Defending champions Shepshed Rams suffer shock defeat at the hands of East Leake Willows

SYSTON Fosseway take over at the top of the Loughborough & District Bowls League Monday Division 1 after their 52-41 (8-0) win at home to Quorn Weavels.

The shock result of the day must be the 56-43 (8-0) victory by East Leake Willows over last seasons’ League Champions Shepshed Rams. Wymeswold Wolds had a comfortable win 68-38 (8-0) at home against Queens Park Queens whilst Thringstone Woodpeckers went down at home 37-50 (2-6) to Phoenix Pegasus who drop to second in the table.

St Margarets’ Maggies continue to dominate in Division 2 beating Brush Peregrines at Birstall 52-41 (7-1) to move four points clear of Syston White Plum who travelled to bottom placed Kegworth, returning home with a 64-34 (8-0) win. Birstall Lighthouse had an emphatic 68-35 (8-0) win against local rivals St Margarets’ Saints and in the other local affair, Belgrave Cygnets held on to take their match against Birstall Sands 54-46 (5-3).

In Division 3 Rothley Crusaders won a tight game against Phoenix Kingfishers 61-55 (6-2) to move to the top Division whilst Soar Valley Trent travelled to Nanpantan where host Brush Hawks found the visitors too strong on the day, Trent winning 48-38 (6-2). With no match for Wymeswold Steamers this week, Syston Green and Royals are the new leaders in Division 4 following their win 53-46 (4-4) against Fosseway Romans. Over at Shepshed hosts Lambs had a comfortable win 62-39 (6-2) against Soar Valley Tay.

There were no games for the top two Divisions in the Thursday League so the focus was on Division 3 where Sileby Swifts continue to dominate after they had an emphatic 89-27 (10-0) win at home to Soar Valley Valoars to maintain their 100 per cent record. Soar Valley remain second following their 84-67 (8-2) win against Kegworth whilst Sutton Bonington dropped off the pace slightly despite beating Rothley Knights 76-60 (6-4).

It was the start of the Ladies Friday evening league this week and with three of the four results in at the time of going to press, it looks like Shepshed Lambs could be the team to watch after their convincing 40-26 (6-0) opening win at Syston Fosseway. Wymeswold also had a good win at home to Rothley but having lost on one rink they finished 55-24 (4-2) whilst the final game between hosts East Leake and Quorn was a close affair with the home side taking the majority of the points 36-33 (4-2).