Tenby 103 (14 pts.) Pembroke Dock 62 (0)
The Layton & Co Solicitors sponsored Tenby team were back in league action against Pembroke Dock last Wednesday. This was a rearranged game due to the team's progression in the Carruthers, so on a rather cool evening the teams took to the green ready for battle. On rink one were Gerald Hewitt, Doug Silcox, John Roberts and Peter Day. This was the game of the night, with the lead changing nearly every end. Four down with two ends remaining, Peter and his men somehow managed to turn it around, picking up a two and a three to clinch the match by one shot. Dai Spencer, Bert Barnikel, Craig Guymer and Paul Diment were in scintillating form on their rink. The Tenby four raced into an early lead and maintained it throughout, eventually running out 18-shot winners. Luke Rees, John Baggott, Simon Evans and Pat Currie dominated from the start in their contest. With young Luke impressive on his first team debut, the Tenby foursome were always in the ascendancy and closed the match out with a 17-shot victory. Rink four witnessed another tight encounter, with Terry Howells, Joseph Richards, Jon Webb and Andrew Muskett. Level after 19 ends, the Tenby four kept their nerve to pick up a one and a four to clinch the game by five shots. Tenby still remain unbeaten in the league and a winning margin of 41 shots and another maximum 14 points puts them ever nearer the league title. Rink scores (Tenby first, Pembroke Dock skips only): Luke Rees, John Baggott, Simon Evans, Pat Currie 28; R. Jones 11. Gerald Hewitt, Doug Silcox, John Roberts, Peter Day 24; L. Davies 23. Dai Spencer, Bert Barnikel, Craig Guymer, Paul Diment 32; E. Sturley 14. Terry Howells, Joseph Richards, Jon Webb, Andrew Muskett 19; B. Dowling 14.
Pembroke Dock Mariners 63 (0 pts.) Tenby 109 (14)
The Layton & Co Solicitors sponsored Tenby team were on their travels last Saturday in league action against the Pembroke Dock Mariners. After victory over the Pembroke Dock first team mid-week, the confidence in the Tenby squad was very high and they arrived in what was a very relaxed attitude. Rink one consisted of Gerald Hewitt, Doug Silcox, Craig Guymer and Peter Day. Close all the way in this contest, but Peter and his men just had enough ammunition to finish up six-shot winners. Terry Howells, Jo Richards, Andrew Muskett and skip Phil Carpenter were in dominant form on their rink. Cruising into an 18-1 lead, Phil and his men never took their foot off the pedal, running out impressive 26-shot winners. Luke Guymer, John Baggott, Simon Evans and Pat Currie were once again in top form. Taking the lead at the outset, Pat drove his men over the line by an impressive margin of 12 shots. Dai Spencer, Bert Barnikel, Jon Webb and Paul Diment were involved in an extraordinary contest on their rink. Racing into a 15-5 lead, suddenly the Tenby men dropped a six, counts started to mount up for both rinks, but Paul, 'the Kevin Keegan' of bowls, managed to steer his men to an incredible 30-28 shot victory This was the halfway point of the season and a 46- shot win and 14 points meant that Tenby have only dropped three points in this period. Tomorrow (Saturday) sees another massive game, with Tenby travelling to Machynlleth in the Carruthers Shield. Rink scores (Tenby first, Pembroke Dock Mariners skips only): Luke Guymer, John Baggott, Simon Evans, Pat Currie 22; G. Bann 10. Gerald Hewitt, Doug Silcox, Craig Guymer, Peter Day 21; N. Firman 15. Dai Spencer, Bert Barnikel, Jon Webb, Paul Diment 30; G. Thomas 28. Terry Howells, Joseph Richards, Andrew Muskett, Phil Carpenter 36; D. Halward 10.
ST. THOMAS 73 (4 pts) FIVE ARCHES 83 (10)
Last week, Five Arches travelled to St. Thomas for their long-awaited division two game, the match having been postponed twice due to bad weather. It turned out to be a very close game, with only 10 shots in it at the end. In fact, at the interval, St. Thomas were 14 shots in front, but afterwards Five Arches turned the game round. Rink three saw Ron Hurlow, back after a short absence, up front with young Cameron White, who came in last minute and bowled very well indeed, while Mike Gouldingay and Tony Brown were at the back end. At the interval they were eight shots down and things stayed much the same in the second half as they eventually went down by seven. Rink four saw David Rees and Jonathan Hubbard up front, with Neil Hensman and Graham Hill at the back end. At the interval, the Arches were seven shots down and again it remained much the same in the second half as they could not peg them back and in the end finished nine in arrears. Rink five saw a front pairing of Jim Taylor and Brian Winstone, who came in for the first time, with Ashley Hooper and Ray Holly at the back end. This rink also had a slow start, being seven shots down at the interval, but after tea they changed the game around, with 15 shots in three ends, and went on to win by a margin of eight. Rink six saw Ken Lloyd and Adam Hensman up front, with Gwyn Beynon and Roy Powling at the back end. This rink changed the match round completely. At the interval they were nine shots to the good and in the second half went on to increase their shots difference to a healthy 18, to not only seal the match, but also finish up winning the sweep. After the game, Roy Powling announced that, due to ill health, he would not be bowling for the remainder of the season. On behalf of all the Five Arches team, the captain would like to wish him a speedy recovery. Rink scores (Five Arches first) were as follows: R. Hurlow, C. White, M. Gouldingay, T. Brown 11; St. Thomas 18. D. Rees, J. Hubbard, N. Hensman, G. Hill 14; St. Thomas 23. J. Taylor, B. Winstone, A. Hooper, R. Holly 25; St. Thomas 17. K. Lloyd, A. Hensman, G. Beynon, R. Powling 33; St. Thomas 15.
FIVE ARCHES 85 (2 pts) FISHGUARD 88 (12)
Last Saturday, Fishguard and Goodwick visited the Tenby green to play the Five Arches in a top-of- the-table battle, with the leadership of division two hinging on the outcome. It was touch and go all the way through the game, with Fishguard eventually coming out on top by three shots and also ending up with three winning rinks, to claim 12 of the 14 points on offer. Rink two saw Stuart Askew and Jonathan Hubbard up front. Both had good games and were well supported at the back by Mike Gouldingay and Alex Watt, playing at skip for the first time this season. At the interval they were eight in front and in the second half managed to hold on to seven-shot margin to be the only successful rink, winning the sweep as well. Rink three saw Ron Hurlow and Rob Wilkins up front, with Ashley Hooper and Ray Holly in support at the rear. This was a very close fought game. At the interval, the Arches were a shot in front, but in the second half, Fishguard put the pressure on to earn a six-shot victory. Rink four saw Ken Lloyd and young Luke Rees up front, well supported by Gwyn Beynon and Tony Brown. The Arches got off to a very slow start, being seven shots down at the interval, but they pulled back in the second half to go down in the end by only two. Rink five saw David Rees and Neil Hensman up front, with Graham Hill and John Moffat in support at the back. This was a very close game all the way. At the interval, the Arches were six shots down, but in the second half again pulled back to end up just two adrift. Rink scores (Five Arches first, Fishguard skips only): S. Askew, J. Hubbard, M. Gouldingay, A. Watt 26; R. Thomas 19. R. Hurlow, R. Wilkins, A. Hooper, R. Holly 19; T. Jones 25. K. Lloyd, L. Rees, G. Beynon, T. Brown 17; D. Hughes 19. D. Rees, N. Hensman, G. Hill, J. Moffat 23; T. Evans 25. Many thanks to Five Arches' sponsors - Stena Line, Welsh Shop, Tees-R-Us, Millfield Consulting.
PENDINE 13 GOSCAR 22
The Goscar team had a good win at Pendine last Saturday. Pendine fielded a strong team on their own green. However, the Goscar players raised their game and came out comfortable winners. Up front, Ray Hine and Brian Winstone laid a good foundation for junior Ben Simmons and one of our most senior players, Cyril Roberts, playing skip. All the players bowled well, and it was a good team performance.
ST. MARY'S 12 NEYLAND BRUNEL 20
The St. Mary's team came upon strong opposition in the form of Neyland Brunel. The team of Arron Lloyd, Harry Meads, Ben Cloake and skip Neil Hensman put up a strong fight, only losing out on the last few ends. Once again the juniors played well, ably assisted by Harry and Neil.
Whist results
Thursday, June 26: top score - Mary Renowden (185); 1st lady - Muriel Griffiths (177); 2nd lady - Ginnie Beeken (169); 1st gent - Jill Groom (176); 2nd gent - Bert Barnikel (172); first half winner - Gladys Irvine (93); second half - Mair Marquiss (83); longest sitter - Olive Frost (seven times); lowest score - Elsie Breadnam; raffles - Mary Renowden and Mabel Whitaker. Monday, June 30 - top score -Frank Buckley (182); 1st lady -Ginnie Beeken (174); 2nd lady - Margaret Harries (also 174 after cutting the cards); 1st gent - Bill Whitaker (172); 2nd gent - Joyce Waters (171); first half winner - Mary Renowden (96); second half - Olive Frost (84); longest sitter - Vera Burrows (six times); lowest score - Heather Buckley; raffles - Heather Buckley and Bill Whitaker. Bowling Club whist drives are held twice weekly, Monday and Thursday, at 7 pm sharp.
Bonus ball winners
Wednesday, June 25 - Gladys Cleaton; Saturday, June 28 - Liz Grafton. Sad news
Gwenith James, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday, has passed away, but her memory will not fade in the Tenby Bowling Club. Gwenith and her husband Charles initiated ladies bowling here in Tenby in 1961 and it is celebrated every July with an anniversary game, Tenby lady bowlers versus an invited Pembroke county lady bowlers team. Gwenith and all of the very senior lady bowlers have been regular honoured guests, enjoying the spectacle and the tea in very friendly company. Although Gwenith gave up playing bowls many years ago, she was never very far from our green, being a regular whist player in the club for many years.
Carruthers clash
Tomorrow (Saturday), the very classy Tenby team play the next, very important, round of the Carruthers Shield, away at Machynlleth. Should they succeed, the next two rounds will be here in Tenby. Our team is very optimistic and seriously hope to progress to the semi-finals and final which are played at Llandrindod Wells BC. The travelling 'fan club' will be urging them on to greater things.
Men's County Finals Tomorrow's finals of the county competitions have been put back a week to July 12/13 to accommodate the Carruthers competition which clashes.
Tenby's Open Tournament 2008
Rapidly approaching is the highlight of the Tenby bowling season, when many skilful bowlers from many parts of the UK launch their challenge for the prestigious Tenby Challenge Gold Cup and the equally sought after Percy Howells Silver Bowl. Last year's winner of both trophies, Paul Diment, will be defending his position as holder, but there will be many class bowlers trying to unseat him. Last year's final of the Gold Cup was one of the finest exhibitions of bowling ever seen on our green, with the outcome in doubt right up to the last bowl. All is not lost for those who stumble out of both trophies by the Wednesday of our open week; they can enter the consolation Five Arches Bowl which was introduced in 1950. This final has also had its share of epic struggles, even putting the main trophy finals in the shade. Heroic stuff. Lynn Delabertouche and her crew will be doing the draw in mid-July. Lynn is proud of the fact that entries for both trophies were submitted in record time, proving how popular our open week still is since its inception in 1924.