St Georges back up to second with a win

In a match which constantly ebbed and flowed, Tony Rhodes and Simon Rhodes put the Telford-based side 2-0 up by beating Jack France and Mark Taylor respectively.

Bowring's Brian Jarvis and John Cooke then levelled things up at 2-2 by beating Simon Madeley and Andrew James.

The two teams then traded blows to finish six-all with St Georges winning the aggregate on 210 points compared with Bowring's 207.

St Georges skipper Tony Rhodes said: "It was a really tight finish and we just squeaked over the line.

"It was a hard-fought game but I am delighted with my players because I don't think one of them had a bad game.

"We went into it with a couple of players missing and I think that was a good levelle. So to come away with an away win is very pleasing.

"Bowring are a good side and they have already rolled Newport over at home this season. But our lads were determined to fight it out, it was a very good win."

Rhodes felt the victory might see his side move to the top of the table but they remain in second place, after Meole Brace secured an 8-4 victory at Castlefields.

He said: "I thought we may have gone top but Meole Brace are going really well and I take my hat off to them,.

"But we are going along nicely as well, we are just two points off the top and enjoying our bowls."

Pre-season title favourites Newport continued their indifferent start with an 8-4 loss at Wrockwardine Wood. Fourth-placed Wem lost away to Hadley by the same scoreline.

Burway secured a comfortable 9-3 home victory over Chester Road. Bylet's slow start continued as they slipped to a narrow aggregate defeat at home to Sir John Bayley.

After being tied on six games apiece, Tom Roden's side claimed victory as they finished on 206 points to Bylet's 204.