Newport continue to go great guns in the Furrows Shropshire Premier Bowls League after seeing off defending champions Castlefields 10-4 at home last night.

Martyn France’s 21-8 win led the way as Newport remain neck and neck at the top of the table with Chester Road, while Fields now find themselves six points adrift of the leading duo in third spot.

The Roaders were also 10-4 winners as they triumphed at Wem USC, Derek Wright taking the coppers with a 21-4 verdict, leaving Wem languishing third from bottom.

St Georges made ground in fourth spot with a 13-1 hammering of basement side Bylet, Robert Burroughs and Scott Harries both 21-2 winners.

Archibald Worthington boosted their hopes of climbing clear of the basement pack with a narrow 9-5 victory over Wrockwardine Wood.

Ifton 12 (+47, Geraint Williams 21-8), Sir J Bayley 2 (Spencer Clarke 21-8); St Georges 13 (+114, Scott Harries, Robert Burroughs 21-2) Bylet 1 (A James 21-16); Meole Brace 11 (+55, Craig Wilson 21-7), Bowring 3 (Roy Bradburn 21-13); Wem USC 4 (Scott Thomas 21-14), Chester Road 10 (+50, Derek Wright 21-4).

Archibald Worthington 9 (+7, John Paddington, Ged Ashley 21-11), Wrockwardine Wood 5 (Martin Williams 21-5); Newport 10 (+25, Martyn France 21-8), Castlefields 4; Ford 12 (+48, Phil Price 21-7), Childs Ercall 2 (Dave Brown 21-12).