Shropshire bowls: Title race swung wide open after Castlefields setback

League leaders Castlefields suffered a shock 7-5 defeat at midtable side Meole Brace in the Shropshire Premier Bowling League.

Castlefields headed into the weekend buoyed by victory over main title rival Sir J Bayley - who they beat 9-5 - in their previous outing, but ultimately came unstuck, as a rare defeat has blown the title race wide open.

It was Castlefields’ Sally King who emerged with the best result (21-7) - but Meole Brace came out on top in a series of tight duels - although the teams were locked at 224-244 on aggregate.

Sir J Bayley capitalised on Castlefields’ setback by romping to an emphatic 11-1 home victory against Hanmer, which sent them to within seven points of the summit.

Castlefields, who are chasing a third successive title, had previously been 13 points clear at the top.

Dan Taylor, Scott Harries and Chris Worthington (all 21-8) were the big winners for Sir J Bayley, who emerged 247-152 victors on aggregate.

Third-placed Wrockadine Wood are at risk of being cut adrift in the title race, after they drew 6-6 at Bylet and lost 215-197 on aggregate in a result which has severely damaged any outside hopes of challenging for the title.

Ian Hopson claimed the biggest result for Bylet (21-7) - while Josh Cotton was the biggest winner for Wood (21-8), who are now 13 points adrift of Sir J Bayley and 20 behind league leaders Castlefields.

Fourth-placed Ifton succumbed to a 7-5 defeat at Woore, as they lost 230-200 on aggregate.

Andrew Moss collected the standout result for Woore with a 21-7 success, while Leighton Roberts was the biggest winner for Ifton (21-12).

Hanwood were unable to tighten the gap on Ifton after they also fell to a 7-5 loss and a 221-195 defeat at lowly Burway.

Paul Williams (21-5) and Peter Griffiths (21-6) were the most notable winners for Hanwood, as Andrew Jones claimed a 21-7 triumph in his duel for Hanwood.

Adderley, who started the weekend second from bottom, climbed out of the relegation zone with a comprehensive 10-2 victory over Highley.

Phillip Jones emerged with the most dominant result after easing to a 21-2 triumph over David East and Edward Proudlove also cruised to a 21-6 victory in his duel.

Meanwhile, Stuart Gittings emerged as Highley’s biggest winner (21-7), as Adderley won 230-158 on aggregate.

That saw them leapfrog St Georges, who were thrashed 11-1 at Wem USC, to consign them to the drop zone.

Louis Dean was the biggest winner for Wem, although there were also notable wins for Scott Thomas (21-6) and Luke Boniface (21-9) in a 251-166 aggregate victory.

Meanwhile, Sir J Bayley will have the chance to defend the Shropshire Cup after reaching the final on Saturday evening.

Sir J Bayley eventually eased to a 242-171 success in their last four tie and will meet Wrockadine Wood in the final.

Wood prevailed 237-176 in their semi-final clash against Burway - with the final scheduled for Saturday, September 12.