Tenby 136 Dunstable Town BC 85

Our tourists last week were the Dunstable Town Bowling Club who are celebrating their centenary this year. They were very experienced tourists who were eager to play on our renowned green, having missed out the last time they visited the county of Pembroke. They achieved their aim last Saturday, which coincided with a glorious summers day.  Their captain Paul Bridgen commented on the very friendly reception from all the clubs they visited, especially  the Tenby club. They were all astounded at the quality of our bowling surface. On rink one Ben Cloake, Adam Hensman, Lil Howells and Bert Barnikel  won 24-11 against R.Forder. Finding the line, as usual, was the key to beating this very tricky rink. The running score after nine ends was 6-6. Tea and biscuits perked up the home side who coasted to a 13-shot win. Rink two saw Harry Ebdon, Jonathan Hubbard, Doris Brown and Gwyn Beynon go down 11-21 to B. Hopkins. Gwyn's quartet were up against very  tough opponents, but managed to keep the score to singles most of the time. Vi Roberts, Brian Winstone, Margaret Skyrme and Tony Brown (captain) chalked up a 17-11 win over P. Bridgen.   Captain Tony and co were involved in another battle royal, peeling off for tea with the score locked at seven-all. Tony doubted the wisdom of having a tea break as his opponents eased ahead, then the biscuits kicked in on the 15th end as they scored continuously right to the end, chalking up a very satisfying win. Rachel Hensman, Mary Draper, Neil Hensman and Mike Gouldingay finished 22-18 ahead of H. Bryant. Here the home advantage paid off handsomely early in the game. Half-time score was an healthy 17-4 to the Tenby rink. Fortified with strong tea and overcoming the trick lines to the jack, the visiting quartet, soon made inroads into the score difference, but left it too late as Mike's team squeezed home by four shots. On rink five, Bill Best, David Rees, Jim Taylor and Ken Lloyd  cruised to a 36-6 win over P. Pratt. Skip Ken Lloyd commanding the top rink of the day, was full of praise for his front end bowlers. He acknowledged that Bill Best, David Rees and Jim Taylor certainly  turned on the style. An opening six count set the tone followed by a barrage of uncanny bowls, allowing the visitors to score only six singles. I do not think that they thought that this was a friendly fixture! Harry Meades, Ginnie Beeken, Cyril Roberts and Rene Silcox were on rink six and they won 26-18 against J.Mansfield. The notorious rink six is very difficult to fathom out, but no one told  Rene's opponents! They soon rattled up a healthy lead scoring a six on the fifth end. I do not know who was the most shocked, but they then went to sleep until the 13th end allowing the home rink to surge passed their early promise to rack up an handsome eight-shot victory.

Bowls coaching for beginners

Tenby Bowling Club has allocated Thursday evening each week as 'Coaching for Beginners'. All ages are invited, especially the juniors. Commencing at 6 pm each Thursday evening. We supply all the bowling equipment and our official Welsh coaching staff are very willing to instruct newcomers in the ancient art of lawn green bowling. The present success of our club draws heavily on the youngsters we developed over many years who have  now blossomed into high class bowlers as our records prove. Our current crop of youngsters are making their mark already and we fully expect the new members starting in this new intake to figure in Tenby's future success.  Bowling is an innocent, but skillful game, which gives great satisfaction to the bowlers as they see their own skills emerging. The younger you are the quicker this happens, believe me.  Our club's policy of three free lessons is still open to members of our community at times to suit themselves.

Bonus Ball winners

Doris and Tony Brown, Jayne Merrony.   Whist Drive

Results, Thursday, May 29: top score - Joyce Waters (184); 1st lady - Phyllis Jones (180); 2nd lady - Jean Salisbury (176); 1st gent - Bert Barnikel (173); 2nd gent - Jill Groom (160); first half winner - Mary Renowden (91); second half winner - Vera Burrows (84); longest sitter - Olive Frost (nine); lowest score - Pauline Barnikel; raffles - Mary Draper, Mary Renowden and Bert Barnikel       . Monday, June 2: top score - Joyce Waters (179); 1st lady -Mabel Whitaker (175); 2nd lady - Olive Frost (170); 1st gent - Elsie Breadnam (174); 2nd gent - Ginnie Beeken (165); first half winner - Muriel Griffiths (92); second half winner - Mair Marquiss  (82); longest sitter - Mary Renowden (eight times); lowest score - Bill Whitaker; raffles - Phyllis Jones and Mabel Whitaker.             Tenby Bowling Club whist drives are held twice weekly, Monday and Thursday, 7 pm sharp. New members and visitors are always welcome. 

B.B.