Bayley edge champions in battle at the top - Shropshire Premier Bowling round-up
Sir John Bayley edged out the battle of last season's title rivals to narrowly down champions Castlefields on Bayley's home green.
A narrow 7-5 game victory maintained Bayley's perfect start to the Premier Division campaign and made it five wins from five atop the top flight.
The aggregate scoreline was tight and 228 and 206 in the favour of the victorious hosts.
The reigning champions Castlefields, who edged the title so dramatically on aggregate last term, are third in the early stages of this season after two defeats from their first five encounters.
Bayley's Scott Simpson chalked up a highly impressive 21-9 success over Callum Wraight as one of the heavyweight tussle's standout scorelines. It was the leading result for the hosts.
Castlefields took five games away from the home side, though, with Jon Palmer and Adam Jones (both 21-11) in productive form.
Bylet and Wem USC, who are 10th and 13th, second-bottom, respectively played out a thrilling 6-6 at the former's home green near Bridgnorth.
The hosts edged the aggregate and scooped the winning bonus points but early strugglers Wem will be content with claiming six points on their travels.
Wem's Scott Thomas beat Grant Cooper 21-11 while John Newey, of Bylet, downed Phil Bryan 21-5.
Wrockwardine Wood climbed to second with a relatively comfortable 8-4 success over Ifton.
The 228-190 aggregate victory came courtesy of 21-8 end wins for Sam Millward and Greg Smith. The Wrockites had Josh Cotton and Steve Broome edged out Martin Jones and Geraint Williams 21-20 respectively.
They pulled six points clear of rivals Ifton, who are fourth.
St Georges are fifth after a narrow home 8-4 victory over Hanwood. The Telford hosts edged the tight aggregate 216-208.
Josh Cooke recorded an impressive 21-7 win over Dave Payne and Phil Lyttle had a 21-8 winner over Steve Pessall. Hanwood sit third-bottom.
Mid-table Highley were comfortable 9-3 winners over rock-bottom Horsehay.
Despite the 212-173 aggregate there were big winners for Horsehay's Garry Owen and Craig Baugh, 21-5 and 21-6 respectively.
Jamie Taylor, David East and Jacob Ash shared Highley's best result of 21-5.
Meole Brace climbed above Adderley into sixth with a handsome 10-2 (235-189) victory. Russ Pugh and Doug Edwards were heavy 21-5 and 21-7 winners respectively.
Burway put themselves sixth by ousting Wales visitors Hanmer 8-4. The heavy 238-173 victory included thumping efforts from Dave Wilding (21-2) and Kiah Roberts (21-4).
