Bylet hope to improve after maiden victory

The Bridgnorth-based side, who finished bottom of the division last year, had lost their first three matches on the spin this season – including a 12-0 whitewash at Newport earlier in the week.

But they halted that losing run on Friday night with a 7-7 victory at home to Wem USC, thanks to a strong finish in the back four, which they won 3-1.

McGill said: "It was a tight game. Actually we were slightly disappointed because we had a couple of 19 and 18 defeats as well as three 17s.

"Any one of those could have given us more points but it was nice to finish strongly. We had three winners in the last four and that got us over the finishing line.

"We were relieved to get the win and it is a start because we lost three players from last year which has made it a bit difficult. We have managed to recruit two or three but they are still young and finding their feet. But we will remain positive and see what happens."

Bylet lost Richard Morris, Andy James and Simon Madeley in the close season but have recruited Rob Steventon Rich Taylor and John Coxill.

Steventon continued his fine start to the season, winning 21-15 against Fred Bailey in the back four. Skipper Mick Harries won 21-16 against Neil Boxall and Chris Chamberlain beat Barrie Thomas by the same score. Those victories, along with Taylor's victory to 16 over Gavin Tommy and McGill's 21-7 win over Curtis Metcalfe earlier on, proved vital.

Wem took the front and middle four 3-1 but ended up losing the aggregate 225-217, handing Bylet the narrowest of victories.

Archibald Worthington beat the league leaders, Meole Brace, 10-4 thanks to a blistering start which saw them claim seven of the first eight games.

Burway earned the biggest win of the night, 12-2, against a Sir John Bayley side short of four players, including captain Tom Roden.

Castlefields beat champions Newport, 10-4, Wrockwardine Wood beat Hadley, 9-5, while Bowring edged out Ifton 8-6 at home, winning the aggregate 208-198. St Georges bagged a 10-4 win over Chester Road.

Meole Brace now lead at the top by two points from St Georges, with Newport and Castlefields a further point behind.