Three-way battle in the Premier title race

Bayley picked up a crucial away win with an 8-6 success at Wrockwardine Wood courtesy of sneaking the aggregate by eight.

It leaves Bayley, Chester Road and Meole Brace all on 139 points with a thrilling finish to the title race in store.

Clarke said: "There will no doubt be many twists and turns before the close of the season but it looks like it is all set to go to the wire this year, which is great for the league.

"There isn't much in it but for me Meole Brace still have the edge on games played and fixtures yet to come.

"I was delighted to sneak an away win which, looking at the other results, we probably needed to stay in the mix.

"It was probably one of our best team performances. There are nine games left ,so nine County Cup finals to play!"

Chester Road sit second after a stunning road victory as they saw off Wem USC 9-3.

Roaders skipper Paul Fowles said: "It was a great result as all 12 played well.

"It keeps us up there but we now start a hard run of games. It was like a home score so who knows what we can achieve."

Meole Brace made up ground with a 13-1 thrashing of bottom club Hadley USC.

The same score saw Castlefields defeat defending champions Newport to stay in touch with the leading pack.

St Georges overcame Ifton 9-5 and are five points behind the top three, having played a home game less.

St Georges skipper Tony Rhodes said: "It was all on the last game whether we won 9-5 or indeed lost 8-6 but obviously prevailed.

"Ifton brought a very strong 12 who would test most teams, so it turned out to be a good win.

"We now have our July 29 game at home to bottom club Hadley tomorrow and I am looking for a big win to get points on the board again."

Elsewhere, Bylet beat Burway 9-5 and Hanwood were 10-4 winners against Bowring.