Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Past Champs clash, Wem face Ifton visit, Woore face first big test
The last two Champions and rivals Sir John Bayley and Castlefields meet on Haygate Road in week 5 of the Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowling League. Both sides have made good starts to the season, but Castlefields find themselves find themselves 9 clear having had 3 out of their first four at home. Bayley captain Reece Farr says “this marks one of our biggest games of this season, we know how good Castlefields are and how well they play our green, it’s always a great battle between us both. Castlefields have already accumulated a decent lead on us, and we will look at bringing that down with a decent win at home tomorrow, we know its going to be tough, but like always we are up for the task!” Fields vice captain Ash Wellings admits that “we know this is our biggest test of the season, we travel there in good form having won alll our games and made the final of the Alan Mayhew Trophy. We know the SJB boys will be bang up for this as always so should make a cracker of a match!” Wrockwardine Wood currently sandwich both teams and face a first ever trip to Woore, with Woore knowing this is their first real test against a top 3 team at home. Captain Dan Hand says “We welcome Wrockwardine tonight and we know this isn’t going to be an easy night but it’s one we are up for and I’m confident we can come out of it with a positive result.”
Wem USC host Ifton with Ifton looking to bounce back from just getting 3 points from their first two away games. Wem skipper Curtis Metcalfe says “Tonight’s game is very important to us to bounce back from last week’s defeat away to Hanmer. Our form has been good this year with a strong home performance against Wrockwardine then a fantastic 10-4 win against Hanwood. We have been playing really well across all leagues at home this season but Ifton will bring a different challenge as they have always given us a very hard game on Wem with multiple county players in their side showing why they have a strong top half finish in the Premier League every year. However we will be looking for 10 points to continue our home form and our push to get into the top half of the league table this season.” Hanwood find themselves 4th currently and will be looking to win away at the Bylet, who themselves will want to back up that home win over Hanmer two weeks ago. Adderley are the only team winless but will be looking for their first win over Hanmer, however Hanmer have a good record at Adderley, including a 14-2 win there in 2023. Burway will look for more of the same when they beat Ifton 12-2 two weeks ago, but know St Georges will be a tough prospect and will be looking for more than the 3 they got at Ifton last week. Meole Brace host Highley, with both teams having had good starts, Meole having scored 27 points in their two home games so far this season.
Week 5 Fixtures:
Sir John Bayley v Castlefields
Woore v Wrockwardine Wood
Wem USC v Ifton
Meole Brace v Highley
Burway v St Georges
Adderley v Hanmer
Bylet v Hanwood