Week 26 Review

Bayley win first title, Castlefields seal second, Hanwood overtake rivals, Hadley bottom

Sir John Bayley sealed their first Flowfit Shropshire Premier Bowling League title after earning 4 points at Ifton. It wasn’t an easy ride for the Bayley though as they only won it by 5 points, as reported by captain Spencer Clarke. “Ifton played very well all night so we were pleased to scrape 1 winner in the front although alarm bells were ringing in the middle as we struggled to convert good games into winners, thankfully Scott Simpson closed out his game during a good 2nd half spell. I think, hearing how other games were going, we finally knew we had done enough after the middle four and with both Tom Roden and Paul Reeves gaining good wins in the back we finished 10-4.” He was quick to comment about how “the lads have been superb all year, we have great team spirit and we are delighted to have finally won the SPBL. A sobering moment as vice captain Paul Evans commented that this win also goes out to all those Bayley bowlers we have sadly lost along our journey, I know they will be looking down on us very proud. Finally, thanks to all the players for such amazing support. Let’s get the party started and enjoy the moment!” Tom Roden was the best winner 10 while Scott Simpson took the MVP award for his 13 win. For the hosts Rocky Jones took both awards for his 9 win.

This win for Ifton meant they got a top half finish in 7th as Bowring could only get 4 at St Georges. They did take 3 out of the back 4, let by Roy Bradburn’s MVP and best win of 12. For St Georges Nigel Evans was best winner 2 and Mike Wainwright got MVP for winning 17. It wasn’t enough for the Dragons to earn 2nd as Castlefields earned their first win away from home at Bylet, winning 9-5. They were indebted to Mark Taylor’s best win of 7 which earned him MVP, but also Craig Elson who ran out from 20-16 down last on to seal the aggregate by 2 and earn them the extra £150 for finishing in 2nd place. But that 5 points from Bylet was enough to avoid bottom spot with Jamie Taylor best winner 8 and Tim Ealey gaining MVP for winning 13. Hadley USC will face the dreaded play off after losing 8-6 at home to Chester Road. Jim Fletcher was best winner 10 with Nick Mullinder winning MVP for beating Andy Moss 18, to end his 19 match winning streak. For Chester Road two big wins sealed the aggregate and 4th place, a massive improvement on last year’s 11th place, Gary Beff winning 7 and Martin Lloyd 8, with Ian McDonald winning MVP for his 13 win.

Hanwood finished off an awesome first season back by overtaking arch rivals Meole Brace into 5th place as they beat Wem USC 11-3 and Meole slipped to their first home defeat of the season 9-5 against Burway. Dave Burton was best winner for Hanwood 9 while with Ash Wellings earning MVP for winning 11. For the visitors Colin Smith earned MVP and best win for his 21-6 victory. For Meole a disappointing season was capped off by a defeat to Burway, who ended the season with a great away win and got revenge for their only home loss of the season against the same team. Roy Crowther was best winner 8 with Ben Allen earning MVP for winning 11. For Meole captain Mark Thomas led by example winning 7 but Craig Wilson got MVP for his 16 win. Former Champions Newport ended up with 4 winners at Wrockwardine Wood to finish in 9th place. Mick Jones turned around his struggles on the green by winning 9 to be best winner and win MVP, while for the home side Stuart Rutter earned his 8th MVP, and win those awards overall, with his 14 win while Martin Williams was best winner 6. The result meant Wrockwardine Wood overleapt Wem USC to finish 11th.

So Sir John Bayley won the league by 5 points, with Castlefields edging out St Georges by 1 point in second. Hadley USC finished bottom, 9 points adrift of Bylet. Andy Moss won the League Averages and Most Consecutive Wins, with Stuart Rutter taking the MVPs award.