Welsh Club Championship - Carruthers Shield
Tenby 98 Saundersfoot 56 (Tenby 2 pts.)
After two league matches, the Tenby side started their campaign to retain the Welsh Club Championship (Carruthers Shield).
Sponsored by Layton and Company Solicitors and Chandler Rogers Estate Agents, Tenby won by 42 shots and took two points.
Saundersfoot were missing a number of players, but took the game to the Welsh champions and it appeared they were out for revenge for their league defeat at Tenby only two weeks before.
At five ends, the scores were level, but then the champions held a nine-shot lead after 10 ends and increased their lead to 34 at 15 ends. Tenby maintained the 34-shot lead at 18 ends, going on to finish with a comprehensive 42-shot win.
Rink one saw the rink of Pat Currie take on the Saundersfoot captain Steve Dick and the Tenby quartet went into an early 4-1 lead.
At 10 ends, Pat's rink still led by one shot (10-9), but then fell behind at 15 ends, 13-11.
The Saundersfoot foursome surged ahead at 18 ends to extend their lead to 18-11 and completed the first win against a Tenby rink for three games, winning 19-16.
Although disappointing to lose a rink for the first time this season, credit to the Tenby rink who, although 18-11 down, outscored their opponents 5-1 over the last three ends to close the gap.
The rink of Andrew Muskett played Stephen Poole again after beating the Saundersfoot rink two weeks ago by one shot.
This usually reliable rink were slow out of the blocks and were behind by two, eight, five and one after five, 10, 15 and 18 ends, respectively, but played extremely well in the latter part of the game to earn a draw.
The second half saw a much better performance and they were unlucky not to snatch a win, but no doubt will settle for a draw.
The sign of a quality 'rink' is that even when things do not go their way, they still avoid defeat and this is very much a quality 'four'.
Phil Carpenter's rink was against Berwyn Dennis and went behind at five ends 4-2 and a dropped count of three saw a deficit of 7-2.
Then the Tenby four went into overdrive to lead by six at 10 ends and 16 at 15 (ends).
A run of 11 shots without reply on the last three ends saw them finish comprehensive winners by 28 shots. Looking at scoring consistency, from six to 21 ends, they defeated their opponents 35-2, which is an incredible performance.
This young rink, with the ever-impressive Luke Rees being backed up by former club champions Luke and Craig Guymer and Welsh international Phil Carpenter, are playing so well that they just blow their opponents away, scoring three shots or more on 16 out of the 63 ends they have played so far this season, with the highest score against them being a three -which has happened only three times. This rink has now won their first three games by 15, 20 and 28 shots.
Paul Diment's rink once again played against Simon Evans's rink, with the Saundersfoot four trying to avenge a two-shot defeat in their recent game.
The Tenby foursome held a narrow 5-4 lead after five ends, but then took control emphatically to win the next eight ends and extend their lead 21-4.
The Saundersfoot four did their best to stick in and limit the scoring damage for the next nine ends and at the finish went down by 17 shots.
Gerald Hewitt was superb and was so good that he decided to try out the Robert Weale 'stance' halfway through the game. Gerald is the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen and when in full flow is outstanding.
His attitude and desire is second to none and together with the ever-impressive Mike Jackson at 'second' were on form throughout.
Former Welsh and British Isles champion, Peter Day was absolutely brilliant and left Paul with the job of consolidating what these players had set up to leave Simon Evans very much on the back foot.
Peter Day does not get the recognition he deserves from national selectors and this talented player always performs at a very high level. I cannot praise the Tenby front three enough for the way they mastered a very difficult 'rink' and set up great positions end after end.
To conclude, credit must be given to Saundersfoot, who gave Tenby their sternest challenge of the season so far.
Although they must be disappointed with two defeats in close succession, they can take a lot of credit for their performances against the Welsh champions and in my opinion will have a great season and my best wishes to them for the remainder of it.
It seems only like yesterday that Tenby were crowned as Welsh champions on that glorious day in Llandridod Wells and how quickly the campaign to retain the title starts.
After two great league wins against two top Pembrokeshire teams (Saundersfoot and Haverfordwest), Tenby had not lost a rink.
This trend was never likely to continue, but the impressive nature of this team is that when 'rinks' struggle, they do dig in and let the other 'rinks' ensure victory and, having only lost one out of 12 rink matches this season, is a very impressive statistic.
The Tenby team play as one and they are relentless in always asking the questions of their opponents.
A Saundersfoot player told me after the game that the Tenby team is "like a blue wave, coming again and again until it can't be kept back anymore."
I cannot be more proud of all the players in the way they have applied themselves in three tough opening games, not only in their application during matches, but their dedication in putting in hours of practice to ensure that we are in the best possible position to win these games.
The next two weeks see Tenby complete their group matches and face a potential banana skin against Neyland (away) tomorrow (Saturday). This is followed by Milford Haven (home) the week after.
The Saundersfoot match was the key game and Tenby will be firm favourites to enter the knockout stages of the Welsh Championship.
Rink scores (Tenby first, Saundersfoot skips only):
G. Hewitt, M. Jackson, P. Day, P. Diment 26; S. Evans 9.
J. Richards, D. Spencer, J. Roberts, A. Muskett 19; S. Poole 19.
L. Rees, L. Guymer, C. Guymer, P. Carpenter 37; B. Dennis 9.
N. Dickinson, J. Baggott, J. Webb, P. Currie 16; S. Dick 19.
Score breakdown: five end - Tenby 16 Saundersfoot 16; 10 ends - Tenby 44 Saundersfoot 35; 15 ends - Tenby 67 Saundersfoot 43; 18 ends - Tenby 76 Saundersfoot 52; 21 ends -Tenby 98 Saundersfoot 56.
A.C.
TENBY ARCHES v PEMBROKE DOCK PARK
The Tenby Arches (sponsored by The Fourcroft Hotel) travelled to Pembroke Dock for their first away game last Thursday.
They were only able to play eight ends when the heavens opened, turning the green into a swimming pool, so the game had to be postponed until June 22.
Welsh Trial
Congratulations to Tenby team captain Paul Diment who, along with Andrew Muskett, John Roberts and Phil Carpenter, has been selected for a Welsh trial on May 23. The captain referred to his bowling colleagues' success last week, but modestly omitted himself!
Whist results
Thursday, May 6: top score - Mair Marquiss, 185; 1st lady - Muriel Griffiths, 167; 2nd lady - Pauline Barnikel, 163; 1st gent - Mary Draper, 171; 2nd gent (after cutting the cards!) - Sandra Milward, 171; first half - Margaret Hill, 92; second half - Ginnie Beeken, 81; longest sitter, winning half dozen eggs - Elsie Breadnam, 5; lowest score - Vi Roberts; raffles - Elsie Breadnam and Sandra Milward.
Monday, May 10: top score - Jean Salisbury 176 (after cutting the cards!); 1st lady - Phyllis Jones, 170; 2nd lady - Ginnie Beeken, 164; 1st gent - Pauline Barnikel, also with 176; 2nd gent - Vi Roberts, 164; first half winner - Mary Renowden, 84; second half -Margaret Hill, 80; longest sitter - Olive Frost, six, half dozen of eggs; lowest score - Mary Draper; raffles - Olive Frost and Mary Renowden.
Whist drives are held twice weekly at the Tenby Bowling Club, Mondays and Thursdays at 7 pm. New members and visitors are always welcome.