Bowlers from all over England and Wales have been competing this week for two of the most sought after titles in Welsh bowls - the coveted Gold Cup and Percy Howells Silver Bowl - at Tenby Bowling Club's Open Tournament.
Since Sunday, over 100 competitors have descended on the Sutton Street green to do battle in the popular event which has a total prize money of £1,800 up for grabs.
The 78th Open Tournament has once again provided a feast of bowling, much to the delight of a large crowd of spectators, who have been treated to matches of the highest calibre with many games going to 21-20 and some even finishing in near darkness well after 10 pm!
Although the weather for the tournament has been varied, with brilliant sunshine intermingling with overcast skies, the rain has stayed away allowing tournament organiser David King-Thomas and his assistant Ron Hurlow to maintain a tight daily schedule, which has on times thrown up a few shock results sparking major talking points around the green.
But there have been no such surprises for defending champion, David Kingdon, of Parc-y-Dre, Llanelli and Tenby's own Patrick Currie, last year's winner of the Percy Howells Silver Bowl who are both on track for repeat performances having eased through the opening rounds. David particularly must now surely fancy his chances of lifting the prestigious Gold Cup for a record-breaking fifth time after no fewer than three former winners, senior Welsh internations Keiran Peregrine (Ammanford Park) and Neil Rees (Parc-y-Dre), Lee Williamson (formerly of Tenby) and former finalist, Paul Diment, of Tenby all bowed out in the early rounds. The later just being edged out 21-20 on a measure.
Indeed, both David and Patrick could also be looking to add to their 2001 success as late on Wednesday both were still in contention for the 'dream double'.
Also looking to lift both titles as the last games took to the green on the fourth night was Tenby's John Baggott, while visiting bowler Danny Price, of Ammanford Park also remained unbeaten in the two events, although as the competition enters its final stages the standard and the build-up of matches could well put pay to all their hopes.
Among those hoping to strike 'gold' are Alan Redman, Terry Preston and Ray Holly, all of the home club and Graham Hughes, of neighbouring Saundersfoot, while among local hopes seeking Silver Bowl glory are Paul Diment, John Tyler, David Newth and Mike Crockford, plus former winners Colin Davies, of Carmarthen and Kieran Peregrine.
With play also commencing in the Five Arches two wood pairs yesterday (Thursday) for players eliminated in the main trophies, the whole event is building to an exciting climax tomorrow (Saturday) with the semi-finals taking place in the morning and the finals in the afternoon.
Early results were as follows:
GOLD CUP
PRELIMINARY ROUND
R. Harris (Ynysybwl) 23 T. Nutt (Ystrad Mynach) 16; Kieran Peregrine (Ammanford Park) 17 T. Daniel (Beaufort) 21; J. Tyler (Tenby) w/o C. Evans (Ystradfechan) scr; S. Butler (Briton Ferry Combine) 21 L. Guymer (Tenby) 3; C. Guymer (Tenby) 21 I. Owen (Ammanford Park) 15; M. Crockford (Tenby) 17 M. Davies (Crickhowell) 21; M. Evans (Parc-y-Dre) 21 P. Day (Tenby) 16; J. Webb (Tenby) 13 E. J. Davies (Ystradgunlais) 21; R. Hudson (Havelock Park) 21 W. T. Davies (Taibach) 16; W. Petit (3Ms) 8 H. Phillips (Cross Hands) 21; D. Evans (Parc-y-Dre) 20 D. Spencer (Tenby) 21; M. Gouldingay (Saundersfoot) scr W. R. Walters (Kidwelly) w/o; M. Donaghue (Tenby) 21 D. J. Evans (Kidwelly) 18; J. Mulcair (Pembroke Dock) 8 D. W. Rees (Brynhyfryd) 21; D. Owens (Bedford) 21 R. Hugh (Parc Howard) 19; R. Burden (Brynhyfryd) 21 C. C. Smith (Penylan) 12; R. Thomas (Milford Haven) 16 P. Currie (Tenby) 21; J. King (Tenby) 0 S. McNeilly (Tenby)21; D. Bancroft (Pembroke Dock) 21 D. R. Watkins (unattached) 20; J. Watkins (Ross-on-Wye) 17 J. Evans (Ammanford) 21; A. Owen (Carmarthen) 20 W. J. Oakley (Newcastle Emlyn) 21; R. James (Pendine)scr R. R. Davies (Carmarthen) w/o; M. Davies (Ystradfechan) scr A. Thomas (Pendine) w/o; Alan Evans (Kidwelly) 15 K. F. Davies (Troedyrhiw) 21; B. Barnikel (Tenby) 21 P. Jenkins (Brynhyfryd) 5; T. Osborne (Saundersfoot) 21 S. Harries (Carmarthen) 20; K. Sloan (Llanfair Caereinon) 18 A. Redman (Tenby) 21; W. T. Stephens (Ynysenharad) scr J. Hubbard (Tenby) w/o; J. John (Parc-y-Dre) 21 P. Diment (Tenby) 20; R. Bullen (Fox Lane) 21 D. Jones (Skewen) 19; P. Richardson (Wheatsheaf) 15 D. Newth (Tenby/Aberavon) 21; D. Dearling (Porthcawl) 21 L. Richards (Tenby) 6; K. Evans (Kidwelly) 21 P. Grasso (Burry Port) 13; B. Davies (Llandovery) 21 B. Deeley (Bournville) 8; R. Davies (Ammanford Park) 13 N. Rees (Parc-y-Dre) 21; P. Mearns (Tenby) 21 M. Williams (Llandovery) 10; E. Davies (Blue Anchor) scr N. Thomas (Pendine) w/o; C. R. Davies (Carmarthen) 21 D. Davies (Beaufort) 13; M. Howells (Ammanford Park) 15 D. Kingdon (Parc-y-Dre) 21; M. Harries (Carmarthen) 21 H. Andrews (Brynhyfryd) 9; P. Carpenter (Aberfan) 21 R. Powling (Tenby) 11; D. St. John (Carmarthen) 19 Gareth Hughes (Saundersfoot) 21.
FIRST ROUND
R. Harris 14 T. Daniel 21; J. Tyler 10 S. Butler 21; C. Guymer 13 M. Davies 21; M. Evans 21 E. J. Davies 19; R. Hudson 21 H. Phillips 12;D. Spencer 16 W. R. walters 21; M. Donaghue 11 D. W. Rees 21; D. Owens 19 R. Burden 21; P. Currie 21 S. McNeilly 8; D. Bancroft 21 J. Evans 11; W. J. Oakley 21 R. R. Davies 14; A. Thomas 21 K. F. Davies 19; B. Barnikel 21 T. Osborne 11; A. Redman 21 J. Hubbard 10; J. John 11 R. Bullen 21; D. Newth 11 D. Dearling 21; K. Evans 17 B. Davies 21; N. Rees 7 P. Mearns 21; N. thomas 6 C. R. Davies 21; D. Kingdon 21 M. Harries 16; P. Carpenter 21 G. Hughes 7; D. E. Davies (Llanelli) 2 D. M. Oliver (Brynhyfryd) 21; E. Oliver (Brynhyfryd) 17 B. Morgan (Pembroke Dock) 21; T. Preston (Tenby) 21 Aled Evans (Kidwelly) 6; Keith Peregrine (Ammanford Park) 21 R. Thake (Tenby) 4; J. Baggott (Tenby) 21 J. Davies (Ammanford Park) 13; D. Price (Ammanford Park) 21 R. Blacklaw (Dafen Crusaders) 14; R. Waters (Parc-y-Dre) scr Graham Hughes (Saundersfoot) w/o; R. Holly (Tenby) 21 R. Murray (Briton Ferry Steel) 6; T. Watkins (Abergavenny) 20 Dewi Hughes (Gelligaled) 21; L. Williamson (unattached) 19 M. Watts (Brynhyfryd) 21; G. Evans (Maesteg) 21 M. Davies (Carmarthen) 20.
SECOND ROUND
T. Daniel 21 S. Butler 16; M. Davies 21 M. Evans 10; R. Hudson 21 W. R. Walters 14; D. W. Rees 21 R. Burden 19;P. Currie 23 D. Bancroft 2; W. Oakley 21 A. Thomas 10; B. Barnikel 18 A. Redman 21;B. Bullen 21 D. Dearling 16; B. Davies 21 P. Mearns 17; C. Davies 15 D. Kingdon 21.
PERCY HOWELLS
SILVER BOWL
PRELIMINARY ROUND
R.R. Davies (Carmarthen) w/o M. Gouldingay (Saundersfoot) scr; L. Guymer (Tenby) 14 J. Mulcair (Pembroke Dock) 21; C. R. Davies (Carmarthen) 21 C. C. Smith (Penlan) 10;R. Davies (Ammanford Park) scr T. Nutt (Ystrad Mynach) w/o; D. Dearling (Porthcawl) 12 A. Redman (Tenby) 21; T. Preston (Tenby) 21 S. Harries (Carmarthen) 14; R. Waters (Parc-y-Dre) scr R. Thomas (Milford Haven) w/o; E. Oliver (Brynhyfryd) w/o R. Hugh (Parc Howard) scr; A. Owen (Carmarthen) 21 M. Donoghue (Tenby) 17; Keith Peregrine (Ammanford Park) 10 P. Day (Tenby) 21; N. Thomas (Pendine) 20 D. Owens (Bedford) 21; A. Thomas (Pendine) 7 W. T. Davies (Taibach) 21; R. Bullen (Fox Lane) 18 M. Evans (Parc-y-Dre) 21; D. Price (Ammanford Park) 21 J. Hubbard (Tenby) 19; J. John (Parc-y-Dre) 17 W. Petit (3Ms) 21; M. Davies (Carmarthen) 21 T. Osborne (Saundersfoot) 14; B. Morgan (Pembroke Dock) 9 R. Hudson (Havelock Park) 21; D. Kingdon (Parc-y-Dre) 21 B. Barnikel (Tenby) 7; B. Deeley (Bournville) 5 Alan Evans (Kidwelly) 21; R. Holly (Tenby) 13 T. Daniel (Beaufort) 21; D. Bancroft (Pembroke Dock) 21 J. Evans (Ammanford) 13; D. M. Oliver (Brynhyfryd) 21 D. Spencer (Tenby) 19; P. Mearns (Tenby) 21 D. W. Rees (Brynhyfryd) 10; R. Blacklaw (Dafen Crusaders) 16 P. Currie (Tenby) 21; Aled Evans (Kidwelly) 21 R. Harris (Ynysybwl) 11; J. Baggott (Tenby) 21 H. Guy (Tenby) 4; L. Richards (Tenby) 21 W. R. Walters (Kidwelly) 13; P. Jenkins (Brynhyfryd) 21 H. Phillips (Cross Hands) 16; M. Davies (Ystradfechan) scr Keiran Peregrine (Ammanford Park) w/o; R. Burden (Brynhyfryd) 21 D. Howells (Saundersfoot) 4; L. Williamson (unattached) 22 J. Webb (Tenby) 6; P. Carpenter (Aberfan) 21 P. Richardson (Wheatsheaf) 6; J. Watkins (Ross-on-Wye) 21 J. Davies (Ammanford Park) 16; Gareth Hughes (Saundersfoot) 21 D. J. Evans (Kidwelly) 12; C. Guymer (Tenby) 8 D. Jones (Skewen); M. Howells (Ammanford Park) w/o C. Evans (Ystradfechan) scr; K. Evans (Kidwelly) 21 R. Thake (Tenby) 3; P. Grasso (Burry Port) w/o W. T. Stephens (Ynysenharad) scr; M. Crockford (Tenby) 21 W. J. Oakley (Newcastle Emlyn)18; K. F. Davies (Troedyrhiw) 21 I. Owen (Ammanford Park) 3; E. Davies (Blue Anchor) 19 D. Davies (Beaufort) 21; R. James (Pendine) 14 D. Evans (Parc-y-Dre) 21.
FIRST ROUND
R. R. Davies 8 J. Mulcair 21; C.R. Davies 21 T. Nutt 18; A. Redman 18 T. Preston 21; R. Thomas 21 E. Oliver 9; A. Owen 13 P. Day 21;D. Owens 14 W. T. Davies 21; M. Evans 19 D. Price 21; W. Petit 20 M. Davies 21; R. Hudson 6 D. Kingdon 21; A. Evans 5 T. Daniel 21; D. Bancroft scr D. M. Oliver w/o; P. Mearns 10 P. Currie 21; A. Evans 13 J. Baggott 21; L. Richards 18 P. Jenkins 21; K. Peregrine 21 R. Burden 20; L. Williamson 21 P. Carpenter 12; J. Watkins 21 Gareth Hughes 9; D. Jones 21 M. Howells 19; K. Evans w/o P. Grasso scr; M. Crockford 21 K. F. Davies 18; D. Davies 9 D. Evans 21; M. Williams 21 D. St. John 13; G. Evans (Maesteg) 12 M. Harries (Carmarthen) 21; B. Davies 21 M. Watts (Brynhyfryd) 19; S. Butler (Briton Ferry Combine) 21 T. Watkins (Abergavenny) 13; D. Newth (Tenby/Aberavon) 21 Dewi Hughes (Gelligaled) 14; R. Powling (Tenby) scr R. Murray (Briton Ferry Steel) w/o; S. McNeilly (Tenby) 1 N. Rees (Parc-y-Dre) 21; M. Davies (Crickhowell) 21 Graham Hughes (Saundersfoot) 13; D. R. Watkins (unattached) 17 Dyfrig Hughes (Haverfordwest) 21; P. Diment (Tenby) 21 D. E. Davies (Llanelli) 11; J. King (Tenby) 4 J. Tyler (Tenby) 21.
SECOND ROUND
J. Mulcair 17 C.R. Davies 21; R. Thomas 21 T. Preston 16; W. T. Davies 21 P. Day 19; D. Price 21 M. Davies 13; D. Kingdon 21 T. Daniel 9; J. Watkins 14 D. Jones 21.