Rams too good for the Weavels
SHEPSHED Rams extended their lead to five points at the top of the Loughborough & District Bowls League Monday Division 1 following their 60-43 (8-0) victory at relegated Quorn Weavels whilst Phoenix Pegasus moved into second place with a comfortable 72-45 (6-2) win against fellow challengers Syston Fosseway.
Thringstone Woodpeckers eased their relegation worries with a close 49-45 (6-2) win at home against Queens Park Queens leaving Wymeswold Wolds looking over their shoulders after they went down in a tight game 50-52 (2-6) at East Leake Willows.
St Margaret’s Maggies move to the top of Division 2 on rink wins despite losing the match 32-56 (4-4) against previous leaders St Margaret’s Saints, whilst the closest of finishes this week must be the game at Belgrave where hosts Cygnets were one shot down on each of their three rinks against Kegworth going into the last end and all three rinks then dropped one shot on the last leaving Kegworth winners 46-40 (8-0). Lighthouse won the all Birstall derby game with Sands 65-36 (6-2) to ease their relegation fears.
Division 3 leaders Greenfields Badgers suffered a setback in their home tie with title chasers Sutton Bonington Riversiders, the visitors winning comfortably 58-43 (8-0) who now extend their lead over third placed Rothley Crusaders following their 32-57 (2-6) defeat at home to Sileby Swallows. Phoenix Kingfishers collected their first win since 4th June with a good 57-41 (8-0) victory at Bowling Green Way against Soar Valley Trent.
Wymeswold Steamers secured the Division 4 title with an emphatic 69-24 (7-1) win against bottom club Belgrave Ringers whilst the fight for the second promotion place took a strange twist when Shepshed Lambs went down at home 35-62 to lowly Greenfields Foxes thereby allowing Soar Valley Tay to extend their lead in second place to ten points after a comfortable 60-40 (8-0) win at Fosseway Romans.
There are some intriguing ties to look forward to in the Thursday Trophy semi-finals on 16th August. Shepshed Norths reward for their 65-54 (8-2) victory over second Division Quorn Millers is a plum home game with Brush Eagles who beat Loughborough Greenfields 71-45 (10-0). The second semi-final game will see Thringstone Rangers from Division 1 hosting Division 2 Phoenix Flyers after the Rangers beat Division 2 East Leake Willows 73-52 (8-2) whilst the Flyers successfully overcame Division 1 opponents Wymeswold Wolds 78-56 (6-4).
In the Ladies Friday evening league, Syston Fosseway travelled to Thringstone in a rearranged fixture where the hosts took the honours 34-25 (6-0) but they fared better a few nights later when they visited Quorn with the Fosse collecting a valuable win 33-30 (4-2). Wyemswold consolidated their position in second place behind Shepshed Lambs with a comfortable 48-20 (6-0) victory against Loughborough Greenfields.
The Loughborough & District Bowling Association Mallison Shield was won by Thringstone, the result being decided on shots up on the extra ends. The full result is: Winners; Thringstone +16 shots and +4 shots on the extra end, 2nd Wymeswold +16 and +1 on the extra end, 3rd Queens Park +5, 4th Phoenix -1, 5th Greenfields -8, 6th Quorn -13, 7th Sileby -15.
The draw for the semi-final of the Champion of Champions to be played by August 27 is: Darren Allsop (New Lount) v Terry Bailey ( Wymeswold) and Sam Dobson (St Margaret’s) v Brian Twist (East Leake).