Pembroke County Bowling Association Finals
The Pendine club is having a very busy season, supporting Arwel Edwards, current president of the PCBA. Highlight of his year must be the county finals, which commence tomorrow (Saturday) at Pendine. All of the county champions will progress to the National Championships in August, (except the mixed pairs), at Llandrindod Wells. Tenby will be represented by Peter Day, Andrew Muskett and Pat Currie in the triples, while Audrey Owens and Bert Barnikel are in the mixed pairs. Good luck.
Rugby Match
The popular Rugby versus Bowlers takes place this Sunday at 10.30 am. This enjoyable mixture of sportsmen is full of amazing feats of skill mixed with traumatic 'faux pas'. Naturally the bowlers are heavily handicapped, but usually scrape the win. They are playing for the magnificent Trevor Lloyd Jones trophy, donated by Trevor's family, acknowledging his involvement in the sports of rugby and bowls for many years.
New Faces
Following the recent retirement of Carol Shone our long serving bar manager, the bowling club has been fortunate in recruiting the very experienced Graham Clark, who is in the process of moving into the Jameston area.
Graham and his wife Lynda have successfully run the Milford Haven Conservative Club for many years.
We wish Graham, originally from Swindon, every happiness with the Tenby bowlers.
Whist
Results for Monday, June 28, were as follows: top score -Robert Irvine; 1st lady - Gladys Irvine; 2nd lady - Pearl Thomas; 1st gent - Bill Whitaker; 2nd gent - Joan Dorling; first half winner - Jill Groom; 2nd half winner - Vera Burrows; longest sitter - Gladys Irvine.
Raffles - Robert Irvine and Pearl Thomas.
Thursday, July 1: top score, Marnie Owens; 1st lady - Mabel Whitaker; 2nd lady - Joan Dorling; 1st gent - Elsie Breadnam; 2nd gent - Robert Irvine; first half winner - Gladys Irvine; 2nd half winner - Gweneth James; longest sitter - Vera Burrows.
Raffle winners - Joan Dorling and Marnie Owens.
NB. Tenby Bowling Club whist is played at 7.30 pm sharp every Monday and Thursday evenings in the club's function room in Sutton Street.
New members and visitors are always welcome.
TENBY 124 WHITCHURCH HOSPITAL, CARDIFF 116
It was a lovely warm sunny day when the club welcomed these visitors from Cardiff.
Picking up nine shots over the final four ends saw Chris Morgan and her crew earn a creditable draw, with all the rink performing well - nice to see Eric Dorling showing off his skills again, just to prove he has not lost his touch.
With Helen Bagott having a fine game as second, and the now blossoming partnership of Audrey Owens and Bert Barnikel, who have reached the county mixed pairs final, at the back, the rink eased their way to a three-shot win, again picking up six shots over the last two ends.
What a topsy turvy game it was for the Graham Hill combination. They were nine shots down after only two ends, including a seven, and then proceeded to pick up a count of five and two fours, to run out winners by one shot.
Meanwhile, Lon Evans and her foursome, after leading by 10 shots after six ends, went and conceded two counts of six, to eventually lose by three. For Five Arches captain Doug Silcox it was welcome home time as he met many of his former colleagues when he lived in Whitchurch.
The never-say-die spirit was alive in Dai King Thomas's foursome as with four ends to go they were five adrift, but kept their nerve to claw their way back for an honourable draw.
In a tight game all through, Mike and his crew managed to hold the lead all the way, with the whole rink contributing to the win, and Mary Draper having a fine game.
Rink scores (Tenby first, Whitchurch Hospital skips only):
V. Roberts, P. Best, B. Wilkins, D. King Thomas 18; S. Daw 18.
S. Taylor, R. Thake, D. Silcox, L. Evans 20; T. Harper 23.
I. Silcox, M. Draper, V. James, M. Crockford 18; E. Tucker 11.
C. Roberts, G. Brutnell, L. Hilling, G. Hill 25; T. Johnstone 24.
B. Diment, H. Baggott, A. Owens, B. Barnikel 22; G. Evans 19.
H. Meades, E. Dorling, J. Taylor, C. Morgan 19; J. Evans 19.
TENBY 125 HOLMSWORTHY 113
The West Country accents were very much in evidence as we did battle with this team situated on the Devon-Cornwall border.
Bert and his rink must loath the number nine, as they stayed on that number for nine ends while the opposition moved into a 10-shot lead. Although coming back strongly over the last few ends, the gap was too big to overhaul, and they eventually went down by, you guessed it, nine shots.
Well in control for most of the game, Mike and his crew had a few nerves when they dropped a six on the penultimate end, but picking up a three saw them home by five shots. Denis Watkins and Pauline Barnikel controlled things up front to allow Christine Morgan to play her full range of shots.
Joan Dorling, who never gives up throughout the game, with all lending support at vital times, eased home by seven shots.
It was one of those days for Vera Williams and her foursome, as try as they might they could not match the visitors, even though Gwyn Beynon tried his utmost.
Allowing the opposition only to score on seven ends, Alison and her rink were in tremendous form as they reeled of a huge 20-shot victory. One thing's for sure there is always a laugh when Alison is playing.
Dai King Thomas and his merry crew at one stage were 11 shots adrift, but they battled on to only lose eventually by four.
Rink scores (Tenby first, Holmsworthy skips only):
M. Skyrme, S. Askew, L. Evans, B. Barnikel 15; D. Veale 24.
B. Russell, T. Brutnell, V. James, D. King Thomas 14; C. Tipball 19.
S. Taylor, V. Roberts, B. Wilkins, J. Dorling 27; D. French 20.
P. Best, G. Brutnell, G. Beynon, V. Williams 13; G. Yelland 23.
J. Taylor, M. Draper, B. Best, A. Redman 31; M. Sexton 8.
P. Barnikel, D. Watkins, C. Morgan, M. Crockford 25; F. Petherick 20.
WHITLAND 63
TENBY 69
The Coastal Cottages sponsored Tenby team were in R. F. Diment Cup action last week with an away trip to Whitland.
The winners of this encounter would proceed to the quarter-finals where the Five Arches were waiting having already gone through.
Reg Thake, Jon Webb, Terry Preston and skip Pat Currie were first up on rink one.
The Tenby lads all put in fine performances, especially Pat who was sporting a fine pair of non-slip brogues.
In the end, they only just lost out by one shot, in what turned out to be a very close battle.
Skip Terry Howells was involved in one of those so-called games of two halves.
His rink of Dai Spencer, Alan Redman and Peter Day were 10-4 up at 'tea-time', but in the second period they lost eight ends on the trot to lose out finally by six shots.
It was a similar story on Andrew Muskett's rink. Gerald Hewitt, Craig Guymer amd Peter Hooper all had good starts, but faded slightly in the latter stages, which ended in a seven-shot defeat.
Highlight of the night was the rink skipped by Simon Evans. This consisted of Luke Guymer, Bill Bailey and Dai Newth who blew away the opposition by an impressive 20 shots.
For Tenby to lose on three rinks and win on one, they realised that they were somewhat fortunate to win the match overall.
If Simon Evans and his rink had not performed as well as they did, Tenby would have been on their way out of the cup.
Anyway, a win is a win, and this has now set up a local derby with the Five Arches, who have had the better of Tenby once already this season.
Rink scores (Tenby first, Whitland skips only) were:
Gerald Hewitt, Craig Guymer, Peter Hooper, Andrew Muskett 12; S. Reese 19.
Luke Guymer, Bill Bailey, Dai Newth, Simon Evans 30; C. Wynn 10.
Reg Thake, Jon Webb, Terry Preston, Pat Currie 12; P. Wills 13.
Dai Spencer, Alan Redman, Peter Day, Terry Howells 15; G. Thomas 21.
BARRY PLASTICS 72
TENBY 70
The Coastal Cottages Tenby side were involved in their biggest game of the season last Saturday. This was in the second round of the Carruthers Shield away to Barry Plastics.
After a two-hour journey, the Tenby side arrived ready to pit their wits against a Barry side, who with the home advantage, fancied their chances.
Dai Spencer, Alan Redman, Peter Day and skip Terry Howells started slowly in their match. They were 16-6 in arrears after 12 ends, but they managed to score on every end with the nine that were remaining, to emerge victorious by six shots.
Simon Evans was next up with his rink of Luke Guymer, Bill Bailey and Dai Newth. The Tenby foursome never really got into the game, and were disappointingly beaten at the death by nine shots.
Gerald Hewitt, Craig Guymer, Peter Hooper and skip Andrew Muskett only scored once in the first seven ends of their match.
As always this season though, Andrew and his men dug in and fought back well to only succumb to a three-shot defeat.
Last up was captain Pat Currie and his rink of Sam McNeilly, Jon Webb and Terry Preston.
The rink got off to a good start and were always in control throughout. The winning margin at the end was four shots to Pat and his men.
Tenby just did not quite make it over the finishing line, losing out overall to a heart breaking two shots.
With what would have been a high profile revenue making home tie against Presteigne in the next round, this made the defeat even more painful to take for the Tenby lads post match.
Captain Pat though remained positive and congratulated his team on their Carruthers run as Tenby had 'knocked over' a few good teams on their way.
The journey home took a little longer as the side were a little dehydrated from their efforts, calling in at a few watering holes to replenish their thirst.
A big thank you to the supporters who turned up on the day and special thanks must go to Peter Rossi for driving the bus and putting up with our drinking and eating habits!
Rink scores (Tenby first, Barry skips only) were:
Gerald Hewitt, Craig Guymer, Peter Hooper, Andrew Muskett 15; K. Romans 18.
Luke Guymer, Bill Bailey, Dai Newth, Simon Evans 13; A. Dare 22.
Dai Spencer, Alan Redman, Peter Day, Terry Howells 22; R. Roberts 16.
Sam McNeilly, Jon Webb, Terry Preston, Pat Currie 20; D. Evans 16.
TENBY 117
CHAMELEN 88
This was the club's third friendly in five days. The pre-season fitness programme is now bearing fruit. The visitors were a mixture of clubs in the Stroud area of Gloucestershire and were made welcome by the Seasiders.
With Mary and Jim controlling things up front, Jock and Chris were put under no pressure at the back, and the rink ran out winners by six shots.
Another strong back-end partnership of Alison Redman and Roy Powling also notched up a six-shot victory, with Gladys Gray laughing and enjoying herself all through the game.
Margaret Skyrme is another who has come on leaps and bounds this year. What a game Joan Dorling had, as on occasions she made great turnover shots, with the rink winning by 13.
A strong looking foursome surprisingly went down by eight shots as Vera and Gwyn tried manfully to redress the balance, with Lon and Ted battling hard up front.
The biggest win on the green was Bert and his crew as they picked up a six on the last end to win by 12 shots, with all the rink contributing at certain times.
This was the third win in the friendly matches in succession, with everyone enjoying the bowling and the atmosphere.
Rink scores (Tenby first, Chamelen skips only):
M. Skyrme, G. Gray, A. Redman, R. Powling 23; B. Rary 17.
S. Askew, P. Best, M. Crockford, J. Dorling 26; M. Barker 13.
L. Evans, T. Brutnell, G. Beynon, V. Williams 18; T. Savill 26.
B. Russell, J. Taylor, A. Owens, B. Barnikel 28; T. Mills 16.
M. Draper, J. Taylor, J. Best, C. Morgan 22; R. Tucker 16.
GOSCAR 85 (10 pts)
BORDERERS 80 (4)
For the second time in 10 days the Borderers were the opposition for the Goscar team.
On their home turf and after a convincing win in the Brewers Cup the previous week, they went into the match confident of being able to repeat that result, this time in the league.
With a number of changes in the team and dry, but windy weather, the overall result came down to the last couple of ends.
The more experience of the Goscar lads told against the many young talented bowlers of Whitland at the end and saw them sneak home by five shots for their first league win of the season.
With 13 ends played, Harry Meads, skipping his charges of Ted Brutnell, Cyril Roberts and Gwyn Beynon found themselves losing 17-11.
They however went on to pick up 11 shots over the next three ends to lead 22-17. Over the last five ends they played solidly as a rink against their tough opponents to see out victory by two shots.
On the adjoining rink Lewis Hilling and his rink were finding that playing both the weather and some great bowling from the opposition, especially from their third and skip, too much for them.
Still from a slow start they never gave up and picking up seven shots in the last three ends saw them close the gap dramatically, but eventually lose the game by six shots.
A new front pairing of Liam McDaid and Alec Vincent, who both had strong games on rink four, gave skip Jonathan Hubbard a strong foundation on which to build.
From being level at tea, the home side only let two shots be scored against them for the remainder of the match and ran out easy winners by 16- shots.
Rink five was a very tough day for skip Graham Hill and his lads. They found the play and enthusiasm from a young Whitland rink too good for them and trailed by 13-shots with just four ends to play.
A strong finish saw them gain eight shots, but was too little too late and were defeated by seven shots.
Rink scores (Goscar first, Borderers skips only) were:
T. Brutnell, C. Roberts, G. Beynon, H. Meads 23; D. Lewis 21.
S. Askew, A. Rootes, D. King Thomas, L. Hilling 17; A. Thomas 23.
L. McDaid, A. Vincent, R. Hurlow, J. Hubbard 28; J. Hammond 12.
J. Lester, E. Dorling, T. Powling, G. Hill 17; M. Williams 24.
GOSCAR 55 (2 pts)
PEMBROKE DOCK A 85 (12)
On a Thursday evening Pembroke Dock was the destination for the team. This time to play the 'A' side.
The knowledge of home advantage accompanied with experienced bowling from a strong Dock side on a dry, but chilly night, outclassed their visitors as they won on three out of four rinks and secured overall victory a wide margin of 30-shots.
Skip Jonathan Hubbard kept up his good record for Goscar this season as he and his men scored 15 second half shots to produce a come from behind win by seven, with the whole rink bowling well as a unit.
Graham Hill had another tough night as he and his foursome couldn't keep pace with a formidable rink from the Dock.
The home side raced into a 18-4 lead, but saw the visitors pull back a number of shots including a seven in the final stages. The Dockers regained there composure after that and won by eight.
Rink four had Lewis Hilling back at skip, and with a good start he and this quartet led by one shot with eight ends played. The experience of the home team showed from then on until the end, as they won the second part of the match by 15 shots to five and won the rink by nine shots
Scoring on only six of the 21 ends was never going to be good enough for the rink lead by Harry Meads.
They found the green hard to get to grips with and there opponents even harder as they were outplayed throughout the game with 2-2 from three ends being the closest the lads of Goscar got to there awesome counterparts.
The Dock finished the encounter with a very impressive 20-shot winning margin.
Rink scores (Goscar first, Pembroke Dock A skips only) were:
T. Brutnell, C. Roberts, G. Hewitt, J. Hubbard 19; R. Hissey 12.
G. Taylor, A. Vincent, D. Watkins, G. Hill 15; A. N. Firman 23.
L. McDaid, R. Hine, D. Spencer, L. Hilling 13; D. Halward 22.
S. Askew, A. Rootes, R. Thake, H. Meads 8; M. Gillard 28.