Walton surprised as Fields get off to flier

Defending champions Castlefields are two points clear at the top of the Furrows Shropshire Premier League with a game in hand – and skipper Keith Walton is as surprised as anyone.

The Shrewsbury-based side continued their defence with a resounding 13-1 win over Wem USC to make it six victories from seven outings.

The manner of the victory was encouraging for Walton, who hailed it as their best performance of the season

"It was the best we've played by a country mile," he said. "We moved up a gear I'm pleased to say, and I think we were well worth the win.

"We had two 21-20 winners but the rest were comprehensive. I don't think we expected to be top of the league at this stage – I thought it would be Meole Brace with the way the fixtures have fallen.

"But it's looking good, although we know there's a long way to go yet."

Meole Brace recorded a big home win of their own, beating Bylet 12-2 to stay in touch at the summit.

Chester Road and St Georges also had big home wins and are 'hidden' nicely behind Meole Brace with games in hand of their own.

Whitchurch club Chester Road whitewashed Ford 14-0, Adrian Smith leading the way with a 21-7 card.

The Dragons recorded an average of +103 as they thumped Archibald Worthington 13-1, Chris Halford and Ian Gaut the star performers with 21-6 wins in their individual games.

A clear gap is already developing between the top four and the rest, and Newport's hopes of bridging that gap suffered a blow as their targeted away win at newcomers Bowring failed to materialise.

Fishes skipper Phil Emery got the better of Josh Bradburn 21-19 in a 70 minute first four game, but Dave Bicker's big win in his battle of the former Bell Boys with Mark Selley, set the tone.

In-form Wrockwardine Wood produced a fine last four push to stun home side Sir John Bayley by one shot.

From 5-3 down they had Allan Gaut, Andy Jones and Rob Clarke as winners, but it was Stuart Rutter's 18 against Steve Burroughs that sealed the 8-6 success.

The other one chalk result was at Childs Ercall where home skipper John Breeze was the 21-3 winner as they climbed off the bottom against Ifton.

By CHRIS HUDSON