The Coastal Cottages sponsored Tenby team were in Carruthers Shield action last Saturday away to Pembroke Dock. With Saundersfoot and Fishguard in the same group, this was a must win for either team if they had any aspirations of going further in the competition. Both sides took to the green in a torrent of heavy rain which would test the player's abilities even more than usual. Rink one consisted of Gerald Hewitt, Peter Hooper, John Moffat and captain Andrew Muskett. There was nothing between the two rinks at halfway, but with Andrew's men only winning three ends in the second half, they were edged out by the margin of five shots. Dai Spencer, Ashley Hooper, Ray Holly and skip Pat Currie had a very close game on their rink. Pat and his men established a six-shot lead at the mid- point, but a poor finish by the front end saw the Pembroke Dock boy's claw back to seal a 19-all draw. Neil Dickinson, Lee Richards, Jon Webb and skip Terry Howells had a hard day on what was said to be a slightly tricky rink. Once again the Tenby boys were still in it by the halfway stage, but unfortunately fell away towards the end to lose by eight shots. Performance of the day was by skip Peter Day against the wily Harry Hangar. Peter's rink of Doug Silcox, Bert Barnikel and Arches' captain Mike Crockford all put in sterling performances to run out impressive nine-shot winners, including a five on the last end. In the end, though, it was a bridge too far for Tenby as they lost the match overall by four shots. Captain Andrew, although disappointed, will have to rally his troops for the next Carruthers match against Fishguard tomorrow (Saturday). Rink scores (Tenby first, Pembroke Dock skips only) were: Gerald Hewitt, Peter Hooper, John Moffat, Andrew Muskett 15; R. Hissey 20. Doug Silcox, Bert Barnikel, Mike Crockford, Peter Day 27; H. Hangar 18. Neil Dickinson, Lee Richards, Jon Webb, Terry Howells 14; L. Davies 22. Dai Spencer, Ashley Hooper, Ray Holly, Pat Currie 19; R. Jones 19.

Five Arches 95 (12 pts.) Fishguard 65 (2) On a georgous sunny Sunday afternoon, with a nice crowd of spectators assembled on the clubhouse balcony and around the green, the Seasiders welcomed the seagulls from the north of the county. Still the selectors have not got the combinations right, but the makings of the team are slowly slotting into place. Star of the game was Roy Powling, who rolled back the years and gave a vintage performance at skip. On the next rink, brother Tony asked "is he walking on water?" Whatever it was, he pulled out some great shots, much to the delight of his longtime 'buddy' Gwyn Beynon at third. Ron Hurlow is now starting to show his worth at lead, while Rob Wilkins adds support in his own quiet way. Roy and his crew kept the opposition to only scoring on six ends as they cruised home by 22 shots. Making his debut in the team was young Adam Hensman, a product of the junior coaching scheme. He did not let anyone down as he gave a competent all-round performance in Dave Robb's quartet. In a tight game they came home by seven shots. In the last end before tea, Mike and his rink picked up a five, and then calamity, immediately dropped a five upon resumption. The rink won by 10 shots, but no one could claim to not having played better before. After nine ends, Dai King Thomas and his men were 18 shots adrift and the game was slipping away from the home side, but they dug in and rallied, to eventually go down by nine shots. Newcomer Tony Brown certainly came good in the second half. It's early days, but the Arches are winning while not playing well as a team. When this does happen, they will be a force to be reckoned with. The Arches are sponsored by Stena Line - ironically sailing out of Fishguard! Match sponsors, meanwhile, were Kenny and Anita Williams, of Seascape, Tenby. Rink scores (Five Arches first, Fishguard skips only): D. Rees, T. Brown, G. Hill, D. King Thomas 14; T. Jones 23. S. Askew, J. Hubbard, T. Powling, M. Crockford 25; D. Hughes 15. T. Brutnell, A. Hensman, T. Shaw, D. Robb 21; M. Power 14. R. Hurlow, R. Wilkins, G. Beynon, R. Powling 35; K. Grace 13. Sponsorship

Stena Line are now in their eighth year of sponship of the Five Arches team. This is the longest run of support for any of the club's teams by any company. During this period of time, it has enabled the team to purchase shirts with the distinct Stena Line logo, jumpers, and the company have even supplied caps. Also helping on the kit sponsorship side is local businessman Jimmy Thomas, proprietor of the Welsh Gift Shop in the town. Jim has been a great benefactor to the club over the years and his involvement is greatly appreciated. All the designs for the kit are done by Tees R Us, whose owner, Richard Lewis, is another who helps out with generous discounts. The Five Arches team is most grateful to its sponsors.

Whist RESULTS

Saturday: Top - Gill Groom first gent - Pauline Barnikel; second gent - Bill Whittaker; first lady - Gladys Irvine; second lady - Muriel Griffiths; first half - Mabel Whittaker; second half - Mair Marquiss; longest sitter - Bert Barnikel; raffle - Bill Whittaker and Bert Barnikel. Monday: top - Gladys Cleaton; first gent - Gladys Irvine; second gent - Elsie Breadnam; first lady - Mabel Whittaker; second lady - Muriel Griffiths - first half - Joan Dorling; second half - Bill Whittaker; longest sitter - Gerry Meaney; raffle - Bill Whittaker and Jill Groom. Junior Coaching

This takes place on a Thursday and has certainly proved a hit. Along with the new bowlers who joined at the beginning of the season we now have nine youngsters, who, after hearing about the Thursday evenings, come along, making a total of 18 regulars attending. Thursday saw the start of the schools coaching programme when pupils of St. Teilo's started their four-week course. Congratulations

Congratulations to Tenby captain Andrew Muskett who has been selected for a Welsh trial at the end of the month and attended a coaching session at Llandrindod Wells last weekend. Andrew is so passionate about the game and has been performing at the top of his game over the past few seasons. We wish him well and hope he joins the list of bowlers who have played for Wales. Good Wishes

All members of the club join in wishing Terry Howells a speedy recovery from his operation this week. Terry will be sidelined for the rest of the season, but you can rest assured once he is up and about he will be supporting both teams from the touchline.

BONUS BALL

Bonus ball winners this week were Meryl Cook and Reg Thake. Pembroke Dock in the rain

Leaving Tenby last Saturday in good weather, halfway to the Dock it started to rain, and immediately caused problems. Pat Currie had no wetsuit, but luckily Jimmy Williams went home to loan him his; Dai Spencer had to call on Bert Barnikel to borrow his second set. When it stopped at half-time, one of the Tenby bowlers, when taking his wetsuit trousers off, pulled his flannels down as well! The ladies were also playing at the time and we are sure we heard two of them squealing 'Take 'em off!" How unladylike.