Wins for the top five ahead of mouth-watering top two clash - Premier bowls round-up

Leaders Castlefields were one of three away winners in a competitive night of action in the Shropshire Premier Bowling League.

The Shrewsbury champions were successful away from their home green, as were Wrockwardine Wood and Ifton, who strengthened positions of third and fourth respectively.

Second-placed Sir John Bayley chalked up a success to keep on the heels of Castlefields, while Woore saw off Hanwood at home to climb above the visitors into fifth.

Castlefields enjoyed an 11-5 victory at bottom side Bylet, who gave a good account of themselves in a high-scoring affair that finished 242-225.

Adam Jones’ 21-15 effort was the table-topper’s best result. Bylet held on and edged several close encounters with Ian Hopson, Camilla Parsonage, John Palmer and Ian Sturdy all 21-20 winners. Fields’ lead at the summit is now nine points ahead of Friday’s crunch meeting of the top two.

Chasers Bayley were 7-5 (225-155) winners over seventh-placed Highley.

Spencer Clarke enjoyed a 21-3 rout with big wins too for Paul Evans (21-5), Chris Worthington and Stuart Rutter (both 21-6). Highley’s best result was David East’s 21-8.

It was an exciting night’s action in St George’s as visitors Ifton edged to an 8-4 win to trouser the bonus away winning points.

The narrow 220-208 success for the north Shropshire side owed some to Joey Williams’ 21-10 best result over Aidy Ashley.

The Saints picked up four winners through Ian Gaut, Andy Morgan, Nigel Evans and Michael Wainwright but slipped to second-bottom due to results elsewhere.

It was Adderley who took advantage and climbed up into 12th with a 7-5 home victory over mid-table Meole Brace.

Edwards Proudlove (21-9), Philip Jones (21-10) and Steffan Williams (21-12) were among those to score well in the significant victory.

Wrockwardine Wood strengthened their position of third, just 13 points behind Bayley, with a commanding 9-3 win at Burway.

Will Childs, with 21-7, claimed his side’s best result, with Martin Williams (21-8), Joseph Killen and Josh Cotton (both 21-9) in good nick in the 231-184 outcome.

Woore continued to impress with a 10th win in 18 this term to climb above Hanwood into fifth as 9-3 (227-160) winners.

Liam Jones (21-3), Ian Howell (21-4) and Dan Hand (21-6) excelled for the victors.

The night’s other action saw ninth-placed Wem USC consolidate a top-10 position with a 7-5 (230-186) victory over Hanmer, in 11th.

Bayley visit Shrewsbury to tackle Castlefields in a potentially crunch clash at the top flight’s summit on Friday night.