SEason preview
There's an air of excitement and expectation around Sutton Street as Tenby Bowling Club look to build on the successes of 2009.
Men's and women's county champions, SA Brain Cup winners, Pembrokeshire Sports Team of the Year and - of course - the holders of the magnificent Carruthers Shield for the first time in the club's 87-year history, the club enter the new season determined not to rest on their laurels.
New men's captain Paul Diment takes over a team that knows it will be the one to beat for opponents from all over Wales this season.
The credentials of Tenby - sponsored once again by Layton and Co and with the added support this year of Chandler and Rogers - will be tested from the start.
The opening league games pit them against Saundersfoot and Haverfordwest, the two teams most likely to challenge for the title, while the defence of the Carruthers Shield begins with a challenging derby tie at home to Saundersfoot on Saturday, May 8 - a must-win fixture for both sides.
The women, under the captaincy once more of the indefatigable Lynn Delabertouche, begin their defence of the county title with a home match against Pembroke Dock Park on Wednesday, April 21, and are pleased to welcome the Fourcroft Hotel on board for the first time as team sponsors.
The Welsh Shop and Stena Line supported Five Arches, led by Ashley Hooper, will be looking to challenge for their league title, as well as retaining the SA Brain Cup they won at Pembroke Dock last summer, and Ray Hine's Goscar team are hoping to have a successful season as they return after a truncated campaign last year.
Make a date in your diary, too, for Gold Cup Week, supported by Carlsberg Tetley and South Hook LNG, which runs from Sunday, August 1 -Saturday, August 7, which always brings the top bowlers from all over South Wales and beyond to the magnificent Sutton Street green.
Budding young players are also looked after, with the popular Folly Farm school coaching sessions taking place throughout June and July, and with the Rossiters Cup and Chevron Pairs Trophy bringing the season to an end in September, the summer months look certain to bring top class action on the green, and unrivalled hospitality off it.
Tenby 91
Five Arches 58
There was a very disappointing showing from the Tenby players (writes E.M.). Only nine first team players showed interest in playing. I hope this is not the trend for the forthcoming season.
Two of the Tenby players reached the final of the Welsh indoor fours. John Roberts and Mike Jackson, partnered by Chris Bronham and Alan Whitehouse, losing narrowly by one shot to J. Tomlinson's very strong Iswlyn side. The club would like to congratulate the two Tenby players.
Rink scores (Tenby first) were:
C. White, L. Delabertouche, L. Rees, J. Webb 31; B. Simmonds, T. Powling, A. Hooper, C. Webb 10.
E. Maher, D. Spencer, P. Currie 29; K. Williams, M. Goldingay, T. Brown 8.
H. Ebdon, H. Meads, N. Dickinson, J. Baggott 14; J. Taylor, B. Winstone, J. Hubbard, G. Beynon 22.
S. Askew, D. Silcox, G. Hewitt, P. Day 17; D. Rees, T. Brutnell, K. Lloyd, L. Richards 18.
Tomorrow (Saturday), there is a friendly match against a strong Kidwelly side, 2 pm start.
Five Arches 109 Pembroke Dock Pater 61
After the intense rivalry of Saturday's game against Tenby, another fine spring day greeted the arrival of the Pembroke Dock Pater team for a longstanding friendly fixture (writes A. H.).
The match is always played in good spirit and Sunday's game was no exception.
The green was in superb condition, ensuring a wonderful playing surface.
Lee Richard's rink of Ken Lloyd, Ken Williams and John Hubbard quickly mastered the trickery of rink three. After a tight first half, the tea and biscuits provided the necessary lift for the team to pull away and finish comfortable winners by 29 shots to 17.
On rink four, new skip Clive Webb quickly found his feet and with fine support from Eamonn, Jim and Mike, only conceded on seven of the 21 ends to run out eventual winners by 26 shots to nine.
Rink five provided the closest match, Tony's rink of Ben, Stuart and Ashley failing to score in the first eight ends and finding themselves 13 shots to one down after nine ends. A spirited comeback after tea fell just short, with the Pater rink easing to a 20 shots to 17 victory.
The rarely used rink six proved a good hunting ground for Gwyn's rink of Dai, Harry and Tony. Picking up a seven on the first end, they never looked back and finished with a comprehensive victory of 37 shots to 15.
Overall an excellent result for the Five Arches team and with a couple more weeks to go until their first league game, this result shows they are well on the way to mounting a serious challenge for this year's Division Two championship race.
Rink scores (Five Arches first, Pater skips only):
Ken Lloyd, Ken Williams, John Hubbard, Lee Richards 29; Bob Duncombe 17.
Eamonn Maher, Jim Taylor, Mike Gouldingay, Clive Webb 26; Steve James 9.
Stuart Askew, Ben Simmons, Ashley Hooper, Tony Brown 17; John Russell 20.
Dave Rees, Harry Ebdon, Tony Powling, Gwyn Beynon 37; Steve Davies 15.
Whist
Thursday, April 8: top score - Gladys Irvine, 173; 1st lady - Jean Salisbury, 167; 2nd lady - Pauline Barnikel, 166; 1st gent - Vi Roberts, 171; 2nd gent - Elsie Breadnam, 170; first half winner - Bert Barnikel, 86 ( after cutting the cards); second half winner - Mair Marquiss, 85; longest sitter - Mary Draper, five; lowest score - Margaret Hill; raffles - Mary Draper and Ginnie Beeken.
Monday, April 12: top score - Margaret Hill, 173; 1st lady - Mary Renowden, 171 (cutting the cards again); 2nd lady - Pauline Barnikel, 171; 1st gent - Elsie Breadnam, 167; 2nd gent - Vi Roberts, 159; first half winner - Sandra Milward, 90; second half winner - Ginnie Beeken, 90; longest sitter, Olive Frost, seven; lowest score - Mary Draper; raffles - Gladys Irvine and Bert Barnikel.
Bowling Club whist is held twice weekly, on Monday and Thursday, commencing at 7 pm. New members and visitors are always welcome.
Club opening
Saundersfoot Bowling Club officially opened for its 2010 season on Saturday.
And in glorious conditions, a large gathering of members and friends assembled at the club to see Clr. Clifton John, chairman of Saundersfoot Community Council, roll the first wood.
Clr. John said he was delighted to be invited to open the green and wished the club well for the season.
Chairman Paul Blayney thanked everyone who had helped with fund-raising events during the close season and those who had been involved in getting the club ready for the season, while president John Evans wished everyone a successful season's bowling and thanked the chairman for all his hard-work.
Clr. John admitted he had been brushing up on his bowling skills at a recent indoor Rotary event at Heatherton IBC and it paid off as he almost had a toucher with the opening bowl!
Members then took to the green and enjoyed a 10-end friendly match, before retiring inside to watch the Grand National.
All in all, it was a happy and enjoyable afternoon - one of many no doubt that the new season will bring.
Fund-raising supper
Tonight (Friday) is the fund-raising sausage, mash and onion gravy supper from 7 pm onwards.
Club handbook
The new club handbook has been produced once again this year thanks to sponsorship from local businesses and hard-working members, club treasurer George and Mary Cavell and Stewart Howe, fixture secretary.
The handbook proves a vital source of information for all members for the season ahead and the club is grateful to the following businesses for placing an advertisement within it: Spar, Merlewood Hotel, Clive Thomas, Saundersfoot, Village Wine Shop, Tees R Us, The Mulberry, Saundersfoot Pharmacy, Bronwen's, Old Chemist Inn and Dilligafs Cellar Bar, Silver Strand Jewellers and Tearoom, Clean Tech, Shrublands Caravan Park, Frosts Home Hardware, New Image, Swallowtree Gardens, Heywood's of Saundersfoot, Chobbles, Templeton Beer Wine and Spirit Co, Rees and Hayden, Cleddau Press, Blooms and Beverages, Messrs. W. and M. J. Rossiter and Sons Ltd., The Shoe Box, Saundersfoot Sports and Social Club.
First friendly
Saundersfoot's first friendly takes place on Sunday when members entertain friends from Kidwelly with a 2 pm start.
Good luck
Although the outdoor season has now begun, two members have big games indoor this weekend.
Joyce Howe is representing Heatherton IBC in the WIBA's champion of champions event at Boddelwyddan Castle, while Joe Dennis has an Under 18s Welsh trial. Good luck both.
Committee meeting
April's monthly management committee meeting takes place next Tuesday at 6 pm.
Best wishes
All the members send their best wishes to club treasurer George Cavell who has been in hospital this week.