King puts dampener on Bowring ambition

Bowring's dream of winning the Worthington Mid Shropshire League and taking a shot at a place in the Premier League via the play-offs will NOT come true, predicts Hadley USC skipper Phil King.

King has been eager to get his own club back in the Premier picture for the last couple of seasons, but there's one thing blocking the way - for both Hadley and now Bowring . . . St Georges' second team.

They were poised to retain the Mid Shropshire title in style at the start of last month, but Bowring's burst under new skipper Peter Roden has thrown the race wide open again - and led to Bowring going public with their desire to feature in the play-offs.

But to do that they must win the crown as the Premier will only accept league champions into the play-offs - and no club is allowed to have to two teams in it so St Georges II cannot apply.

And King feels Bowring will fall short.

"I think St Georges will just pip Bowring to the title," said King.

"I just think they are a bit stronger in all departments - first four, middle four and back four -Êand that Bowring lack that bit of experience you need."

St Georges II extended their lead over Bowring to three points on Friday night as they beat visiting Madeley CC 13-2 with Sonya Lucas a 21-1 winner.

Bowring, also at home, were beating White Horse 12-3 at the same time, Roden leading by example 21-3.

The crunch for the two rivals may well come on Friday when they both play their last away games of the season - the Dragons at Charlton and Bowring at John Maddocks.

But King remains unhappy at the way St Georges go about things.

"I don't agree with St Georges' players doubling up to play in the Premier League on the same night.

"It's not a Mid Shropshire team winning the league and it blocks the way to the Premier League."