Week 14 Review

Chester Road go top, Meole earn great 8, St Georges gain fab five

There is a surprise name at the top of the Flowfit Shropshire Premier Bowling League as Chester Road lead the table in week 14. They picked up their third 13-1 home win of the season as they battered Bylet, only Rob Steventon stemming the tide as he won 17 to be MVP too. For the Road Carl Hinton was best winner 6 and Martin Lloyd 7 as they went top for the first time in a number of years. Captain Paul Fowles is “shocked to be top of the league but we are there on merit. Would like to thank the people who tipped us to be bottom, it was a good kick up the backside for our lads.” Sir John Bayley moved into second place a point behind as they beat bottom Hadley USC 12-2. Gordon Hawkins was best winner and MVP for his 1 win, while for the visitors both John Newey and James Duce won 16, with the latter picking up MVP.

Meole Brace earned a great eight points at Bowring, but captain Mark Thomas “went back down the A5 with mixed feelings. We would have settled for 8 points going out to Bowring but we left a couple of points on the green. Team played well on a green that suited us after the rain.” Pete Bound was best winner and MVP for Meole after winning 6, while for the home side the best winner was Josh Bradburn 7 but Andy Jones got MVP for his 12 win. St Georges also earned a good away result after getting 5 at Newport, a “solid team performance” as told by stand in skipper Ian Gaut. “We were missing two regulars, Tony Rhodes (captain) and Lewis Scott. Target as always was 4 points with 5 great and 6 a bonus. Now with having played 8 away games from 14, more than any of our rivals, we are more than happy to have things in our own hands. Great performances by Simon Rhodes (who was best winner and MVP winning 3) and Jim Kellett in particular, but also Mike Wainwright in defeat to Pete Farmer.” For the home side best winner was Phil Emery 9 and MVP went to Chris Grocott for his 14 win.

Hanwood also produced a great away performance, gaining 5 at Castlefields. Joint captain Mark Shore was “very pleased with last nights result given that Castlefields were much stronger opposition than we played on Friday bringing back into their team seasoned players. Our lads fought for everything. Particular mention for Greg Smith who played superb to beat Glyn Herbert 6. Glyn didn’t bowl shabby at all but Greg was relentless throughout the game. Also Wayne Philips winning 5 (to be best winner) and Glyn Wellings winning 15 both played well. Although Greg won MVP for me Mark Parsons, returning to the team, showed great battling spirit to win 19 against Andy Judson from 18-10 down. For the Fields Rich Goddard (winning 11 for MVP) was again very impressive as was Callum Wraight (best winner 6) and Paul Williams. To share the 28 points over the two games against such a strong club shows that we have now settled into the league and we are looking forward to the second half of the season with a lot of home games to come.” Ifton also gained a fab five away at Burway. Craig Griffiths and Nicky Jones were both best winners with their 10 wins, but Craig gained MVP. For the home side Kev Dovey won MVP and best win for his 11 win. Wem USC beat Wrockwardine Wood 10-4, Derek Wright and Scott Thomas both best winner 7, with the latter taking MVP. For the away side Rob Fuller was best winner 11 but Mark Clayton took MVP for his 19 win.

3 points separate the top four with Chester Road top, the Bayley 2nd, St Georges 3rd and Meole Brace 4th, with a point in between each team. At the bottom Hadley USC cut the gap to 8 points from Bylet. Andy Moss is now the sole player on 13 wins from 14, while James Duce is now only one MVP award behind Stuart Rutter.