Bayley beat Castlefields in the battle of the big boys - Premier League bowls round-up

Sir John Bayley condemned Castlefields to their first defeat of the season in a battle of the heavyweights in the Shropshire Premier Bowling League.

The duo have won all but one of the Premier League titles over the past decade, and it was Castlefields who pipped Bayley to the 2025 crown.

But it was the Bayley boys who got the win on this occasion - Scott Simpson recording a 21-3 card in a 7-5 (220-200) victory over the reigning champions.

Dan Taylor, Nick Wyer, Reece Farr, Scott Harries, Dave Semper and Chris Worthington were also winners for Sir John Bayley.

Callum Wraight (21-5) and Michael Beer (21-9) recorded single-figure successes for Castlefields, with Tom Palmer, Rich Goddard and Ashley Wellings also on target in three tight victories over Owen Evans, Josh Bradburn and Paul Evans, respectively.

Castlefields remain top of the table, but Wrockwardine Wood cut the gap to a point after winning 8-4 (216-205) at Woore.

Rob Roden led the way with a 21-9 card, with Matthew Ealey, Steve Broome, Liam Stevens, Tom Killen, Clay Flattley, Joe Killen and Aaron King on the mark.

Carl Hinton (21-2) recorded the best card of the match, but it was in vain for Woore, who also had wins from Dan Hand, Ian Booth and Jay Salisbury.

Sir John Bayley are third, four points off the top and level on points with Hanwood, who also enjoyed a big away-day victory.

They condemned Bylet to a 9-3 (233-196) defeat on their own patch - led by a 21-8 card from Dave Payne.

Hayden Lewis, Glyn Wellings, Darren Wellings, Andrew Jones, Dave Burton, Richard Lawson, Dave Turner and Steve Heighway were also victorious for the visitors, while Cheryl Caswell, Gavin Bridge and Rob Renke replied for Hanwood.

That result put Bylet to the bottom of the table after Adderley picked up their first win of the season - 7-5 (208-170) over Hanmer, with Darren Palin starring with a 21-1 triumph.

Connor Whitehall almost matched that with a 21-2 card, while there were also single-figure successes from Adrian Jennings (21-7) and Gary Whitehall (21-8).

Garry Owen, Chris Stretch and Rob Hollins sealed the victory, while Luke Grocott, Matthew Beeston, Ian Formstone, Andy Riley and Elliott Mochan replied for Hanmer.

Elsewhere, Burway eased past St Georges 9-3 (243-181), thanks in part to Carl Bowen (21-6) and Ben Allen (21-7).

In the match between Meole Brace and Highley, the hosts won 7-5 in games, but the aggregate - and four bonus points - went to the visitors.

Highley had David East (21-7) to thank for providing the only single-figure success of the match.

And it was even closer between Wem USC and Ifton as they shared the aggregate 198-198, with visiting Ifton winning 7-5 in games thanks in part to Geraint Williams (21-6) and Craig Griffiths (21-7).

However, the two best cards of the match were recorded by Ifton players as Sarah Weaver and Luke Boniface both won 21-4.