Preliminary round of Monday Trophy sees three Division One sides make an unexpected early exit

THERE were a few minor upsets in the preliminary round of the Loughborough & District Bowls League Monday Trophy, with three lower division teams tipping out teams from Division 1.

Greenfield Badgers travelled to play Division 1 Wolds at Wymeswold and triumphed 49-44 (5-3) to earn a home game in the next round on May 22 against Thringstone Woodpeckers who were also on their travels, away to Queens Park Queens, the “Woodies” returning home victorious after a very tight game 42-40 (6-2).

Brush Hawks also defeated higher league opposition winning at home to East Leake Willows 54-47 (6-2) and will now have a home tie against Syston Fosseway who defeated Belgrave Cygnets 56-46 (6-2). Shepshed Lambs had an excellent win 69-46 (8-0) against Syston Green & Royals and now face Division 1 St Margarets Maggies who overwhelmed Division 3 Greenfield Foxes 59-22 (8-0).

In the all Division 4 clash Soar Valley Conways defeated Belgrave Ringers 52-44 (7-1) at Mountsorrel and in doing so secured a plum home tie against Division 1 leaders Shepshed Rams who, due to the withdrawal of Sileby Finches, had a walkover. Birstall Lighthouse earned themselves a home tie against Phoenix Pegasus after their 53-39 (6-2) victory at Fosseway Romans, Pegasus having got through by the skin of their teeth 48-47 (6-2) against Division 2 leaders Quorn Weavels.

Phoenix Kingfishers comfortably beat Soar Valley Merlins 61-37 (8-0) and will now host Birstall Sands who go through following their 57(+1)-39 (4-4) victory over Wymeswold Steamers. St Margarets Saints 55-50 (6-2) win against Syston White Plum means they now face Sileby Swallows who along with Brush Peregrines and Soar Valley Avons had a bye.

In the Thursday Division 1 Thringstone Rangers picked up their first win of the new season with a home 63-55 (8-2) victory over last year’s champions Brush Eagles. New Lount Hares welcomed newly promoted Loughborough Greenfields to their Gelsmore Road green at Coleorton but it was no happy ending for the visitors, going down 54-86 (2-8) whilst table toppers Shepshed North maintained their four point lead at the top with an 84-51 (8-2) win at St Margarets Maggies.

There were some big scores in Division 2 with Queens Park Carilloners leading the way with an emphatic 86-46 (10-0) win at Kegworth, and Syston Fosseway also collected a full house knocking Quorn Millers off the top spot with an 84-50 (10-0) win. In the only game scheduled in Division 3 Phoenix Flyers had a resounding win at Bowling Green Way, defeating Rothley Knights 99-41 (8-2).