Could the fact that the outdoor season is practically at an end have anything to do with the green being nigh on deserted all week?
It was more like the Marie Celeste, apart from the Tuesday triples, which even at this late stage of the season, is bringing in five full rinks of players, testament to the popularity of this weekly get-together.
There was still the touch of excitement in the air, even at this stage. Jim Davies was out in front with 20 points when he went off on holiday, probably pretty confident that he had the shield in his grasp.
But sitting quietly in the background was Peter Lewis, on 18 points. Last week was the last scoring triples, and Peter needed to win to ensure his name on the shield. No one was more delighted than him when he got the necessary win. But it all came down to a countback on previous shots scored, and that's one of the reasons that Joyce always keeps the old cards, just in case this type of finish comes about.
Jim, meanwhile, will have to wait until next year to have another bash at getting his name the coveted shield.
The funny thing about the Tuesday triples get-together and probably the reason that it is so popular, is the trophy has never been won by the same person twice. The newest of bowlers can win this event; all they have to do is turn up every Tuesday during the season and hope to get in a strong team.
THE GOOD LIFE
Remember the programme 'The Good Life', where a couple of people went back to communing with nature? A lot of folk decided to have a go at this sort of lifestyle after watching the programme. Even Prince Charles got everyone interested when he told us that talking to plants helped them to get bigger and better.
Roy Kennion, I feel, is taking it to the extreme though. The story I have is that last week he decided to throw his arms about a bush, give it a big hug and tell it how much he loved it. The only trouble was that he was up on a step-ladder.
His forward roll and triple salko ended up with him having a six-inch piece of wood impaled in his arm.
Roy reckons his only words were 'Oh dear, how painful'. Anyway, a visit to the doctor's meant no bowls for a few weeks and his arm bandaged, and when he looks at you with those spaniel eyes, you cannot help but give him sympathy.
SAUNDERSFOOT 116 AMMANFORD 122
This was a long-awaited friendly, as a number of the visitors are well known to the area, coming down for the club's Open Week, and also from the indoor circuit.
Originally set for a six mixed rinks, it was altered at the last minute to six rinks of men.
John Evans had Don Howells, Brian Pritchard and Don Stokes as his rink and it was all very close until the very last when they managed to slip home five-shot winners.
John Dugmore had Derek Newton, Gwynfor Davies and young Gareth Phillips in his rink. This was another tight game, looking set to go right to the wire, and when it did, the home team lost out by five shots this time.
Mike Gouldingay, with Les Davies, Peter Lewis and Jim Cleaver as back up, was having a real old tussle. Two dropped counts of three on the 17th and 18th ends saw them go four shots behind, but a one and three brought them back into the battle.
It was all down to the last end, with everyone else having finished and already in the bar watching closely. The home team were two shots in front overall and all Mike's lads had to do was keep their heads. They did not lose their heads, but a disastrous last end saw them drop a five and instead they lost the game.
There were no recriminations though; this was a friendly, everyone tried their best and had a smashing day amongst friends. The bowling was of the highest standard, as you would expect from a visiting team who for the past couple of years had been playing in the premier division of bowls. Saundersfoot may have been beaten, but they were not disgraced.
Dave Robb had John Tombs, fast making a name for himself at third, John Austin at two and David Williams at lead. By the end of the game, John Tombs was, to say the least, getting rather frustrated. He reckoned that the visitors had used up their quota of luck, and wicks. Time and again the home team were holding a count, only for the visitors' skip to slip in a wick off a loose wood, but that is the luck of the game. It was a tight game and thoroughly enjoyable.
Tony Cummings, with Haydn Jones, George Floyd and John Bingham, was another rink that was run close. At the finish they also lost out by the narrowest of margins.
Dave Roberts, Dave Greaves Jack John and Arthur White, were the front runners for the home team, blending well as a rink and running out worthy 'kitty' winners with a 12- shot margin.
The talk in the bar afterwards was when could next season's game be arranged, with Gwynfor Davies already getting down to filling the club diary with fixtures.
MANY THANKS
Throughout the season the club had undertaken to play the usual 25 or so friendlies. Normally in past years this has meant selectors practically begging people to play at the last minute.
This season has been the exact opposite, every friendly has been over-subscribed with people wanting to play, in fact sometimes making it more difficult to alternate players.
It has always been club policy, where possible, to give first choice to those players who do not get a regular game in league games etc. This season, keeping a close watch on who played when and where, meant a total of 74 players were used in all the friendly games.
A big thank you to all those who played, and I know from chats to those teams who played against us that everyone of them enjoyed their visit. Saundersfoot Club can hold its head up high.
WHITLAND LADIES 26
ST. ISSELL'S LADIES 37
The St. Issell's ladies played their last league game of the season against Whitland, having to start early in the evening so that the game could be completed (writes Hotshot).
They gave their all, as they have done throughout the season, and played some cracking bowls.
Captain Beryl Lewis certainly gave her girls a lift from the word go this season. From last year's bottom of the table, they stormed their way to a fantastic equal third spot (at last count).
Gloria Dugmore led her rink of Amanda Lewis, Mary Cavell and Diane Rigden to a close two-shot victory, while Beryl Lewis had Margaret Robb, Audrey Williams and Lyn Statters, and they stormed home by nine shots.
The St. Issell's girls can certainly hold their heads up high after this performance, and now look forward to next season and maybe even better things.
JOHN AND ESME BADHAM SHIELD
The last of the club trophies to be played for has traditionally been the shield donated by John and Esme Badham. It is played off in a round robin format, and has always been a popular attraction for members at the end of the season.
This year there were 26 entries, playing off in groups of six, with the winners then going in to two groups of three, again on a round robin format, with the two group winners finally playing off for the shield.
The weather stayed fine, despite the weather forecast, and there was some cracking bowling from all those taking part.
The six groups saw Audrey Williams, Don Howells and David Greaves go through to the group one semi-final, with Dave Robb, John Dugmore and Lorna Bissell in the group two semi-final.
Audrey Williams defeated Don Howells, who in turn defeated Dave Greaves, who, to try and confuse matters even more, defeated Audrey Williams, much to the consternation of the rest of the players, who, although out of the tournament, stayed behind to cheer on their favourite.
It was no surprise to learn that it was Audrey who was the top dog, seeing as most of the supporters were ladies.
On countback of shots for and against, David Greaves scraped through by one shot.
In the other group, Dave Robb started off by beating the old man, 'The Fuehrer' Dugmore, obviously getting on a bit now, and struggling to keep up with his younger, better looking opponent.
Dave then beat Lorna Bissell, leaving John and Lorna to play out the last game, Lorna adding insult to injury by beating the tired John.
The final was played in a terrific atmosphere, as had the whole tournament. The laughter, the cheering and good humoured banter was reminiscent of times gone by when everyone supported events like this.
It was a tight fought affair, with both players knowing each other's play. Dave Greaves took an early lead, then went further ahead in the next end.
A count of four for Dave Robb in the third then gave him the edge he needed and he held on to win.
A marvellous day, and it was testament to the togetherness, when the majority of the contestants in the competition stayed behind to have a drink and general chat, amidst the 'shall we say' conversation of the ladies in the corner.
I could not make out what they were talking about, but the tears of laughter must have meant some poor husband was getting talked about!
SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Sorry, still nothing to report from the ladies county tour. I would never have believed the women could keep so many secrets without at least something slipping out.
Obviously the threats from Gloria about keeping clear of the press have worked.
I have tried everything to get you the gory details, from pleading and begging to bribery, but the thought of me giving money away shocked my system, so I gave up that idea.
I can only now rely on one of the ladies that went on the tour to have a touch of conscience and realise that you, the public, require, nay demand, to know everything.
Come on girls, play the game, give us a clue!