Bowring eased their relegation concerns in the Furrows Shropshire Premier Bowls League with a crucial 10-4 (+40 shots) win over fellow strugglers Archibald Worthington.

Victory means that Bowring have now opened up an eight-point gap on last night’s visitors, who themselves are just one point ahead of basement side Bylet who kept alive their survival hopes with a 9-5 home success over Newport, Chris Chamberlain producing their best card with a 21-9 verdict.

Childs Ercall continue to flirt with danger after going down 11-3 (+69) at Ifton, whose Dickie Jones led the way with a 21-4 victory.

At the other end of the table, leaders Castlefields moved closer to retaining their crown with a 13-1 romp over Wem, taking them 29 points clear at the top.

Chester Road and St Georges saw their title hopes fade further with 10-4 away defeats at Sir John Bayley and Wrockwardine Wood respectively, while Meole Brace are now second despite losing 8-6 at Ford.

Results: Wrock Wood 10 Agg+30 (Dale Downes 21-8) St Georges 4 (Andrew Jones 21-7); Castlefields 13 Agg+74 (Keith Wall 21-7) Wem USC 1 (Colin Smith 21-12); Bylet 9 Agg +15 (Chris Chamberlain 21-9) Newport 5 (Chris Grocott, Dave Rhodes 21-12); Sir J Bayley 10 Agg +2 (Steve Burroughs 21-10 ) Chester Road 4 (Paul Griffiths 21-7); Bowring 10 Agg +40 Arch Worthington 4; Ifton 11 Agg +69 (Dickie Jones 21-4) Childs Ercall 3 (Peter Farmer 21-9); Ford 8 Agg +8 (Will Tarrel 21-7) Meole Brace 6 (Wayne Phillips 21-8)