Castlefields double up to boost title hopes

Keith Walton’s side secured a resounding 12-2 home victory over their north Shropshire rivals last Wednesday in a clash that saw Andy Duckett earn an emphatic 21-5 win over Graham Dulson.

But in the reverse fixture on Friday, the league leaders found the going much tougher and scraped over the line with a 9-5 success courtesy of winning the aggregate by one.

With the match tied at five games all, Castlefields knew they needed a big finish from Duckett and Adrian Rowe.

And the duo duly obliged with Duckett overcoming Colin Smith 21-15 before Rowe secured Castlefields best result of the night to beat John Bushill 21-13.

“The game on Wednesday night was an excellent result for us,” Walton said.

“I couldn’t ask any more than a 12-2 victory. But the second game was a lot different. We got over the line by the skin of our teeth.

“We started slow and it went down to the last four. Andy Duckett produced some fantastic bowls to get us the victory.

“It was an important result. And takes us into a tough game against Ifton on Friday.

“They are bottom of the league but I believe they are in a false position. They have got too many good players to remain in that position for the entire campaign so we have to be wary.”

Despite Castlefields’ struggles at Wem, they were the only side in the division to secure back-to-back victories last week.

Chester Road overcame Ifton 12-2 on Wednesday before the league’s basement club hit back with a 10-4 victory.

Newport moved up to third in the table with a 10-2 home win over Hanwood and managed to hold on to that spot with an excellent display in the reverse fixture that saw just an 8-6 defeat.

Defending champions Sir John Bayley remain hot on the heels of Castlefields in second spot in the table.

A 12-2 win over Hanmer strengthened their title credentials.

But they couldn’t follow that up with back-to-back wins as they then fell to a 8-6 loss on Friday. St Georges sit fifth in the table following an 11-3 home win over Burway.

But Burway got revenge in Friday’s re-match by securing a 10-4 win.

Wrockwardine Wood narrowly managed to secure a home successowring after creeping over the line with an 8-6 triumph.

The Telford side were then comfortably beaten 10-4 on Friday night.

The final double header of the week saw Bylet take on Meole Brace.

It was the Bridgnorth-ased side who drew first blood after ecuring a 10-4 home victory on Wednesday.

But Meole Brace, who sit fourth in the table, returned to winning ways in the reverse fixture.

The Shrewsbury side then went on to win the overall clash 9-5, although Bylet will be happy with their return from the two matches.