Captain tips Newport to come on strong

Selley's men picked up their first win of the season when they defeated Castlefields 9-5 in their opening home fixture.

But the skipper believes there is more to come after a winter of change which included him taking on the captaincy from Dale Rudrum.

Selley said: "I think we will get stronger as the season prevails. When our green gets a bit quicker it will become more of an advantage for us, because we do like it quick.

"With the weather, at the moment, it makes the conditions tough, but you have to get on with it.

"It's early days in the league but we are happy with how we are going. We'd all love a 12-0, but you have to be realistic."

Meole Brace made it two wins from two as they enjoyed a 9-5 success at Hadley USC by eight chalks.

Will Tarrell was best winner to nine and MVP for Meole while Dave Price won to seven and was MVP for the home side.

Chester Road won their first game of the season 10-4 against neighbours Wem USC.

Les Markham was best winner and MVP for the hosts, winning to six.

The away side had two single figure winners, Neil Boxall (four) and Chris Brettell (five) but Colin Smith got another MVP for his 21-19 win against Martin Lloyd.

Burway and Bylet enjoyed six winners apiece, but it was the hosts who claimed the aggregate by 22.

Rob Steventon's 21-14 win was the visitors' best but MVP went to Andy James. For the home side, the best winner was Wayne Rogers and MVP went to Nick Lewis.

Bowring lead the table for the first time ever – but skipper Rich Lawson insists they are really in second.

The Wellington outfit claimed top spot with the clash between Ifton and St Georges off, due to a waterlogged green.

A 10-4 victory at home to newly-promoted Hanwood lifted Lawson's men to the summit, although it could have been much better after leading 6-0.

Lawson said: "It's nice to look at the league and see us top but, realistically, I see us second as the top-two clash wasn't played.

"But this is just the start to the season I wanted, we've got something to build on now and I've got a team that is eager to do well.

"We're taking each game as it comes and we'll see where it leaves us at the end.

"We knew Hanwood weren't going to be a pushover so I'm more than pleased with the 10-4 result.

"I saw more than enough from them to know they'll have a good first season back in the league."

Bowring made a flying start and there were impressive wins for Stuart Clee and Aaron King, who was the best winner to five.

But Tony Hotchkiss produced a gutsy performance to beat John Cooke to 20 and start the revival. Dan Wornell picked up the visitors' MVP for his 21-19 success over Glyn Hayward.

Sir John Bayley are in second after overcoming a strong start from Wrockwardine Wood.

Martin Williams was a convincing winner to nine early on and it took a 21-20 Aaron Tapper victory for the hosts in a high-quality game to level the score after the front four.

Best winner and MVP for Bayley was Paul Evans, who has claimed victory in both his side's home games so far this season.