It has been a week of highs and lows down at the club. Those who had got through to the semi-finals of the various competitions had to get them played off before last Sunday. The successful ones were, of course, on a high, while the losers were the ones on a low. It always seems more painful losing out in a semi-final, rather than in the earlier rounds; it is probably because you are so near and yet so far.

To those who did lose out at the last hurdle, never mind, it is a great achievement to get so far, and who knows, maybe next year it will be your turn.

Certainly this year has seen the emergence of some new names to get through to the final stages, again proof that those who a couple of years ago were the new kids on the block, so to speak, are now becoming more and more experienced, and the older hands are now having to fight all the way in the competitions.

Anyway, it all comes to a final crunch tomorrow (Saturday). The first games will be starting at the unearthly hour of 9 am. With a number of players getting through to more than the one final, it means that games have to be spread out a bit more, so if you are one of the early birds, you can, if you wish, book an early alarm call (Mike will see to that for you!).

It will be non-stop action all day, with some exciting looking games on the cards. Hopefully, we will get a large support from the members, and of course anyone else who wishes to pop along and give of their support. There will be refreshments available throughout the day.

The day will finish with a presentation evening starting at about 8 pm. There will be buffet available, and again it is hoped that not only the finalists will come along, but also the club members.

Any members wishing to contribute to the buffet are asked to give details of what they will donate. There is a sheet available on the notice board.

Hopefully, by this time, all the various trophies are now back in the hands of Mike. If you have not returned a trophy that you won last year, you are in trouble, get it along to Mike now.

SAUNDERSFOOT 86 (12pts) PENDINE 61 (2pts)

This was the last game for the Saundersfoot lads in this season's fixtures. The final table was more or less completed and the best they could do was a creditable third place.

Once again the old arguments arise, of 'why didn't we do this, and why didn't we do that,' but it all boils down to the fact that once again we are the bridesmaids rather than the brides. Hopefully lessons will have been learned and next season they will be used to the advantage of the club.

Don Poole's rink had a good old ding dong of a battle with Jim Lloyd's lads, and nice little six count on the fifth end helped them to settle down and run out seven-shot winners.

The Berwyn Dennis led rink, with John Dugmore, John Evans and Bob Griffiths, were on a high. Berwyn was certainly the baby of the group, but the old heads in front of him gave him an easy task and helped the rink to a marvellous 18-shot win.

Steve Poole had a couple of changes in his line-up, George Cavell coming in at two, while Arthur White moved over to lead. It worked handsomely as they coasted home 14-shot victors.

Changes were also made at the last minute in the final rink. John Smalley moved up to skip, Mervyn Brace moved up to three, while Derek Newton received a late call from the Meyrick Owen to second, Alan Brain stayed at lead. Obviously the last minute alterations played havoc with the players as this was only rink to go down.

Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Pendine skips only):

G. Hughes, J. Moffat, T. Cummings, Don Poole 26; J. Lloyd 19.

B. Griffiths, J. Evans, J. Dugmore, B. Dennis 28; O. Edwards 10.

A. White, G. Cavell, P. Blayney, S. Poole 24; R. James 10.

A. Brain, D. Newton, M. Brace, J. Smalley 12; B. John 22.

MEYRICK OWEN

ST. ISSELL'S 13 PENDINE 15

Also playing their last game of the season were the lads of the St. Issell's Meyrick Owen squad. Their previous three encounters had seen them record some classic wins and they were hoping to finish on a high.

The late call up of Derek Newton to the first team meant that Arthur Jeanes had to move from lead to skip, with Jack John at three, George Floyd at two and Lyndsay Waters coming in as lead. They gave a good account of themselves in the early exchanges and at the finish an unlucky deflection from Arthur's last wood saw them lose out by just two shots.

The club owes a debt of thanks to all the players who represented them at Meyrick Owen level, both in the St Issell's and Saundersfoot squads, often having to travel as a group to play when the other teams were elsewhere. These lads gave their all and the clubmanship was a credit to them all.

FRIENDLY

SAUNDERSFOOT 110 BELLE VUE 115

Paying a return visit once again, the players of Belle Vue are always a welcome addition to the fixture list. They have been coming to the club for a number of years and always bring laughter to the green. At the same time they are also very keen to win the game, but enjoyment of their day's outing is paramount to them, while the crowd of supporters they bring with them always seem to have great fun also.

John Lawrence was meeting up with a lot of his old buddies from the area, but the bon hommie stopped in the pavilion as John pushed his rink to win well. With Roy Kennion at three, Mary Bullock at two and Dave Williams at lead, they were behind at tea, but dug in to storm home seven-shot winners.

Mary Cummings had Tony Bullock at three, Elsie Pendlebury at two and Eric Davies at lead. There was a struggle from beginning to end and eventually they had to concede a seven-shot deficit.

Derek Newton, fresh from his exploits with the first team the previous day, led a rink of Jim Davies at three, Kay Kennion at two and Gordon James at lead. This was yo-yo type of game, with first one, then the other taking the initiative. At the finish it was the visitors who ran out eight-shot winners.

Captain Dave Robb and his rink of Audrey Williams at three, Gwynfor Davies making a welcome return to the fold at two and John Tombs at lead, were in top form. Never in any real danger, they made sure of the kitty with a 13-shot margin.

Marion Evans was joined by Steve Arris at three, Tony Cummings at two and Joy James at lead. Leading at tea, they obviously picked up the wrong tea cups as they then went a disastrous nine ends without a score, to lose out by 12 shots.

Mike Gouldingay had Peter Bissell at three, Anne Evans at two and Lyndsay Waters at lead. They struggled to make any impact on the visitors and lost out at the finish by eight shots.

Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, visitors skips only):

D. Williams, M. Bullock, R. Kennion, J. Lawrence 20; H. Gripton 13.

E. Davies, E. Pendlebury, T. Bullock, M. Cummings 11; M. Lyons 18.

G. James, K. Kennion, J. Davies, D. Newton 16; J. Sommers 24.

J. Tombs, G. Davies, A. Williams, D. Robb 25; M. Stead 12.

J. James, T. Cummings, S. Arris, M. Evans 11; D. Piddington 23.

L. Waters, A. Evans, P. Bissell, M. Gouldingay 17; R. Morgan 25.

FORTHCOMING

FIXTURES

Today (Friday), the club entertain the touring side from the Cotswolds with six mixed rinks. Saturday, of course, is club finals day, with the presentations in the evening. All members are invited to attend.

Sunday sees the visit of the Aberaman team, making their first visit to the club; again six rinks will be in action.

On Monday the ladies of St. Issell's are still in the thick of the action with a game against Five Arches at Tenby.

CONGRATULATIONS

Tenby Five Arches played there rearranged fixture against Goscar last Sunday morning and a four-rink victory ensured them the second division title. Whilst the St. Issell's team are naturally disappointed that things went against them, they would like to pass on their best wishes to the Five Arches squad, and wish them well next season in the first division.

If the team spirit and determination is shown again next season as it was this, then maybe this time next year the St. Issell's lads will be up there with them. They certainly showed that they have the fighting spirit to get there, and with a little bit of luck here and there, it could have been this season. But what the heck lads, we gave a good account of ourselves, didn't we?

A very creditable and fighting second spot in the league is one to be proud of. Let's keep that spirit for next season.

The first team players are also slightly disappointed at the outcome of the season, after things looked bright early on, but again a little bit of luck and a few alterations here and there, and heads might be high next season also.

The ladies of Saundersfoot have had a up and down type of season, and whilst again not amongst the silverware, they have scared a few clubs en route.

The St. Issell's ladies have made a more dramatic alteration to their game from last season. After being the strongest team in the league, holding the rest up, they have stormed through to be in the running for the title. At present it looks more like second or third, but things are changing even as you read this, and there is still hope.

Certainly team captain Beryl Lewis has got herself a strong bunch of determined ladies who have improved tremendously. Who knows what next season might bring if they continue in this manner.

The Meyrick Owen teams once again gave a good account of themselves. Although the main idea behind these two squads is to give the fringe players a game, they took to the field with fighting spirit and were a credit to the club. With various changes maybe coming up, they will hopefully continue next year to do the same.

MANY THANKS

The green is now beginning to show signs of wear and tear, mind you after two years of four or five games being played on it every week you should not wonder. Nevertheless, Chris Jenkins and Glynn Stevens have worked miracles at times to get it looking as it does. It is all credit to these two lads that visiting teams are sometimes gobsmacked at the condition.

They are going to have a lot of work to do during the close season to get things back to tip-top condition for the opening next year, but I have no doubt that they will. We are very lucky at Saundersfoot to have two such dedicated people to work on our green. Where would we be without them?

LADIES COUNTY

PRESIDENT'S TOUR

Last weekend saw the ladies disappear from the area in vast numbers. There had not been an alien take over, just Gloria Dugmore taking the girls away on a tour to Cleveland. Starting off at 8 am, the atmosphere was quite happy, but no doubt you have heard about the unfortunate accident that caused them to be delayed by nearly four hours on the motorway. It seems that rather than be down-hearted about the hold up, it was quite enjoyable. Now, having spent many an hour stuck on motorways in my past, I cannot see what they could do to make it enjoyable, but then again, look at some of the ladies who were on the bus. The mind begins to boggle at the thought.

Although missing out on the first game scheduled for the Friday afternoon, they did have a great time, and looking at some of the bags under certain ladies' eyes, I fear some had a better time than others.

I cannot get any information as to what actually went on during the weekend, as my normally reliable sources of information have clammed up on me. There must be someone somewhere who went on the tour who is willing to spill the beans and tell me all the gory details of who did what, who was under the weather etc. Come on, don't be shy, I promise not to tell anyone, except of course you the readers. If no one comes forward, we can only assume that they have something to hide, and will have to start our own rumours.