Five Arches 95 Pembroke Dock Mariners 65

This year's campaign for the Brains Cup started on a blustery Wednesday evening. A good start was important as we have a tricky away game in our next match. The Mariners have had a good start to the season and are unbeaten in the league. However, since our defeat on the opening day of the season, we have also remained unbeaten and so a close encounter seemed to be on the cards.

On rink two, Alex returned to skipping duties, supported by Gerald, Tony and Ashley, and he was hoping to continue his own unbeaten record as skip.

In a close fought game, the Five Arches edged ahead by 14 shots to nine at the half-way stage, but the Mariners' quartet closed the gap to only three shots with two ends to play. However, the pressure was resisted and Alex and his team pulled away to record a 23 to 16 victory.

Lee and his merry men, namely Stuart, John and Ken, were as usual on rink three. In an evenly fought match, the lead changed hands several times, with neither team able to produce a match-winning margin. Into the final end, the Mariners team held a slender two-shot advantage and despite some fine bowls by the Five Arches foursome, they just managed to hold on to win by one shot.

Tony and his rink of Ben, Steve and Gwyn had an interesting game, as despite somehow dropping six shots on the fourth end they still managed to be leading by one at tea. The next five ends were shared, but the Five Arches put together a run of eight shots in five ends to edge ahead and ran out comfortable winners by 24 shots to 18.

In contrast to the other rinks, Ray and his rink of John, Peter and Clive were never in trouble. After 10 ends they had scored an unanswered 23 shots and had effectively won the match for us. However, a lot of credit must go to the Mariners rink who won six of the next seven ends to close the gap to 11 shots, but Ray and his team fought back once again to ease to a 31-13 victory.

A very good win against a good team. The final of the Brains Cup is held in Tenby this year and it would be a great achievement if we could reach the final and play on our home patch. The next two games in the Brains Cup are away against St. Thomas and home to St. Katherines.

Rink scores (Five Arches first, Mariners skips only):

Gerald Hewitt, Tony Powling, Ashley Hooper, Alex Watt 23; G. Bann 16.

Stuart Askew, John Hubbard, Ken Lloyd, Lee Richards 17; D. Halward 18.

Ben Cloake, Steve Davies, Gwyn Beynon, Tony Brown 24; G. Thomas 18.

John Rees, Peter Hooper, Clive Webb, Ray Taylor 31; G. Gelderblom 13.

St. Thomas 64

Five Arches 89

On the hottest day of the year so far, the Five Arches team were back in league action against St. Thomas of Haverfordwest.

The St. Thomas team had easily beaten us on our home green on the first day of the season and we arrived hoping to gain some form of revenge.

Due to Tony's family commitments and Ray's annual trip to the Derby, we were missing two of our usual skips and so were forced into a number of changes and welcomed two of Tenby's talented juniors into our team.

Isolated out on rink two, Clive, stepping up to skip for the first time this season, took to it like a duck to water. Ably supported by John, the returning Mike and Peter, they won nine of the first 10 ends to lead by 10 shots to three at tea. They stayed in control in the second half and ran out comfortable winners by 20 shots to 13.

Captain Ashley and his youthful rink of young Aaron, young Steve and young Ben had a thrilling encounter. Leading by 11 shots to six at tea, they experienced a great fightback by the St. Thomas quartet and the match was tied going into the final end. However, nerveless bowling by the Five Arches youngsters ensured a good two-shot victory.

Another close tussle was fought out by Alex and his rink of Dai, Tony and Gwyn, and they held a nice lead of 12 shots to eight at tea. Once again, the St. Thomas team fought back well and the game was also tied going into the final end. With both teams watching from the balcony, the Five Arches team snatched the one shot they needed to record a fine victory.

Lee and his rink of Stuart, John and Ken continued their merry way. Never behind in the game and comfortably ahead by 13 shots to five at tea, they pulled further away in the second half to win by 30 shots to 15.

We have not won at St. Thomas in a number of years, so to win on all four rinks and pick up the maximum 14 points is a great achievement. The win consolidates our lead at the top of the table, but we cannot be complacent, with tough games ahead in the rest of the month. Our next match is, of course, against St. Thomas in the Brains Cup on Wednesday, June 15.

Rink scores (Five Arches first, St. Thomas skips only):

John Rees, Mike Gouldingay, Peter Hooper, Clive Webb 20; R. Harries 13.

Aaron Lloyd, Steve Davies, Ben Simmons, Ashley Hooper 19; M. Davies 17.

Dai Rees, Tony Powling, Gwyn Beynon, Alex Watt 20; P. John 19.

Stuart Askew, John Hubbard, Ken Lloyd, Lee Richards 30; T. Harries 15.

Goscar 18

Neyland Brunel 17

This game was played on a blustery afternoon, with both teams wrapped up against the wind.

Although we did not stop for tea because the green was being cut later, Goscar were 13-4 up at 10 ends. However, 13 did become our unlucky number as we lost the next nine ends on the trot.

We began the last end two shots down. Our lead Ray was able to get two woods close to the jack and they were not disturbed. Our skip Harold also drew into the head and we managed to make three shots on the last end, winning by one shot.

Despite the close result, all our rink played well.

Lead Ray Hine, second Brian Winstone, third Jim Taylor, skip Harold Ebdon.

Goscar 36

Fishguard

Strumble 7

On a lovely sunny afternoon, Goscar welcomed Strumble to Tenby. On a swinging green, it took both teams time to adjust to the conditions and after a dead end on the third end, Goscar started to put a score on the board. Goscar dominated throughout the game, gradually increasing their lead.

John was having a good game at lead and Ray was helping to consolidate the head. The back pair also found their form, Jim doing his share, and our skip Harold having an excellent game, stroking his woods across the green.

This was our biggest win this season and all the team can be proud of the result.

TENBY ARCHES 52 PICTON 34

On a very hot Saturday afternoon, Tenby Arches (sponsored by The Fourcroft Hotel) played host to the Haverfordwest team, Picton. The green was like playing indoors, very fast.

Alison Redman and her rink were control of the game throughout. They were 16-3 up at tea and finished 31-11 victors.

Mair Marquiss and her rink, meanwhile, were down at tea 8-21, but after tea, they won every end bar two to finish only two shots behind 21-23.

Rink scores (Tenby team first, Picton skips only):

L. Delabertouche, A. Owens, H. Baggott, A. Redman 31; P. Langdon 11.

R. Silcox, G. Beeken, L. Evans, M. Marquiss 21; A. Thomas 23.

TENBY 125

KETTERING ATH. 104

On Monday, May 30, Tenby played host to Kettering Athletic BC. After a rather dull start in the morning with the weather conditions, the sun came out and it turned out to be a nice afternoon.

First of all, captain Mike welcomed captain Albert and the visitors looking forward to a nice friendly afternoon of bowling. At 10 ends, we all went in for tea, with both captains thanking the ladies for the refreshments.

Rink one saw V. Roberts and R. French supported by S. Davies and R. Taylor. At the halfway stage, Tenby were six shots up and things were much the same in the second half as they went on to win by nine.

Rink two saw C. Jones and H. Meads up front, supported by M. Gouldingay and young B. Simmons, who had a very good game as skip. At the halfway stage, it was all level, but Tenby went on to win after picking up four shots on the last end.

Rink three saw young A. Lloyd and D. Rees up front, supported by. P. Barnikel and A. Hooper. At the halfway stage, Tenby were 11 shots in front. In the second half, things did not get any better for the visitors, with Tenby going on to win by 18..

Rink four saw S. Askew and B. Winstone up front, supported by J. Taylor and R. Silcox. At the halfway stage, it was all level, but in the second half Tenby got stuck on 12 for five ends - it must have been a unlucky number - and the visitors eventually went on to win by seven shots.

Rink five saw J. Rees and B. Benham up front, supported by G. Beeken and G. Hill. At the interval, Tenby were two shots down, but in the second half came back to take six shots in the last three ends and went on to win by four.

Rink six saw M. Skyrme and F. Broomhead up front, supported by H. Ebdon and J. Hubbard. Tenby did not get off to a very good start by being nine shots down in the first half and in the second, things were more or less the same, with the visitors winning by 10 shots.

After the game, captain Mike once again welcomed captain Albert and all the visitors and said what a very nice and friendly afternoon it had been. Although Tenby won by 21 shots, he announced the result as a draw.

He also wished them all the very best for the rest of their tour and a safe journey home. He then went on to present captain Albert with a glass with the Tenby coat of arms.

In reply, captain Albert thanked Tenby for an afternoon they had all enjoyed and went on to present Mike with a bottle of wine.

To finish the afternoon, because this was the season's first friendly against a team from across the border, Mike decided, with the help of R. Taylor and players, to sing 'We'll keep a welcome'.

Rink scores (Tenby first, Kettering skips only) were:

V. Roberts, F. French, S. Davies, R. Taylor 24; D. Williams 15.

C. Jones, H. Meads, M. Gouldingay, B. Simmons 21; S. Essam 14.

A. Lloyd, D. Rees, P. Barnikel, A. Hooper 30; G. Blythe 12.

S. Askew, B. Winstone, J. Taylor, R. Silcox 15; B. Adair 22.

J. Rees, B. Benham, G. Beeken, G. Hill 20; T. Lynch 16.

M. Skyrme, F. Broomhead, H. Ebdon, J. Hubbard 15; Kettering 25.