Home was where the hurt was for Wem USC as their stuttering season goes on.

The Services Boys slipped to their first home defeat of the season when beaten 9-5 (agg 5) by St Georges on Sunday night in a game rained off on May 15.

It was a result that lifted the Dragons to third in the table, but still 17 points adrift of runaway leaders Castlefields.

Perhaps more significant though was the way Wem, a fine fourth last season, ended the night so frustrated with the way their campaign is going.

Hammered 12-2 at Archibald Worthington on Friday, they were right in the game against St Georges at 2-2 and then 4-4 with Phil Threlfall winning 21-9.

A 21-4 win by county man Glyn Picknell gave the visitors a scent of the aggregate points – and they grabbed the chance with Chris Halford, Ian Gaut and Alan Palin all winning at the back after skipper Mick Jones had got in from 17-11 down to Scott Thomas.

It had been a different story for Jones & Co 48 hours earlier at the Bayley where a late push failed to stave off a 9-5 defeat.

But the rain that badly affected the night’s proceedings really hurt Bayley’s returning captain Norman Harvey.

He was 10-5 up and playing well against four-time Merit winner Peter Farmer when the heavens opened . . . and he lost 21-13.

Castlefields took a quick grip on their derby at Meole Brace, going 3-1 up despite Glyn Wellings beating county man Keith Wall to six.

Andy Judson and Craig Barker’s single figure wins kept the FIelds flying at  the top as they won 9-5 in the rain.

Carl Roberts won 21-4 against Dave Ellis as Ifton warmed up for their Mayhew Trophy final triumph with a one chalk win at Ford, Bill Tarrel’s 21-20 success just not enough for the villagers as they lost at home for the first time.

It was 8-6 (agg 1) at Newport too where winners Chester Road departed feeling they should have done a little bit better as the rain negated any home green advantage.

Mick Harries was a relieved man as Bylet climbed level on 71 points at the bottom with Childs Ercall by beating them 10-4.

But there were only 13 shots in it, and Ercall went mighty close to another point as Roy Langford was just pipped to 20 by Andy James.

Bowring, enjoying a commendable first season, were 3-1 up at Wrockwardine Wood but it was 4-4 when the game was washed into an abandonment.

But with skipper Pete Roden 14-6 up they will hope to get at least another point when the game is completed.

The Wrockites, who now find themselves fourth from bottom, will aim to counter as Phil Clee leads 18-6.