Bowring in for play-off shot

A relegation play-off in the Furrows Shropshire Premier Bowls League is back on the agenda after Bowring threw their hat into the ring.The Wellington club have contacted Premier chief Mark Burroughs to confirm that, should they pip St Georges' second team to the Worthington Mid Shropshire League championship, they will apply for membership of the 14-strong elite.

That would mean a showdown against probably either Newport or Bylet, who were unaware of the new development as they fought out a tense bottom of the table clash in Bridgnorth last night.

It ended with Bylet edging an 8-6 (agg 19) win to pull three points clear of Newport, but it was the Fishes who travelled home happier with their night's work.

Former Bylet men Phil Emery and Dale Rudrum won in the first four and Alan Davidson (21-8), Ian Whittington and Dave Westwood got in to put Newport 5-3 up.

But Tony Steadman's 21-4 card at No 9 made the aggregate points safe for Bylet as they won three of the back four.

Newport will now target next Friday's home game with Donnington Wood to climb off the bottom.

Donnington beat a Wrockwardine Wood side weakened by Isle of Man absences 8-6 (agg 10) last night.

Brian Jarvis and Alan Meredith won 21-9 for the Bell while Ryan Stevens was the best visitor, also 21-9.

Meole Brace went second with a 9-5 (agg 33) home win over the Bayley, the coppers money going to home skipper Mark Thomas and visitor Steve Broome, both 21-8.

* At the top of the Mid Shropshire, leaders St Georges II beat Madeley CC 13-2 last night to go three points ahead of Bowring, who had a 12-3 home success against White Horse.

By Malcolm Fletcher