Local sportsman Paul Diment joined an elite band of bowlers at the weekend when he won the coveted double at Tenby Bowling Club's blue riband event, Gold Cup Week. Thirty-five-year-old Diment became only the fifth player ever in the 83-year history of the competition to win two of the most sought-after titles in Welsh bowls, both the Gold Cup and the Percy Howells Silver Bowl, in the same year. Previous double achievers have been Clifton Johns in 1954, Gwyn Griffiths in 1966, Simon Evans in both 1985 and 1994, and Lee Williamson in 1995. In fact, Diment, a financial adviser with N. D. Toy and Partners Ltd., was the runner-up to both Evans in 1994 and Williamson the following year. But in 2004, Diment won the Gold Cup himself. In Saturday's final for the premier trophy, Diment, who bowls for the host club in Sutton Street, was in sparkling form, producing a 24-carat performance to beat visitor Tony Harries, of Gorseinon, 21-20 in a 27-end thriller. After the opening exchanges, Harries had the edge and led 9-6 and and then 13-6 after picking up a full house of four shots. But what could have been the turning point in the game for Diment came two ends later. Fourteen- seven down on the scoreboard and one down in the head, he played weight and, although he missed, his wood took a slight touch which played Harries's bowl away to make a vital three and put him back in the game at 14-10. This appeared to give Diment a boost. He went on to pick up three singles to Harries's two to close the gap to just two shots, before scoring two consecutive doubles to take the lead for the first time at 17-16. Harries hit back with a two and a one to put him within sight of the gleaming cup, 19-17. On the next end, Diment levelled the match 19-all. Harries replied, putting two woods within six inches of a full length jack. Diment played weight with his third bowl and killed the end. On the replayed end, Harries took a single, drawing it with his last bowl when Diment was lying match. Diment played a shot to play his bowl out, but just missed. Now within one shot of victory, Harries tactically gave the jack away to ensure he had the last wood of the end. Diment put his second and third bowls on the jack. Harries drove and took one away, just missing the other scoring shot. The score was now 20-all. It couldn't have been closer, with both bowlers having the title within their grasp. Diment himself gave the jack away. Harries put his first two woods within 12 inches of the jack. Diment's two failed to reach the head - was tiredness about to set in? With his third bowl, Diment drew the golden match-winning shot within six inches of the jack. With his last wood of the end, Harries just ran through nine inches, leaving Diment to clinch that all-important victory. And there was nobody more excited than Diment's young daughters, Ellie, five, and Lucy, three, who ran onto the green to congratulate their dad. In the morning's semi-finals, Harries was himself on the end of a 21-20 win over Saundersfoot's Phil Carpenter, while Diment beat five times winner David Kingdon, of Brynhyfryd, Llanelli, 21-13.
Double Hopes
Now the question on everyone's lips was - like the old Double Diamond TV advert - could Diment himself work wonders and complete a memorable double? The answer was, yes he could. The Percy Howells Silver Bowl final was a complete contrast to the Gold final and turned out to be something of a one-sided game. Having already met in the semi-final of the Gold, this game was to be second Diment versus Kingdon clash of the day. On paper, spectators may have expected another closely-fought contest, but it was not to be. Picking up a full house followed by a three put Diment into an early 9-1 lead after just five ends. Two ends later, Diment picked up another three, and although Kingdon picked up two consecutive doubles to close the gap to 12-7 on the ninth end, Diment continued to take control. Diment conceded a single on the 11th end, before picking up a 2, 3, 1, to put him in front 19-8, and, although Kingdon snatched two singles, Diment took two shots for victory on the next end to win 21-10. Diment earned his place in the final by edging out Martyn Harries, of Carmarthen, 21-19, while Kingdon saw off the challenge of defending champion and recent Atlantic Rim gold medallist, Neil Rees, of Parc-y-Dre, 21-16.
Five Arches Bowl
In the Five Arches Bowl final, regular tournament entrant, Colin Davies, of Carmarthen, faced fellow Carmarthenshire bowler, Phil Richardson, of the Parc-y-Dre club, Llanelli. Davies, winner of the Silver Bowl in 1996, reached the final of the Gold Cup last year, but was defeated by English star Danny Denison. This year, it took the popular bowler just 17 ends as he ran out a comfortable 21-8 winner. Marker of the Gold Cup was club chairman, David King Thomas, while Fred Rogers marked the Silver Bowl final, and Joe Richards, the Five Arches Bowl final. Mayor of Tenby, Clr. John Griffiths, was on hand to present the trophies. Sponsored again by Carlsberg/Tetley, Diment pocketed a total of £1,250 - £700 for the Gold Cup and £500 for the Silver. The Gold Cup runner-up received £250, while the Silver Bowl runner-up received £150. Prize-money for the winner of the Five Arches Bowl (sponsored by the Giltar Hotel) was £100, with £50 for the runner-up. The winners and runners-up also received commemorative trophies to keep as lasting mementos of their success. Winner of the top marker of the week was Joe Richards, while Adam Hensman had second prize. And for bowlers with a 2008 diary. Next year's Gold Cup Week starts on Sunday, August 3. Results in the closing rounds were: Gold Cup
Quarter-finals: Tony Harries 21 Andrew Muskett 17; Neil Rees 6 Dai Kingdon 21; Phil Carpenter 21 Peter Day 20; Sid Butler 12 Paul Diment 21. Semi-finals: Dai Kingdon 13 Paul Diment 21; Phil Carpenter 20 Tony Harries 21. Final: Tony Harries 20 Paul Diment 21.
Percy Howells Silver Bowl
Quarter-finals: Paul Diment 21 Dan Davies Jnr 10; Dai Kingdon 21 John Roberts 17; Dai Summers 20 Martyn Harries 21; Neil Rees 21 Mal Owen 12. Semi-finals: Dai Kingdon 21 Neil Rees 16; Martyn Harries 19 Paul Diment 21. Final: Paul Diment 21 Dai Kingdon 10.
Five Arches Bowl
First round: Ray Holly 15 Thomas Holmes 21; Mike Gouldingay 21 Stuart Askew 14; Colin Jones 13 Gareth Hughes 21; Wayne Webster 10 John Baggott 21; Jeremy Watkins 10 Colin Davies 21; Peter Williams 21 Brian Evans 19. Tommy Nutt 10 Aled Evans 21; Bill Oakley 21 Adam Hensman 15; Phil Richardson 21 Bill Warren 7; Dilwyn Jones 12 Robert Davies 21; Glan Evans beat Steve Moore; Cliff Hyde 6 Nicky Jones 21. Rob Bullen 21 Alan Thomas 17; David Owen 21 Ron Harris 15; Sam Brown 21 Ashley Hooper 12; Wyndham Pettit 15 Stan Harries 21. Second round: Colin Davies 21 Peter Williams 11; Gareth Hughes 21 John Baggott 6; Aled Evans 21 Bill Oakley 20; Mike Gouldingay 21 Thomas Holmes 7. Phil Richardson 21 Robert Davies 20; Glan Evans 4 Nicky Jones 21; Alan Thomas 2 David Owen 21; Sam Brown 12 Stan Harries 21. Quarter-finals: Mike Gouldingay 8 Gareth Hughes 21; Colin Davies 21 Aled Evans 19; David Owen 11 Stan Harries 21; Phil Richardson 21 Nicky Jones 7. Semi-final: Gareth Hughes 17 Colin Davies 21; Stan Harries 14 Phil Richardson 21. Final: Phil Richardson 8 Colin Davies 21.