Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Shrewsbury, South Shropshire & Telford Derbies, Hanmer look for win
There are three derbies in week 11 of the Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowling League. Castlefields meet Hanwood in Shrewsbury with the Fields looking to continue their great form, while Hanwood will look to replicate the shock win at the Fields’ title rivals Wrockwardine Wood two weeks ago. Hanwood skipper Simon Lane says “we have had some very mixed results over the past few weeks, and we know that this game will be one of our toughest tests this season. Castlefields are top of the league and clearly playing well so we are expecting a tough night but we will be giving it 100% and will enjoy the occasion.” There is a South Shropshire derby as two teams in good form meet in Bridgnorth as Bylet meet Highley, Bylet in 10th and Highley in 6th. Wrockwardine Wood meet St Georges in what is always a fiercely contested match, with captain Liam Stevens “looking forward to tonight, locality and some strong friendships has always meant there’s been an added bit of rivalry there. We spent years getting mullered by St Georges and I think we are still getting used to going into games not as underdogs. They’ve had some top performances on our green and were very good on it in 2023 when they won, so we will need to be all over it tonight to get a good result.”
Hanmer will be looking for their first win in 5 as they host Ifton, who themselves are coming off some disappointing results. Hanmer captain Dave Ellison says “we welcome Ifton to our green expecting a really tough game as always with a lot of their players having good green knowledge. I think both teams would have expected more points at this stage of the season with what has gone before but tonight gives both teams bragging rights for 3 months anyway.” Burway host Meole Brace flying high in 5th place. Skipper Adam Dovey says “after a disappointing performance Wednesday were back in the league and hoping to keep our good league form up. Boys have been good at home this year but we know it’s not going to be an easy game against Meole, who had a good home win last week.” Wem USC meet Adderley with both teams just above bottom spot, and will want to exploit the fact that Horsehay are at Sir John Bayley, where they got 0 last week. The Bayley have dropped off top spot but will be looking for another whitewash to close the gap ahead of their game in hand next Friday.
Week 11 Fixtures:
Castlefields v Hanwood
Bylet v Highley
Wrockwardine Wood v St Georges
Burway v Meole Brace
Hanmer v Ifton
Wem USC v Adderley
Sir John Bayley v Horsehay