Mark Taylor hopeful of avoiding the drop
Skipper Mark Taylor is hopeful Castlefields’ fortunes will turn when they have a full strength squad available.
Taylor’s relegation-threatened side are bottom of the Summit League Premier Division after a 9-1 (158-117) defeat at table-topping Greville Arms.
Leighton Roberts was the only winner for the visitors, but Taylor remains adamant that results can turn.
“We have had issues with unavailability and holidays but we are hoping to get back to normal soon,” said Taylor.
“We have been a bit light player-wise but when we get players back I’m hopeful that we can start getting wins again.”
While a trip to the Solihull-based leaders was always going to be a difficult prospect, Taylor admitted he was looking for a better return.
“They bowled exceptionally well and our team bowled fairly well,” he added.
“It was a tough place to go and a fair distance to travel for one winner.
“Leighton bowled exceptionally well and we were hoping for a couple more winners in the back four.
“Kiah Roberts, Mike Beer and myself all went close so it could have been more.”
St Georges lifted themselves up to seventh with an 8-2 (158-131) success against Chadsmoor A.
Michael Wainwright and Dave King edged their games to 20 and 19 respectively and skipper Glyn Picknell believes that was the difference.
“Winning those tight games is the difference between being up at the top end and down in the lower reaches.
“Even last week we had two 21-20s at Chadsmoor so that was another two points we could have had there.”
St Georges’ run-in sees them face two of the current top three – Greville Arms and King George V – as well as struggling Penn and West Brom FSC. With two games against Penn to come next, Picknell knows they could prove pivotal.
He said: “We are out the relegation mire at the moment but there are still some tough games to play.
“Penn are a bit like us and have improved their form recently.”
Martin Williams was the only winner – in a close 21-20 clash – for Wrockwardine Wood as they were beaten 9-1 in their Feeder A fixture at Moseley.
Second-placed Hadley USC suffered a 9-1 reverse in Feeder B, Aaron King picking up their only point.
