Bowls: Bylet beat Hanwood in play-offs

Kevin Brazier spent the weekend after the night before indulging in a spot of R & R.

But it was relief and reality check rather than rest and relaxation for the Bylet captain.

Brazier's confidence that his side would see off the challenge of Tanners Shropshire League champions Hanwood in Friday night's Premier League play-off final at St Georges never wavered.

But he would still have felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders when Brian Walters delivered the bowl that preserved their top flight status at 9.32pm in front of a near 400 crowd.

"When you win a play-off to come into the Premier League like we did against White Horse (in 2006), you are euphoric," said Brazier, whose side ran out 26 chalk winners.

"When you win one to stay in there then I think it's a feeling of relief.

"But there is also a reality check that we want to be a better side next year.

"We will be doing the rounds and calling players over the winter who we feel might be interested in joining us.

"It's a tough call, but I don't want us to be in the bottom three next season."

The foundations for Bylet's victory were laid in the first four with only a 21-20 triumph for Sam O'Nions over Andy James preventing a clean sweep.

Bylet's early gains were provided by Nick Powner, Rob Fuller and – after being 17-8 down – Tim Ealey, who has now appeared in all four of the club's play-off finals.

Hanwood's hopes were burning bright after a middle four turnaround as three winners – the pick of which came in Dave Burton's 21-10 triumph in the battle of the captains – earned them a five chalk advantage.

And it could and should have been more as Bylet stalwart Russell Morris somehow scrambled 13 from 14-4 down to Eric Mansell.

But a back four clean sweep from Matt Ealey, Chris Chamberlain, Mick Harries and Brian Walters sparked Bylet celebrations which continued until the early hours of Saturday morning and will no doubt spill over into the club's presentation night this coming weekend.

"Full credit to Hanwood, I think they will be challenging again over the next two or three years and will enhance the Premier League should they get in there," added Brazier.

"But I was delighted with our players. We have got a great team spirit and we said before the game that we would do it for each other – and that's what we did."

For Bylet, the emphasis is now firmly on the future.

On the captaincy issue, Brazier revealed he would be "happy to continue", while a switch back to the bigger green by the clubhouse seems certain after a one-year experiment on the smaller surface.

They are decisions made easier by the retention of Premier League status.

By JAMES GARRISON