Newport are out to break the stranglehold of the Furrows Shropshire Premier League big guns – after recruiting two top Staffordshire stars, writes CHRIS HUDSON.

The Fishes have swooped to sign Chadsmoor bowls duo Kevin Keary and Russell Pegram.

And, on top of the arrival of Shropshire ace Peter Farmer from Childs Ercall, there is now real optimism that Newport can challenge for honours.

They finished in a best-ever fifth place last year and are now hoping to become the first club since 2002 to muscle into a top three that has been dominated by Castlefields, St Georges and Chester Road.

“With Kevin and Russell coming on board, and Farmer as well, we’ve considerably strengthened,” said Wayne Lawrence, who is likely to step down as captain ahead of the start of the 2011 season.

“We don’t want to set our sights too high but maybe we can break into the top four now.

“We have to give the new players a chance to get on the greens and settle in, but we’re hoping to get into the top four at least. After that, who knows?”

Newport trio Dave Rhodes, Mick Jones and Chris Grocott are no strangers to Keary and Pegarm as they play together in Chadsmoor’s Saturday side in the South Staffs League.

And Keary has Premier League experience with St Georges, helping them win the title in 2006 and ’07 with Jones as captain.