Week 12 Report

Newport hammer Dragons, Meole edge out Bayley

Newport closed the gap to a mere 3 points, with a game in hand, from Meole Brace in Week 12 of the Flowfit Shropshire Premier League. Newport hammered St Georges 13-1 whilst Meole only edged out Sir John Bayley 8-6, despite a 21-1 and 3 win. Only Nige Evans stemmed the tide for St Georges winning 21-13 and the MVP award, whilst Mark Selley was best for the hosts, winning 6 and MVP. Meole Brace were thankful of a 1 and 3 win for securing the aggregate. Gary Neal made the best possible comeback from last week’s single chalk at Ifton by only giving his opponent 1 chalk this week, whilst Glyn Wellings won 3. Away captain Tom Roden was full of praise for both players, as well as “one of the best bowls he’s ever seen by Adrian Rowe at 20-19 down beating woods from Alex Jones 1 inch behind and 6 inches in front .” He also commented “on the high quality of matches on display” as the Bayley gained a great 6 points, the two Plants leading the way, both winning 14, with father Bob winning MVP.

Ifton moved up to 3rd place in the table despite only an 8-6 home win over Chester Road, who produced another decent performance on a green that away captain Martin Lloyd described as “the quickest as we have ever played it.” It was 2 all after the first four, Paul Griffiths the best of the night for the visitors winning 10 and the MVP award. In the middle Richard Zolman was MVP and best winner winning 21-9 “playing brilliantly” for the home side who then went 5-3 up despite “good performances from Paul Fowles and Andy Smith”, just dipping out 17 and 18 respectively. But again Chester Road picked up valuable points at the back, Andy Moss winning again as well as Gary Beff, with Chris Nicholson pulling out a fine win over the previously unbeaten Craig Griffiths. Burway also kept up their form winning at Archibald Worthington with 5 winners and by 16 chalks. Steve Rogers returned to the away side and won MVP and best winner winning 6, whilst Jolyon Partridge also won 9 for the visitors. The home side’s best winner was Alan Ball 14, and MVP was Matt Benbow winning 19. The visitors though might be ruing losing some close games as they only dropped 22 shots between their 7 losers, having a 20 loser and 2 19 and 18 losers. However they did earn 2 18 wins themselves.

The last two results of the night were 10-4 wins for the home sides, Wem USC over Bowring and Hadley USC over Bylet. There were three 21-10 best wins for Wem USC, Derek Wright, Mike Dulson and Craig Ashley, but it was Curtis Metcalfe that got MVP for winning 11. For the visitors it was Rich Lawson who again led the way, keep his 100% record this season in winning 14 and being best winner for the visitors, but John Cooke got MVP for winning 19. Best winner for Hadley was John Potter winning 5, who also got MVP too, whilst Chris Chamberlain was best winner for Bylet winning 7. Kevin Brazier got MVP though, winning 15.

So Meole Brace are now 3 points clear of Newport, but Newport have a game in hand. Ifton are now 3rd, 12 behind Meole Brace and 2 ahead of St Georges with Burway a further 2 behind. At the bottom Archibald Worthington moved a further 3 clear of Bylet to increase the gap to 4 points.

Rich Lawson is still 100% being 12 out of 12, leading by 2 wins from 7 players on 10 wins. There is no change at the top of the MVP list, Rob Burroughs still leads on 5.