Ercall not Childs' play
It's not often that Childs Ercall are mentioned in despatches at the top of the Furrows Shropshire Premier League - but they have really put a cat amongst the pigeons now.
They were supposed to be the cannon fodder for Castlefields to hammer at home on Friday night and significantly close the gap on leaders St Georges, who were warily entertaining their County Cup final conquerors Sir John Bayley.
But a cracking Premier League season has been anything but predictable - and second bottom Childs Ercall clearly hadn't read the script.
They battled manfully to share the first four and finished up with four points as Castlefields' hopes for at least a 13-1 win were hit in a disappointing 10-4 victory.
And with St Georges seeing off the Bayley with few worries 11-3, what had been a 10 point advantage was actually extended and not cut, as they feared, to 11 - with just two games to go.
Isle of Man fixture concessions mean the two rivals don't play again until next Wednesday, but the 'mind games' of St Georges skipper Mick Jones in making the Fields the title favourites look to have paid a massive dividend now.
Childs Ercall's famous four started with stand-in skipper Ian Harvey (21-18 against Rich Goddard) and Graham Farmer (21-19 against averages title chaser Clay Flattley) both getting up in the first four.
A Castlefields clean sweep of the middle may have settle home nerves, but Ben Gibson (21-16) v Jesse James at No 10) and Gary Mountford (21-19 v Barry Keep at 12) hit them hard.
Mike Hinton, Roger Teague and captain Spencer Clarke - who won a superb 21-20 tussle with Ian Gaut - were the only Bayley Boys to quell the Dragons fire.
A first league championship since 2002 surely looms for Jones & Co now.
Chester Road look secure in third place after their big home win over Wrockwardine Wood, Paul Griffiths sneaking a ninth individual point with a 21-20 card against Dale Downes.
Terry Williams and his Ifton side are really threatening Bayley's fourth spot after a fine 9-5 win at Donnington Wood.
Meole Brace look secure in sixth after a 10-4 win over Wem USC led once again by Adie Jennings. The home club included Ian Beaman and Albert Jones while Barrie Thomas retained his role as Wem's coppers king.
Newport had five winners - three of them 21-13 - as they only lost by 14 shots at Archibald Worthington while Ford had three single figure winners at home to bottom club White Horse.
By Malcolm Fletcher
