 6 games away and are happy to finish third behind two very strong teams.” Best winners for them were Dicky Jones and Craig Griffiths 8, with Joe Killen capping off a fine season with a best win of 10 for the visitors, who finish in 5th. Burway finished in their highest position in the league in 6th after beating Wem USC 9-5. Skipper Adam Dovey was “really happy to finish the season with a win, missing a fair few and the lads that came in did a great job. Delighted to get our highest finish ever with everyone playing a massive part and a massive well done to Rich Lane on finishing 5th in the Averages. Our away form was really good this year and always made it hard for the home team to get a result. Just need to tighten up against the top teams at home to push on further. Congratulations to Castlefields on winning the league.” Best winner for them was Ben Allen 3, with Gareth Davies best for the away side 6. Bylet capped off a tough year with a home win over Hanwood 9-5. Captain Cheryl Caswell again led the way with a 21-11 victory, while Simon Lane was best for the visitors 10. Meole Brace pipped Highley into 8th with a 12-4 win at Horsehay, Dave Redge best winner 11 while Rich Jones was best winner 9 for the home side, who now start to prepare for their Play Off. Highley did end with 6 winners at Hanmer, Frank Leek best winner 9, with the home’s best being Marcus Hughes by the same score line.
Castlefields finished ahead of Sir John Bayley on Games Won, while Horsehay were 19 behind the Bylet at the bottom of the league. Callum Wraight won the League Averages and Most Consecutive Wins, with Stuart Rutter finishing 2nd and Alex Jones 3rd.
| WonAggPtsHome TeamPremierAway TeamPtsAggWonHACHPP72299BurwayVWem U S C51695✓ 822410IftonVSt Georges41914✓ 62148HanmerVHighley61976✓ 1024312Sir J BayleyVAdderley21602✓ ✓ 42034HorsehayVMeole Brace122208✓ 72289ByletVHanwood52185✓ 1024712CastlefieldsVWrockwardine Wood21792✓ |
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