Tuesday, April 28, saw the annual club pairs competition of the Badgers Short Mat Bowls Club taking place at Llanteg Village Hall.
This year, there were 16 entries, which made it nice and easy for Ken Bellamy to arrange the knockout.
The lucky dip - who plays with who - was completed without too many groans before the contest began.
Bertie the Badger money box kept his eagle eye on proceedings throughout, keeping tabs on who hit the block, thus making a start on filling himself up for the new season - 5p a hit!
No comment on the first round, other than to say the club's two dependable 'skips' had been drawn to play together, therefore instantly becoming the favourites.
But, shock horror, they failed to score against the 'cool' pair of Hazel Wadey and John James and bashfully made an exit. All club members showed their sympathetic side!
The semi-finals saw Tony Wheadon and Aubrey Streeter drawn against Carole Wheadon and Stew Howe. Carole and Tony against each other - a needle match indeed! Tony and Aubrey came out eventual winners, Carole and Stew smilingly congratulating them through gritted teeth!
In the other game, Joyce Howe and Bob Duncombe had a good game, but the family pair of John James and Hazel Wadey were the deserved winners.
Before the final, an excellent spread was enjoyed by all. Everyone had to guess the amount collected by Bertie during the season and Dave Griffiths was the winner, being only 20p out from the £13.60 total (272 hits!).
A raffle was then held for the money and the winner was Steve Dick, who generously donated it to charity. The winner of the letters and numbers paper quiz, which members participated in throughout the evening, was Viv Dick.
The final was a nailbiting affair, with plenty of oooohs and aaaahs. Not only did they have the pressure of the final to endure, but also the comments of the crowd. Decorum was requested, but the crowd continued to express their feelings.
In a very close match, 8-6, the victors were Hazel and John with some pinpoint accurate bowling.
Club captain Joyce Howe then presented the runners-up, Tony and Aubrey, with the tasteful runner-up trophies and Hazel and John with the shield. No doubt it will have pride of place on the sideboard.
Thanks to Joyce and Ken for organising a most enjoyable and fun evening.