Division One
Milford Haven 62 (0) Tenby 85 (14 pts)
After their shock defeat to Whitland last week, the defending Pembrokeshire League champions, Tenby, travelled to Milford Haven.
The Layton and Company Solicitors and Chandler Rogers Estate Agents sponsored side won by 23 shots and took the maximum 14 points.
At five ends, Tenby took control of the game and led by five shots. At 10 ends, the lead had increased to 21 shots and further increased to 43 at 15 ends. Tenby finished with a 100 shots to 62 win, but as two of their 'rinks' were a player short, a deduction of 25 per cent was incurred and, therefore, the final result was a 23-shot win.
Rink one saw Pat Currie take on Tony Ellyatt and what a game it turned out to be. Down by a solitary shot at five ends and by two at 10 ends, the Tenby rink dug deep into their reserves to lead by one at the 15th end.
The scores drew level at 18 ends (18-18) and then the former British Isles champion, Pat Currie, saved his rink by reducing a five-count on the 20th end and again played a winning shot on the final end to secure the two points.
Over the years there have been many times that Pat has turned in match-winning performances and, although overall the match was won, it was important to secure maximum points and thanks to the skilful play of Pat, it was.
Rink two saw a late change of formation. Luke Rees was impressive as ever, as was former club champion Steve Williams. Craig Guymer has matured extremely well in his new skipping position when deputising for Phil Carpenter and this talented trio took control of the rink to lead 10-6 at 10 ends after drawing 3-3 after five (ends).
A further surge saw the lead extend to 11 shots at 15 ends and an unassailable lead was built up at the 18th end (19-7). A final winning margin of 25-9 was reduced due to the 25 per cent deduction for the rink playing one player short.
Andrew Muskett's rink were pitted against Roy Thomas and like Pat Currie's game, it proved to be a close encounter. Behind at five ends by one shot, they drew level at 10 ends, but a dropped 2 and 3 in consecutive ends saw them fall behind at 15 ends by 11-15.
Unlike last week against Whitland, the rink rallied and a superb scoring sequence of 2, 4, 2 and 3 saw an advantage of 22-15 by the 19th end.
The Tenby team could now breathe a sigh of relief, now that a further two points were secured for the rink win. However, just to make matters interesting, they dropped a five-shot count on the 20th end and a single on the 21st to scrape home by one.
Joe Richards was by far the most impressive on the rink and his performance was his best of the season. As I have said before, the future is very bright for Joe and in this new position, which I know isn't his preferred choice, he will gain international honours far quicker, and I know that the penny may have dropped with this likeable young man to this fact.
Former Welsh champion Peter Day took over skipping duties from Paul Diment who moved to 'second' and with Cameron White as lead, this 'rink' also played as a triple against Brian Davies.
A dropped single on the first end was followed by the trio winning 14 out of the next 16 ends. At five ends, a lead had been built up of seven shots (8-1) and a run of 5, 3, 3 and 2 shots saw them move out of distance of their opponents, 21-2.
The score had increased to 29-4 and 32-5 by the 15th and 18th ends, respectively, but a lapse in concentration saw them lose the last four ends to finally secure a 32-12 win. With the 25 per cent deduction in place, the final rink win was 24-12.
Cameron White once again proved what a valuable member of the team he is by having another wonderful match and was backed up by the cool and assured Peter Day at skip.
In conclusion, this was a tough encounter and with issues about player availability leading up to the match and more disruption five minutes before the game was due to start, resulting in Tenby playing two 'rinks' one player short, this was a performance which will be looked back on as the key result which helped win the league again. A loss would not have been disastrous, but would have heaped pressure on the team, when in all fairness it would not have been merited.
Over the years, Tenby have had their backs to the wall and the tremendous team spirit does come shining through time and time again and this match was another example.
This weekend, the team take on Haverfordwest Castle, who almost beat Saundersfoot a few weeks ago. Therefore, the Welsh champions will take nothing for granted as they bid for a further 14 points to further increase the pressure on the Whitland team.
Rink scores (Tenby first, Milford skips only):
Neil Dickinson, John Baggott, Jonathan Webb and Pat Currie 21; Tony Ellyatt 20.
Luke Rees, Steve Williams and Craig Guymer 18; Peter Collins 9.
Joe Richards, Dai Spencer, John Roberts and Andrew Muskett 22; Roy Thomas 21.
Cameron White, Paul Diment and Peter Day 24; Brian Davies 12.
Brains Cup
Five Arches 77 Pembroke Dock Mariners 80
The first match in the defence of the Brains Cup ended in a narrow defeat away to the team the Arches beat in last year's final.
The game was played on a warm spring evening and provided an exciting ending, with the result in the balance until the final few bowls.
In a tight game on rink four, Ashley and his rink of Ben, Tony and Gwyn recovered from a deficit at tea to pull away to a slender lead with only two ends go. However, the loss of five shots on these two ends proved crucial and the Mariners rink, skipped by county secretary Gerard Thomas, eased to a hard fought 19-17 win.
Rink three at Pembroke Dock is well-known for its peculiarities and Lee's rink of Ken, Ben and Ray were unfortunate to be drawn against a Mariners rink who through their local knowledge completely outbowled them. Although they only won four ends, they are a strong rink and will bounce back from this defeat.
Clive and his rink of Steve, Mike and Aaron continued their run of good form. They were always in the lead and were never troubled and eased to a six-shot victory.
Tony, with John, Cameron and Eamonn providing good support, staged a fine recovery to go on to be top rink. Five down with eight ends to play, they completely outscored their opponents in the remainder of the match to win by nine.
Overall a disappointing result, but a good, hard-fought game. The Mariners have a tricky away game in Haverfordwest, so the Arches are still in with a chance of qualifying.
Rink scores (Tenby first, Mariners skips only):
Eamonn Maher, Cameron White, John Hubbard, Tony Brown 25; G. Gelderblom 16.
Aaron Lloyd, Mike Gouldingay, Steve Williams, Clive Webb 24; D. Halward 18.
Ken Lloyd, Ben Cloake, Ray Taylor, Lee Richards 11; G. Bann 27.
Ben Simmons, Tony Powling, Gwyn Beynon, Ashley Hooper 17; G. Thomas 19.
Five Arches 130 Pembroke Dock Pater 38
A return to league action after their disappointing result in the cup and a return to sunny Tenby.
After a sustained period of dry weather, the green was running fast and true.
A good win was required to keep the Five Arches in the race for the Division Two title.
Rink two saw Tony and his rink of Ben, Eamonn and John in imperious form; they were never behind and romped away to a 33 -10 win.
Lee and his rink of Ken, Ben and Ken were once again drawn on rink three, the fifth time in six matches this season.
Whatever mysteries may lurk on rink three were soon mastered by Lee and his team, storming to a 33-10 win, including counts of seven and five.
Clive and his rink of Aaron, Harry and Mike continued their winning ways; they only dropped six ends in total and again won by 33-10.
To break the pattern, Ashley and his rink of Dai, Tony and Gwyn won by 31 shots to eight, again only losing on six ends.
In some ways, a strange game, with each rink winning by 23 and three of them with the same score, but a very healthy win by 92 shots boosts the Arches' shot difference and the 14 points moves them to third in the table.
Special thanks must go to Ken Williams and Harry Meads for stepping in at the last moment to help out and also to highlight once again the good form shown by the youngsters, Ben Simmons, Aaron Lloyd and Ben Cloake, who continue to impress with their play.
Next match is against table-topping Pendine down on the Carmarthenshire coast.
Rink scores (Arches first, Pater skips only):
Eamonn Maher, Ben Simmons, John Hubbard, Tony Brown 33; S. James 10.
Ken Lloyd, Ken Williams, Ben Cloake, Lee Richards 33; M. Hyde 10.
Aaron Lloyd, Harry Meads, Mike Gouldingay, Clive Webb 33; J. Russell 10.
Dai Rees, Tony Powling, Gwyn Beynon, Ashley Hooper 31; B. Duncombe 8.
TENBY ARCHES 51 MILFORD HAVEN 31
On Friday, the team (sponsored by The Fourcroft Hotel) travelled to Milford Haven, on a beautiful sunny afternoon.
Mair's rink were 13-5 up at teatime, but Milford fought back to 16-14 on the 16th end. The Tenby ladies kept their cool and finished 22-17.
Alison's rink were exactly the same score as Mair's at teatime. They added to their score with some good shots to keep the lead right through to the last end, finishing 29-14.
Rink scores (Tenby first, Milford skips only):
G. Beeken, D. White, L. Evans, M. Marquiss 22; J. Collins 17.
L. Delabertouche, A. Owens, H. Baggott, A. Redman 29; P. Davies 14.
Whist drives
Thursday, June 3: top score - Pauline Barnikel, 183; 1st lady - Mary Renowden, 175; 2nd lady - Olive Frost, 168; 1st gent - Ginnie Beeken, 176; 2nd gent - Gladys Irvine, 166; first half winner - Muriel Griffiths, 88; second half winner - Jean Salisbury, 78; longest sitter - Vi Roberts, eight sits; lowest score - Margaret Hill; raffles - Vi Roberts and Mair Marquiss.
Monday, June 7: top score - Gladys Irvine, 179; 1st lady - Mair Marquiss, 175; 2nd lady - Mary Renowden, 168; 1st gent - Margaret Hill, 177; 2nd gent - Pauline Barnikel, 171; first half winner - Jean Salisbury, 83; second half winner - Vi Roberts, 70; raffles - Mary Renowden and Vi Roberts.
New members and visitors are very welcome to join-in the weekly whist drives which are run on Mondays and Thursdays, commencing at 7 pm sharp.