Willows beat Maggies in a top of the table clash

WITH only four games left in the Bowls Loughborough Men’s Monday League, Shepshed Rams and Loughborough Phoenix Pegasus are vying it out for the top place in Division 1.

Rams, two points ahead of Pegasus had a good 56-36 (6-2) away win over Belgrave Cygnets whilst Pegasus defeated St Margaret’s Saints by a similar score 53-43 (6-2) at Birstall. East Leake Willows have not given up the chase yet, their 56-37 (8-0) victory against Queens Park Queens keeps them within eight points of Pegasus.

In Division 2 Loughborough Greenfields Badgers enhanced their chances of survival at the bottom when they increased the gap to 19 points over Sutton Bonington Riversiders following their 54-39 (6-2) victory over Wymeswold Wolds whilst at the top, Birstall Lighthouse defeated Birstall Sands 63-45 (6-2) to retain the top place with St Margaret’s Maggies close behind after their excellent 59-43 (7-1) win against Syston White Plum.

Rothley Crusaders take a six point lead into the last four games in Division 3 following their 47-47 (5-3) win at Loughborough Brush Peregrines with two points separating Kegworth in second and Soar Valley Avons in fourth place. Kegworth had played their game already whilst Avons collect a good 66-33 (6-2) win at Shepshed Lambs. Wymeswold Steamers reduced the deficit to five points at the foot of the table after a close 51-50 (6-2) win at home against Sileby Swallows.

The Division 4 challengers all had comfortable wins, leaders Loughborough Phoenix Kingfishers defeating Syston Green and Royals 53-34 (7-1), second placed Syston Fosseway Romans had a home win 50-18 (8-0) against a depleted Loughborough Greenfields Foxes who will suffer a further two point deduction for fielding an incomplete team whilst Quorn Dons had a fine 54-46 (6-2) against Belgrave Ringers.

East Leake increased the gap at the top of the Ladies Tuesday morning league after an excellent performance at Shepshed where they came away with a 28-15 (6-0) win whilst Wymeswold moved above Shepshed into second place following their emphatic 40-16 (6-0) win at strugglers Sileby.

Loughborough Greenfields new they had a hard task ahead in their fixture at Keyworth but their task was made even harder when they arrived one rink short and went down 25-23 (4-2) and receive a two point deduction for an incomplete team.

There were also close finishes at Loughborough Brush and Kegworth, Brush coming out on top 30-27 (5-1) at home against Loughborough Phoenix whilst Kegworth lost to Soar Valley 24-27 (1-5)

There was a full programme in the Men’s Thursday evening league where leaders New Lount Hares had a big win 85-56 (9-1) at home against Thringstone Rangers whist Shepshed North retain second place after a 76-63 (6-4) win at Loughborough Phoenix Flyers. Syston Fosseway had a comfortable 86-53 (8-2) win at Loughborough Greenfields.

The top two teams met in Division 2 at St Margaret’s where hosts Maggies relinquished the top position to Willows after going down 52-61 (2-8) in an entertaining game. Sileby Swifts helped their survival chances with a good 69-62 (6-4) victory at home against Kegworth whilst Quorn Millers 76-51 (8-2) win moved them above visitors Wymeswold Wolds.

Runaway leaders in Division 3 Loughborough Queens Park Carilloners extended their lead even further following a resounding 94-45 (9-1) victory against Loughborough Phoenix Risers and Rothley Knights surprise 65-69 (2-8) defeat at the hands of Shepshed South. Soar Valley keep up the chase behind the top two when they defeated fellow club side Valoars 80-53 (8-2).

In the Bowls Loughborough Men’s Champion of Champions Michael Brown (Quorn BC) progressed to the semi-final stages with an impressive win over Chas White of Loughborough Phoenix and now awaits the winner of the game between Mick Spencer (Brush BC) and Paul Carty (Kegworth BC).