Friday evening was to be the inaugural challenge match between the Bowling Club and the Golf Club for the Arthur Ormond Memorial Challenge. Kindly donated by the family of the late Arthur Ormond, this glorious engraved glassware trophy was to be the prize for a contest between a seven-rink Tenby side against a select Golf Club team. To fill seven rinks plus a large turnout of supporters was obviously great testimony to the former president of both clubs.

Arthur was captain of Tenby Golf Club in 1963-4; he was a life member and a founder member of the Divots Society. On the bowling front he began playing in the early 1990s and was even coached by Bert Barnikel, which led to him regularly turning out for the Goscar team.

The evening's format was to be a 21-end contest, with the Golf Club awarded an eight-shot start on all rinks, also only one shot could be scored on the first two ends (this was for everyone to get their 'eye' in).

With many players involved, it was hard to single out all the high and lows but below are a few highlights:

On rink one (the show rink) the Golf Club had Steve Amos, Robert and Richard Ormond, with Paul 'I've never played before' Haley at skip. This foursome ground out an impressive draw against Dai Spencer's rink of Sam Ormond, steady Ted Brutnel and Terry Preston. Sam was pitched up against his father and got the better early on, but as soon as Richard fathomed out which way to hold the bowl, he then finished very strongly. Richard then suggested that in the event of a draw, was it possible for each rink to bowl one wood at the jack, very much like a 'golden goal'. Dai and his rink, relieved with a draw, quickly disappeared off the green.

Pat Currie was press-ganged into skipping for the Golf Club with cries of traitor and deserter, but his rink still lost by a close four shots. Service as normal then Pat!

Rink five saw the only Golf Club victory of the night, skipped by another 'defector', Webby, who guided his boys to an impressive eight-shot victory over Eldorado Newth. Big mention to Martin Morris who had an excellent game at lead, winning him 'The Golf Club Player of the Match' award.

Rink seven turned out to be very enthusiastic, with shouts coming from all corners. Golf Club skip Simon Rowell was heard to say halfway through "this bowls is easy" and why had they awarded him an eight-shot start, as he didn't really need it! Tenby skip Andrew Muskett, though, was too wily, and clawed back the deficit, eventually edging ahead to win. Simon's excuse was that beer got the better of Procky and Deano's concentration had shifted from bowls to eating whole chickens at lunch times.

The final overall score was a 53-shot victory for Tenby Bowling Club, with cries from the Golf Club of we need more of start, so maybe next year this will be increased to 10 shots.

Richard Ormond presented the magnificent trophy to captain of the day, John King, who in return gave Richard and Robert Ormond Tenby Bowling Club ties.

The post-match discussions created a great atmosphere in the bar after and a fun night was had by all. Special thanks must go to Alan and Alison for the buffet and Carol and Hayley behind the bar. In fact, Hayley only went outside to give her son Joseph a drink, and ended up keeping the whole seven rinks supplied with liquid refreshment throughout. Well done Hayley, roller-skates will be included next year to ensure an even quicker delivery!

Rink scores (Tenby Bowling Club first):

Sam Ormond, Ted Brutnell, Terry Preston, Dai Spencer 15; Steve Amos, Richard Ormond, Robert Ormond, Paul Haley 15.

Alan Redman, Harry Meades, Bert Barnikel, Peter Hooper 32; Ian Thomas, Ted Martin, Simon Toy, Chris Hughes 12.

Stuart Askew, Tony Powling, Gwyn Beynon, Terry Howells 22; Pat Rees, D. Blackmore, Phil Goodridge, Pat Currie 18.

Jonathan Hubbard, Dai Rees, Jock Best, Roy Powling 30; Gary McNeilly, Dai Cope, Paul Heywood, Tony Wheeler 13.

Lee Richards, Reg Thake, Bill Bailey, Dai Newth 14; Martin Morris, Gary McKeown, Phil Keating, Jon Webb 22.

Ray Hine, Ray Holly, Mike Crockford 34; Bud French, Colin Murphy, Neil Dickinson 16.

Joseph Richards, Ben Owens, Gerald Hewitt, Andrew Muskett 20; Bob Storey, Neil Procter, Dean Rossiter, Simon Rowell 17.