Savour the thrilling championship race

Furrows Shropshire Premier League supremo Mark Burroughs has paid tribute to the clubs involved in a "cracking" title race.

With just two games to go until the halfway point of the season, four sides are locked in a titanic struggle, separated by just two points.

And Burroughs feels the interest stirred by Wem USC edging ahead of the big trio of St Georges, Chester Road and Castlefields has helped rejuvenate Premier proceedings.

"It's a cracking season. The top four are going really well and Ford (now up to fifth place) haven't done a lot wrong either," said Burroughs.

"Meole Brace were in it as well until last Friday when they only picked up three points at Sir John Bayley.

"I can't pick a winner, which is great because at this stage last year the title was St Georges's to lose."Tomorrow's round 12 of fixtures sees Wem USC travel to Chester Road in the match of the night, Mel Jenkins' Services Boys having lost just twice this season.

They picked up four points in the corresponding game in Whitchurch last year - and the same return tomorrow won't throw them too far off track.

St Georges look set to go top as their bid to retain the championship heads towards top gear.

They entertain an Archibald Worthington side in apparent free-fall with six straight defeats.

Castlefields will be aiming for a similar big home win against Sir John Bayley, but they are without key men Rich Goddard and Callum Wraight due to the June Festival on the Isle of Man.

But the classy Mark Rogers has been lured back into the Premier fold and there is still Warwick & Worcester man Gareth Herbert waiting in the wings.

There promises to be decent Shrewsbury derby at Meole Brace as flying Ford visit eager to have all guns blazing again, while Bylet can get close to Wrockwardine Wood in the table with a big home win over them.

At the bottom Donnington Wood look in for a tough night at Ifton while Childs Ercall will surely be up for their local derby at Newport.

And the Burroughs verdict? "I think the writing is on the wall for Donnington as Childs Ercall have had all their hard home games. I think they will pick up more points in the second half of the season," he said.