Tenby 112 (14 pts) Castle 42 (0)

Haverfordwest second team Castle were the visitors to Tenby green last Saturday. The Layton & Co Solicitors sponsored Tenby team still top of the table by six points needed another good performance to maintain their fine run. Rink one consisted of Gerald Hewitt, Doug Silcox, John Roberts and Peter Day. This steady rink once again were untouchable and a comfortable 18-shot victory was the end result. A different game was played out on rink two. Luke Guymer, Bert Barnikel, John Baggott and Pat Currie raced into a 13-0 lead, but the Castle four clawed themselves back to be within a shot by the 16th end. Ice cool Pat kept his head, though, just easing out the opposition by six shots, ably supported by 'Bert' Baggott. Next up were Terry Howells, Joe Richards, Andrew Muskett and Phil Carpenter. Honours were even at half-time, but with good bowling from Phil and his men they dominated the second period and ran out 15-shot winners. Dai Spencer, Jon Webb, Craig Guymer and Paul Diment were once again drawn on the rink four. Paul and his men were untouchable in their contest, blowing away the opposition by an incredible 31 shots. A winning total of 70 shots and again the maximum 14 points was the final match outcome. So Tenby continue their relentless march towards the title and the captain was more than happy with the team's performance. Tomorrow (Saturday) sees Tenby in Carruthers Shield action with a big match away to Cam Gears from the Resolven area. Rink scores (Tenby first, Castle skips only): Luke Guymer, Bert Barnikel, John Baggott, Pat Currie 21; M. Hughes 15 Gerald Hewitt, Doug Silcox, John Roberts, Peter Day 25; D. Summers 7. Dai Spencer, Jon Webb, Craig Guymer, Paul Diment 38; M. Codd 7. Terry Howells, Joseph Richards, Andrew Muskett, Phil Carpenter 28; D. Pollock 13.

borderers 76 (8pts) FIVE ARCHES 72 (6)

On Wednesday, June 4, Five Arches travelled to play the Borderers of Whitland in their first game of three for the new Brain Cup, which replaces the old Brewers Cup. This is played in a different format, with two groups of three teams, with the winner of each group playing in the final on the county green, which this year is Saundersfoot. It was a very close game all the way through, with the score changing all the time. At the interval, the Borderers were seven shots in front and they kept up the pressure in the second half to win by four overall. After the game, captain Mike stated it was not a bad result coming away from Whitland with six points and going down by just four shots.

five arches 96 (14pts) ST. KATHERINES 57 (0)

On Wednesday, June 11, Five Arches played host to St. Katherines in the S. A. Brain Cup on a rather damp evening. In the first half of the game, the wet green caused all sorts of problems, with players having trouble finding their weight. Consequently, at the interval, it was very close across the board, with Five Arches being just four shots in front. But in the second half, the sun came out and the green became faster, which was in Five Arches favour, and there was no stopping them after that, with all rinks going on to win and by a total of 39 shots. Rink two saw Kenny Williams and Jonathan Hubbard up front, with Gerald Hewitt coming in as third and Mike Gouldingay as skip. After getting off to a slow start, with the Arches being two shots down at the interval, they came back in the second half to go on and win by a margin of six. Rink three saw Ken Lloyd and Luke Rees up front, who were both on form, and Gwyn Beynon and Tony Brown at the back end. At the interval they were four shots up and this was still the difference at the finish. Rink four saw Jim Taylor and Rob Wilkins up front, with Ashley Hooper and Ray Holly at the back end. This was also a very tight game in the first half, with Five Arches hanging on to a one shot lead. But once again in the second half, the Arches put on the pressure and went on to win by 12 shots. Rink five saw David Rees with Neil Hensman up front and Graham Hill and John Moffat at the back end. This was also a similar story, with the Five Arches being one shot up at the interval, but they really put on the pressure by picking up six shots in the last two ends and went on to win by 15 - and also won the sweep again for the highest win. After the game, captain Mike thanked all the players for their effort and support in what turned out to be a very close and interesting game. Rink scores (Five Arches first, St. Katherines skips only): K. Williams, J. Hubbard, G. Hewitt, M. Gouldingay 22; J. Lewis 16. K. Lloyd, L. Rees, G. Beynon, T. Brown 20; D. Hastings 14. J. Taylor, R. Wilkins, A. Hooper, R. Holly 28; J. John 16. D. Rees, N. Hensman, G. Hill, J. Moffat 26; M. Lloyd 11.

st. katherines 65 (2pts) five arches 94 (12)

Last Saturday, Five Arches travelled to St. Katherines hoping to carry on where they left off on Wednesday on what turned out to be a very sunny afternoon, with the green also running very well indeed. Early on, this also looked like being a very tight game, with the Arches being just one shot in front at the interval, with two rinks up and two rinks down. So in the second half it was everything to play for. Rink two saw Stuart Askew and Jonathan Hubbard up front, both in good form, with Alex Watt coming back in the side as third, who had a fantastic game, and Mike Gouldingay as skip. At the interval they were four shots down and to make things worse on the 12th end dropped a seven, but after that they put the pressure on and stopped St. Katherines from picking up any more shots and went on to win by five. Rink three saw Ken Lloyd and Luke Rees up front, with Gwyn Beynon and Tony Brown at the back end. With all the players on top form, there was no stopping them in what proved a one horse race. At the interval they were eight shots in front and in the second half continued to pile on the pressure as they went on to win by 17 shots, and also won the sweep for the top rink. Rink four saw Jim Taylor and Rob Wilkins up front, with Ashley Hooper and Ray Holly at the back end. This rink got off to a very slow start and were nine shots down at the interval. In the second half, the gap remained the same until the last end when Five Arches picked up a count of seven, but it was not quite enough. Rink five saw David Rees and Neil Hensman up front, with Graham Hill and John Moffat at the back end. At the interval, the Five Arches were six shots in front and went on to extend that to eight at the finish. After the game, captain Mike thanked all his players for a fantastic performance, knowing at the interval it could have gone either way. Rink scores (Five Arches first, St. Katherines skips only): S. Askew, J. Hubbard, A. Watt, M. Gouldingay 25; D. Mathias 18. K. Lloyd, L. Rees, G. Beynon, T. Brown 25; P. Harries 8. J. Taylor, R. Wilkins, A. Hooper, R. Holly 19; J. John 22. D. Rees, N. Hensman, G. Hill, J. Moffat 25; M. Lloyd 17.

Tenby 110 Imperial Tourists 111

The Tenby bowlers, led by captain Tony Brown, entertained a very sporting group of tourists from the Bristol area. They were originally part of the social activities of the Imperial Tobacco company, but tobacco is a no-no word these days.  Result of the match was in doubt right up to the last bowl. When the calculations were sweated over and the final total arrived at by whiz kid/selector cum secretary, cum scorer, Doris Brown, our visitors had pipped us to the post by an absolute minimum of one shot. That was icing on the cake of a very successful tour. Rink scores (Tenby first, visiting skips only): V. Roberts, B. Winston, A. Owens, G. Beynon 22; T. Haskins 12. H. Ebdon, H. Meades, P. Barnikel, M. Gouldingay 15; J. Hawkins 25. C. Lloyd, J. Hubbard, D. Brown, T. Brown 16; N. Bryant 20. J. Taylor, C. Roberts, G. Hill, V. Williams 19; R.Whitnell 15. K. Williams, D. Rees, K. Lloyd, M. Marquiss 23; L. Challenger 18. M. Draper, R. Hine, J. Baggott, B. Barnikel 15; A. Skuse 21.  Their captain, Mike Bryant (no relation), admitted they were regular tourists, this being a return visit. The friendly reception at all the Pembrokeshire clubs was warm to say the least. He admitted that they were extra keen to play at Tenby, this time around, as they had missed out before. It will not be long before they pass this way again, such was the enthusiasm of all the players.

Carruthers glory?

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the vibrant Tenby bowling team travel to Resolven, near Neath, for the first round proper of the Welsh inter-club Carruthers Shield. Hosts  will be Cam Gears BC, formed in 1950, who are looking forward to our visit. Accompanying the team will be the usual 'fan club' to cheer on the Tenby boys. It should be a good day out.

Bonus Ball

Winners last week were Mary Draper and Evan Day.

Junior School Bowls Coaching

It was great to see the 'crocodile' of eager nine and 10-year-olds arriving at Tenby's famous bowling green, which was officially opened on June 13, 1923.     After president Bert Barnikel warmly welcomed them for the first 'taster' session of 2008, John Baggott and his Welsh coaches enjoyed the enthusiasm shown by the youngsters and their teachers, who also joined in the fun. As usual, it was obvious that there were several naturally talented learners, who if they persisted would, in no time, become an asset in any club. It is surprising how quickly many of them picked up the basic skill and show progress, even after just a short instructional lesson. Very encouraging. Even the teachers were pleased with the general friendly ambience. All are now keen to attend the next lesson.  John Baggott's aide Doug Silcox has also drawn up the Thursday evening rota for the club coaches, who will cover the Thursday evening coaching lessons at 6 pm (check noticeboard). These are open to juniors and anyone else interested in taking up this very skilful and enjoyable sport of lawn- green bowling.

Whist results

Thursday, June 12: top score - Gladys Irvine 181; 1st lady - Mary Renowden, 172; 2nd lady - Mair Marquiss, 171; 1st gent - Joyce Waters, 171; 2nd gent - Pauline Barnikel, 163; first half winner - Jill Groom 91; second half winner - Jean Salisbury, 87; longest sitter - Ginnie Beeken, seven times; lowest score - Phyllis Jones; raffle winners - Phyllis Jones and Pauline Barnikel. Monday, June 16: top score - Jean Salisbury, 178; 1st lady -Olive Frost, 176; 2nd lady - Ginnie Beeken, 167; 1st gent - Gladys Irvine, 171; 2nd gent - Heather Buckley, 166; first half winner - Margaret Harries, 97; second half winner - Pauline Barnikel, 83; longest sitter - Elsie Breadnam, nine times; lowest score - Vera Burrows; raffle winners - Jill Groom and Ginnie Beeken. Tenby Bowling Club's whist drives are held twice weekly in Sutton Street, Mondays and Thursdays. New members and visitors are always welcome.