WITH the top two teams having postponed this week, there was a chance for third-placed Caldicot to close the gap at the top of the Monmouthshire Short Mat Bowls Association League, reports HAYDN HOLDER.

However, a 10-0 thrashing at Devauden saw the home team move above the visitors into third place instead.

In the bottom of the table clash, Magor earned a narrow away win at Mathern, leaving them just one point adrift going into the last two fixtures.

In the final fixture of the week, Usk entertained Little Mill and, with three mats won and the overall winning score, the eight-point haul moved Usk up to third place, five points above Devauden.

However, with a 16-point gap to leaders Dingestow, it is almost certainly a two-horse race for the title with Caerwent.

The top two have a game in hand and it seems unlikely that they can fail so spectacularly with only five points needed to ensure that one of them become league winners.

Meanwhile, Monmouth Bowls Club will be away to Crosskeys in their Gwent Bowls League opener on May 2, while Chepstow BC have been drawn at home to Crickhowell in the second round of the Monmouthshire Bowling Association Cup on Friday, May 29.