Leaders Wrockwardine Wood win on the road to stay clear at summit - Shropshire Premier bowls

Wrockwardine Wood lead the way in an exciting three-way battle at the summit of the Shropshire Premier Bowling League after a high-scoring win on the road at Adderley.

An entertaining affair in north Shropshire went the way of Wood 8-4.

An aggregate scoreline of 237-201 told the story of a clash of big scores the high-flying Telford visitors pocketing the away bonus points.

The Wrockites are now three points clear of Sir John Bayley, with Castlefields another point behind in what is promising to be an exciting race after just seven games.

Wood’s big winners came through Joseph Killen and Josh Cotton, 21-11 over Tony Sherratt and Rob Hollins respectively.

Clay Flattley (21-18) and Matthew Ealey (21-20) chalked up important narrow successes.

Adderley remain second-bottom but gave it a good go with winners via Dave Bamford, Austin Wilson, Richard Pullen and Garry Owen.

There is a key clash at the top of the standings on Friday as first welcome third with Castlefields the visitors to face Wrockwardine.

Second-placed Sir John Bayley made light work of a potentially tricky clash against fourth-placed Hanwood with a thumping 11-1 victory.

Scott Simpson lit up the contest with a 21-3 best result over Rhys Jordan for Bayley. Josh Bradburn (21-6) and Scott Harries (21-9) chipped in with strong successes in a 249-165 clash.

Hanwood’s sole winner came through Dave Burton’s 21-18.

Castlefields edged a nail-biting win on the road at Highley - despite going down 7-5 in games.

The reigning champions came out on top by five shots at 211-206 with the greater aggregate. Stars Michael Beer (21-8), Callum Wraight and Rhys Marshall (both 21-9) were all instrumental.

Frank Leek’s 21-8 over Wayne Rogers was the best result for hosts Highley, who climb to sixth by pocketing seven points despite defeat.

Bylet remain bottom and five points adrift after Ifton clinched a 7-5 win on the road in Bridgnorth.

The visitors are up to fifth after their 11-point away haul in the high-scoring 236-209 victory.

Joey Williams’ 21-10 was Ifton’s best result, with Ieuan Pugh also impressing at 21-11.

Ifton were strong throughout and while Bylet picked up five winners, Gavin Bridge’s 21-16 was the biggest winning margin for the hosts.

Newly-promoted Woore continued their fine start to top-flight life with an 8-4 win over St Georges.

Home duo Ian Howell and Ian Mcdonald were 21-5 winners to set the tone for a fine 245-168 victory.

The Telford visitors’ winners came with two deciders to 20 and a 21-19 and 21-18 with mid-table Woore consistent throughout. St Georges are fourth-bottom.

Meole Brace, in seventh, saw off 10th-placed Hanmer 8-4 (236-201) at home with Wem USC, in eighth, clear of 12th-placed Burway following a 9-3 (246-178) victory.

Woore can build on their fine home win with another clash on their own green against Wem on Wednesday night in a midweek clash.

They then head to Burway on Friday, with other action including an all-Shrewsbury clash between Hanwood and Meole Brace and a Telford derby between St Georges and Sir John Bayley, as well as the humdinger between first and third.