It's that close now Fields can smell it

Nine points clear with three games to go - the fat lady is clearing her throat ready to sing the praises of Castlefields as new Shropshire Premier League champions.Only a massive away win by second-placed Wem USC at Castlefields tomorrow can put the song on hold as the Shrewsbury club prepare to celebrate their first Premier title since 2000.

That's even though Fields were beaten 10-4 (agg 27) at Wrockwardine Wood last night, a share of a mighty close first four going to waste as the home side stepped it up to climb to terrific third place.

But Wem failed to take advantage, only beating visiting Meole Brace 8-6 (agg 46) and skipper Mel Jenkins admitted: "It was not good enough."

There were three 21-20 cards in the first four at Wrockwardine, Clay Flattley and Simon Parsonage winning for Castlefields after being game against.

But only coppers winner Rich Goddard (21-10) managed to win for the visitors in the middle and Jesse James (21-18) at the back as the home side got on top.

They were led by Phil Clee's 21-7 while Liam Stevens beat visiting captain Keith Walton 21-18 at No 12 to go top of the league's averages with 20 wins.

Michael Dulson won 21-4 as Wem powered 3-1 up on Meole, but Ian Weaver's 21-12 kept the Bracers in it.

Steve Allmark beat Colin Beaman 21-15 in a cracker but Wem came up short.

The third game played last night saw Sir John Bayley brush aside Ford 11 (agg 46) - after a minute's silence in memory of Stan Shore, whose funeral is tomorrow.

The home side had three 21-11 winners in Roger Teague, Paul Reeves and skipper Norman Harvey while Ford's best came from their captain Bill Tarrel and John Coxill with 21-16s.

* Tomorrow's games - Castlefields v Wem USC, St Georges v Ifton, Chester Road v Wrockwardine Wood.

Bylet v Childs Ercall, Ford v Donnington Wood, Newport v AWC, Meole Brace v SJ Bayley.

By Malcolm Fletcher