Services with a smile at Wem
Deep in the heart of north Shropshire there's something stirring, says Bowls writer Malcolm Fletcher. Deep in the heart of north Shropshire there's something stirring. And while the early season form of Wem USC and Childs Ercall in the Furrows Shropshire Premier may not be causing champions and leaders St Georges sleepless nights, the rest of the league would do well to take notice. It was like the good old days at Wem on Friday night as the famed chorus of 'Come on you Services Boys' finally found voice again during their classy 13-1 demolition of Newport. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
And while the early season form of Wem USC and Childs Ercall in the Furrows Shropshire Premier may not be causing champions and leaders St Georges sleepless nights, the rest of the league would do well to take notice.
It was like the good old days at Wem on Friday night as the famed chorus of 'Come on you Services Boys' finally found voice again during their classy 13-1 demolition of Newport.
The appointment of Alan Smith, a well-known figure in football circles, as team manager has eased the pressure on Wem skipper Derek Wright - and his players were eager to make up for lost time in what was their first game.
Single figure wins by Graham Dulson, Wright (21-5), Stuart Bailey and Fred Bailey (both 21-6) and Shaun Nagle (21-8) took the winning margin to 104 chalks.
And as former skipper Scott Thomas - who played really well to beat Alan Davidson 21-18 at No 5 - confirmed, Wem's players are having to play for their places this season.
There's not the same strength in depth at Childs Ercall, but their new spirit shone through during in an 11-3 win over AWC that puts them third in the table.
Tom Langford, the son of skipper Roy who is returning after a year away, stressed: "There's a definitely a change at Ercall.
"The players are more up for it and have improved. They know a lot of sides have tipped us for the wooden spoon and are determined not to finish bottom.
"We are looking forward to Friday's game at Bylet."
Langford jnr won the home coppers by beating Adrian Foster, one of a number of former Ercall boys in the Archie line-up.
Skipper Mark Thomas led by example as Meole Brace crushed Castlefields 12-2 in the Shrewsbury derby.
Thomas was 17-5 down against Paul Williams but won to 19 while Mark Hinks scored nine twos in beating Callum Wraight to 12, leaving Fields stalwart Glyn Herbert calling for a big improvement by his side.
St Georges are already three points clear after beating Bylet 11-3, but the Bridgnorth side battled well again and had Roy Jones, Jamie Chater and skipper Mick Harries as winners.
The Bayley are second after a second successive home win, this time 13-1 against Donnington Wood.
Likewise, Ifton had a second successive 9-5 home win, this time against Wrockwardine Wood who were only 17 chalks adrift.
But it was more woe on their travels for Chester Road as six winners at Ford were not enough to stave off defeat, this time by 19.
By Malcolm Fletcher
