Mick Jones: Newport aren't title challengers

Newport won on the road for the third time this season with a 10-4 success at Hanmer.

Their notable results on their travels also includes seven winners at high-flying Meole Brace.

Jones’s men are now up to fourth but he does not believe they can break into the top three.

“We played very well on a green we didn’t know. I couldn’t remember where it was and I’m one of the few that had played there!” said skipper Jones. “We lost a few players but we have stuck at it and we are a fairly strong side now.

“I’m not saying we can win the league, but top four or five is a realistic aim.

“We have still got an extra home game to play and we have two of the next three at home.

“At that point teams will have played each other and we can reflect on where we are.

“The greens have quickened up now and I think that makes our green more difficult.

“But the top three seem set and I don’t think we are strong enough to challenge them.”

Wem USC picked up a crucial win as they defeated bottom club Bylet 10-4. Skipper Derek Wright, so often Wem’s top performer, was again as he got the better of Chris Chamberlain 21-8.

Wrockwardine Wood gave themselves some breathing space with victory at Ifton.

Stuart Rutter led the way for the visitors with a 21-9 success over Dave Bond.

Hanwood continue to struggle away from home as they went down to a 12-2 defeat at Burway. Kiah Roberts was the home side’s star with a 21-10 victory over Dave Payne.

Big 21-9 wins for Reece Farr and Philip Jones Jnr proved crucial for Bowring as they edged the aggregate to beat St Georges 8-6.