President of Pembrokeshire County Bowling Association Don Poole hosted the annual county championship finals at his own club, Saundersfoot, on Saturday. Despite a freezing cold day, bowlers from around the county, who reached the finals, proved why they were there with some fine exhibition bowling to the delight of the many spectators (writes B. B). President Don Poole welcomed all and introduced all of the games. The open singles between John Roberts (Tenby) and Malcolm Bishop (Whitland) proved to be the most skilful display, with both players continually peppering the jack. There was a sad and untimely ending as John accidentally tapped in one of Mal's woods to give him game. In the Under 18s, Joe Richards (Tenby) turned on the style and everything went right for him as he ran out winner against young Joe Dennis (Saundersfoot). Craig Jones (Haverfordwest) was in rampant mood in the Under 25s singles as he played his clubmate Andrew Evans. To Andrew's credit, he took it like a good sport, smiling ruefully all the while. In the Over 60s singles, Mal Evans, of Pendine, just had the edge over Ken Edwards (Pembroke Dock) in a fine game of bowls. The Open Pairs turned out to be anyone's game. John Baggott and Paul Diment (Tenby) shot into an early lead, then Richard O'Leary and Craig Jones (Haverfordwest) got their act together, easing past the Tenby duo, but then froze on 16. John and Paul pulled out all the stops, enabling them to peel at the 20th end 16-all. A sporting handshake all round ready for a one-end shoot out, which John and Paul won. Good game. In the open triples, Peter Day, Andrew Muskett and Patrick Currie (Tenby) proved too good for the Milford trio of Royce Howells, Tony Elyatt and Barry Howells. The mixed pairs saw Andrea and Glyndwr Thomas (Whitland) play Natasha John and Craig Jones (Haverfordwest). The Whitland pair started slowly, but having won the event in 2004, were to prove successful once again in an excellent match. This was Craig's third final of the day. The rinks final was another exciting game, drawing lots of applause, mixed with oohs and aahs, in a very long game. John Roberts, Luke Guymer, Simon Evans and Phil Carpenter (Tenby) gave an excellent display of rinks bowling as the heads kept changing with every bowl. The Whitland quartet of Alan Whitehouse, Nigel Davies, Colin Wynn and Stephen Reese, gave as good as they got to run out victors - a feast of bowling. All the winners, except the mixed pairs and Under 35s, progress to the Welsh finals at Llandrindod Wells in August. County president, Don Poole, afterwards thanked everyone for making the day a success, including the ladies for serving refreshments, the bar staff, umpires Alan Redman and Tom Osborne, markers Alan Brace, Myrddin Dennis and Paul Blayney, the competitors, spectators and, of course, county competition secretary, Arthur Jarvis, for all his hard work during the season.
Results
Open singles: Mal Bishop (Whitland BC) 21; John Roberts (Tenby BC) 17. Open pairs: John Baggott and Paul Diment (Tenby BC) 17; Richard O'Leary and Craig Jones (Haverfordwest BC) 16. Open triples: Peter Day, Andrew Muskett and Pat Currie (Tenby BC) 17; Royce Howells, Tony Elyatt and Barry Howells (Milford Haven BC) 7. Open rinks: John Roberts, Luke Guymer, Simon Evans and Phil Carpenter (Tenby BC) 20; Alan Whitehouse, Nigel Davies, Colin Wynn, Steven Reese (Whitland BC) 21. Under 18 singles: Joe Dennis (Saundersfoot BC) 5; Joe Richards (Tenby BC) 21. Under 25 singles: Craig Jones (Haverfordwest BC) 21; Andrew Evans (Haverfordwest BC) 3. Over 60 singles: Mal Evans (Pendine BC) 21; Ken Edwards (Pembroke Dock BC) 19. Mixed pairs: Natasha John and Craig Jones (Haverfordwest BC) 15; Andrea and Glyndwr Thomas (Whitland BC) 22.