Castlefields crowned Shropshire Bowling Premier League champions once again

Castlefields were crowned Shropshire Bowling Premier League champions for a third successive season after a final night annihilation of Wem USC.

The Shrewsbury title winners required 11 points to seal a triple crown regardless of the outcome of nearest rivals Sir John Bayley, who ended up taking six points away from a tricky away clash at Burway.

Castlefields ensured there was no doubt with a thumping 11-1 victory over mid-table Wem.

A giant aggregate of 249-138 displayed the dominance on show in the one-sided affair. Glyn Herbert claimed a 21-3 victory, with Adam Jones (21-4) and Andrew Armstrong (21-6) also big winners.

Luke Boniface’s 21-18 was Wem’s single winner.

The champions finish the 2026 campaign 13 points clear of Bayley after a closely-fought campaign. A total of 277 points, from 23 wins, two defeats and one draw is short of last year’s 298 haul.

Bayley played out an entertaining 6-6 draw in their finale, with little realistic hope of usurping the champions elect.

Hosts Burway, in 10th, claimed the winning bonus points with tight aggregate joy of 218-203 thanks to big winners from Harry Parsonage (21-6), Dave Wilding (21-7) and Russell Davies (21-8).

Rock-bottom Bylet will contest the relegation play-off against Mid Shropshire League champions Sinclair on October 2 (7pm) at a Telford venue to be confirmed.

Bylet’s campaign ended with a 22nd defeat, 8-4 (233-211) on the road at closest rivals Adderley, who finished 43 points better off overall.

There was a rare deadlock as Ifton clinched fourth place with a 6-6 draw in Shrewsbury at Hanwood, in sixth.

The sides were locked at 213 each as the visitors took the bonus away point. Martin Jones and Ieuan Pugh (21-11) shared the best result.

Wrockwardine Wood finished a commendable third, 16 points shy of Bayley, after a final-day 7-5 (217-198) win at Highley.

Joseph Killen and Clay Flattley were (21-9) victors in the success over seventh-placed Highley.

It was a memorable end to 2026 for Hanmer as the Welsh hosts ended with a bang to thump St Georges 11-1 and climb above the Telford side into 11th.

Hanmer’s Ian Formstone saw off Mirjana Gaut 21-0 in the one-sided clash in a 250-159 aggregate.

Eighth-placed Meole Brace signed off with a handy victory over Woore, whose impressive season after promotion ended in fifth.

The competitive contest finished 8-4 (223-199) to hosts Meole, with Craig Wilson and Mark Thomas (21-9) performing well.