Gameweek 16 Review

Meole & St Georges stun top two, Fields gain ground, Ifton earn vital away win

It was a night of shock results or big home wins in Gameweek 16 of the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier Bowling League. St Georges stunned leaders Newport 10-4 to earn a win over their rivals, backing up their pre-match comments. Captain Ian Gaut commented “just for once we backed up our pre-match wish to send them packing which judging by the shouts round the green they were using for motivation but failed miserably. Onwards and upwards for the rest of the season!” Nige Evans was best winner winning 5, while Pete Cookson won by the same score for the opposition. Sir John Bayley couldn’t take advantage of that loss for Newport as they just got 3 winners at Meole Brace. Proud skipper Andy Wigginton said “one of those one off performances that makes a captain come in his pants. Bayley played decent as well and shouted to the end to make a great atmosphere.Front 4 once again the factor home with both Tarrell’s superb with Will beating Spencer with one arm in plaster and Bill man of match. Julian Cooke won sweep for 3rd week running to 8. Even evergreen Ant Bracken winning 10 in middle (to be best winner) couldn’t halt the Meole winners as 2 more in the middle meant 6-2 up going onto back. Mark Thomas finally won a close game and Martin Middleton came good on return to team. Last game of night was a classic between Doug Edwards and Gordon Hawkins and at 20-19 down with Doug lying one, Gordon fired which looked perfect as he destroyed end but unluckily left Doug two for game to sum up the night for Meole boys. John Nash went in yesterday for his long awaited heart op so I am sure all the league wish him all the best (which we do!).”

Castlefields will be happy after winning at Bowring to gain on the top two. Captain Alan Peach commented on a “great performance against a good youngish team, Michael Beer (best winner 4) and Keith Wall won in the front which gave us a great start. It carried it on right through the game, a good game played in the right spirit. The lads are playing well!” Reece Farr was best winner 6 for the home side. Hanwood though overtook Castlefields as they hammered Bylet 13-1. Spokesman Ash Wellings said it was a “really good performance and to bounce back from last week’s disappointment was really important. Everyone played well but special mention must go to Rob Carter winning 9 on his home debut for us. James Duce played really well for Bylet winning 19.” Darren Wellings was best winner 4 for the home team. Burway also won 13-1, to also bounce back from last week and delight joint captain Russ Davies. “We were looking to bounce back from the Ifton result, as we all felt we played better than the 2 points suggested. We went 4 nil up, Adam Dovey played very well to beat Jack Hewitt to 10, Kiah Roberts scored another single figure home win, Len Lewis ground out a 21-20 and Ben Allen ending his bad run to beat Lee Peate. Wayne Rogers and Duncan Pressley continued their good form, but Ben James struggled for weight, and Ieuan Pugh played it well to beat him 9. There were wins for Roy Crowther and Kev Dovey (best winner 8), both using the green to their knowledge. Player of the month contender Mark Rogers made it 4 on the bounce with a reborn approach on the green. Then arguably the two best looking players at Burway Russ Davies and Jolyon Partridge doing enough to win their games 13&14 respectively. It was a good atmosphere with the Hanmer lads making a night of it, real pleased to get a big home win as we know we can, on to Wrockwardine Wood Friday for another tough away game.”

Ifton are now up to 8th after a great 11-5 win at rivals Chester Road, pleasing skipper Dickie Jones. “Happy to get our first away win in and the extra two points. We played well again as a team, with special praise going to Nathan Lacey and Ollie Jones both of who won again and have done well this season for us when called upon. Craig Griffiths bowled well to beat Martin Lloyd 18.” Nicky Jones was best winner 11, while Alan Purcell made a rare appearance for Chester Road and was best winner 7, who had another bonus in Andy Moss returning to the side and winning. Wem USC will be very happy with their 6 winners at Wrockwardine Wood after their dramatic upturn in away form from last season continues. Captain Scott Thomas comments “we put in a really pleasing performance on Friday. We got the order right, played positive bowls and I though we were well worth the 6 points we got. We now need to carry this into the next run of games.” Craig Ashley was best winner for them 8, with Martin Williams best for the home side 4.

Newport are 7 ahead of Sir John Bayley, who are a further 6 clear of Hanwood. Hanmer are 18 points adrift at the bottom of the table to Chester Road. Pete Farmer won his 16th consecutive game of the season, and 29th overall, to stay one ahead of Russ Pegram.