The race for a place in the Furrows Shropshire Premier Bowls League could see a side having to win four matches to clinch promotion.

With an unprecedented five sides vying for the right to take on Bylet – who have confirmed they will contest the play-offs – a preliminary round, two semi finals and a final will all be held before the showpiece play-off final.

Craven Arms confirmed their place by winning the Ludlow League this week while Abbey, Burway, Hanmer and Hanwood are the other sides vying for a spot.

And Shropshire Premier League bowls supremo Mark Burroughs has said he wants to hold both semi finals on the same night at the same venue on Wednesday, September 29 ahead of a final in early October. That would mean the preliminary tie taking place next week.

The play-off final date, originally pencilled in for Friday, October 8, will now take place at some point between Thursday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 13, due to the number of team and venue possibilities.

Meanwhile, St Georges have finished runners-up behind champions Castlefields in the Furrows Shropshire Premier Bowls League following their 11-3 victory over Sir John Bayley in the final round of fixtures last night.

St Georges 11 (+60 Glyn Picknell 21-4) Sir J Bayley 3 (Dave Stamp 21-9); Castlefields 10 (+30 Dave Hoffman 21-5) Bylet 4 (Kevin Brazier 21-10); Arch Worthington 9 (+37 John Paddington 21-6) Meole Brace 5 Wayne Phillips 21-14); Chester Road 9 (+36 Andrew Moss 21-7) Ford 5 (Nigel Bound 21-14); Newport 14 (+103 Alan Davidson 21-3) Ifton 0 (Rocky Jones 20-21); Wem USC 12 Agg (+73 Ian McDonald 21-6) Bowring 2 (Rob Roden 21-7); Childs Ercall 12 (+50 Peter Farmer 21-7) Wrock Wood 2 (Stuart Rutter 21-15)