A little more from 'Shropshire Shreds and Patches' August 30 1878: "It was known in the neighbourhood of Uppington some years ago... It described a race between the post boys of the Lion and Talbot Inns from Shrewsbury to Hay Gate and went on to give the incidents of 'the road,' describing the places through which the rival chaises passed. 'To Georges o' Norton as they drew near / the chaise and the pair were seen to appear.' " I've just seen it suggested that the inns were both bidding for the mail franchise to London.