The morning was dry, but a bit overcast; any brightness was inside the coach taking the club members on their anniversary tour to Exmouth. As usual, Graham was acting as entertainment organiser for the tour, and the song sheets were distributed as you got on. From then on you were haunted, with 'that' voice coming from nowhere asking: 'Have you got all your sheets?' This was followed by renditions of the various songs, not much fun I can tell you at all hours of the night or morning. The evening was left free, which of course meant everyone in the bar and Graham in full flow of the jokes and the singing.
Sunday morning saw most of us on a cruise up the river Ex, while the rest checked out the charity shops.
The afternoon saw the first game against the Madeira Club. Things looked great, until a certain 'carpenter' in the team realised that his wife Alma had not packed his white trousers, not his fault you see.
Anyway the game got underway, we stopped for tea and things were looking good, on most rinks at least. Out we went after a welcome drink, non-alcoholic I promise - that came after. Two ends later and the heavens opened and the wind came. Commonsense then prevailed and the game was abandoned.
You could only admire president John Dugmore, for rather than see anyone else embarrassed by collecting the loser's apron and sombrero, presented after dinner, he allowed his rink to be the weakest rink. Well, that is how he tells the tale.
Monday morning and another trip round the charity shops; I lost count after 20.
The afternoon game was against Sidmouth. Things did not go our way and resulted in the only loss of the tour.
Top honours for best rink went to captain for the day, Ken Grace, ensuring that none of the members were embarrassed again. Gloria Dugmore tried her best to take on the mantle of the weakest rink (believe that if you will).
The evening in the hotel was a Country and Western night, hence all the visits to the charity shops. Out came the stetsons and guns and one particular lady who thrilled all the men by turning out in shapely leather trousers. I can tell you it brought colour to my cheeks. Having been married to her all those years, you could say I saw another side to her.
We saw another side to Roy Kennion also. Someone spilled beer over his trousers and quick as a flash Roy stripped off. The cameras were also out in a flash, so to speak, to record the incident.
Tuesday's game was against Budleigh Satterton. Unfortunately, John Lawrence had to get a sub after just a few ends, and Ray Holly at half-time had to call on a bit of experience in the shape of John Dugmore. Julia King-Thomas repeated her heroics of Sunday to gain top rink, while Dave Robb's rink tried hard to avoid the aprons, just losing out.
Wednesday saw the weather at long last change for the better and the trip to Seaton was looked forward to as it is a beautiful setting.
Top rink went to Ken Grace yet again, while taking the aprons were Mike Gouldingay and his crew.
Thursday saw the trip to the Topsham Club, where another cracking sunny day on a lovely green saw Terry Preston's rink get the kitty, while Julia found herself trying on the aprons for size.
The evening saw the club providing the entertainment. As usual, the ladies excelled. The opening number of Cabaret was slickly presented. Alwen Hughes as Judy Garland and 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' received a great ovation, but the Song Sisters will never be the same again.
The menfolk were not to be outdone. 'South Pacific' was rendered to howls of laughter. Graham Hughes regaled us with his Prince Charles, while Graham and John as Renee and Renata nigh on pulled the house down. A marvellous night of entertainment, much enjoyed by all.
Friday was a scorcher and the visit to Exeter in the morning for shopping prior to the game was relaxing. The journey to the ground, a matter of only 10 minutes walking distance, became a marathon of one hour, thanks to various navigators getting it completely wrong. When you have seen the train station four times in five minutes it gets boring.
Eventually we arrived and enjoyed a glorious day. Once again John Dugmore made sure that nobody was embarrassed, taking their aprons yet again. Top rink on the day was Dave Robb's gang. The evening was the gala dinner when John made various presentations.
The journey home saw everyone agreeing that the tour arrangements were once again superb. A thoroughly enjoyable, though tiring, time had been had by all thanks to John's arrangements and Graham's entertainment throughout the whole week. All asked when and where are we going next year? Thanks must also go to those players from other clubs who came along to support the tour.
DIVISION ONE
ST. ISSELL'S 48 (0 pts) SAUNDERSFOOT 112 (14 pts)
History was made last Sunday when the club's two men's teams met on the green in a first division match. The weather was brilliant and the play from Saundersfoot was, to say the least, scintillating at times. They have obviously decided to carry on as they finished last season, despite losing about six of their players for various reasons.
Hopefully, the St. Issell's squad will have learned some vital lessons. Some players were obviously under the impression that life would be as easy as it was in the second division. The club mates showed them just how big the gap between the two leagues is.
Although not totally disgraced, it was a struggle for most from the off.
John Dugmore's rink managed to keep Berwyn Dennis tight, thanks mainly to Roy Kennion showing great skills at the front and the 'Old Man' showing some silky touches as skip.
Rink scores (St. Issell's first):
D. Stokes, D. Newton, H. Jones, D. Robb 10; B. Deeley, K. Taylor, Mac Brace, Don Poole 29.
M. Gouldingay, T. Osborne, J. Shields, D. Roberts 13; R. Brabon, J. Roberts, T. Cummings, Dave Poole 27.
P. Bissell, D. Greaves, J. Moffat, A. Brace 8; A. Brain, M. Brace, M. Dennis, S. Poole 36.
R. Kennion, J. Badham, D. Howells, J. Dugmore 17; G. Hughes, G. Cavell, P. Blayney, B. Dennis 20.
A VIEW FROM
THE OTHER SIDE!
Saundersfoot's first league game kicked off on Sunday with the clash against St. Issell's (writes the Ferret). With both teams looking to get off to a good start to the season, there was plenty of shouting and rivalry between the two.
In the end, the Saundersfoot side produced a solid performance to run out comfortable winners by 112 shots to 48.
Rink one performed extremely well as a jet-lagged Tony played well and Ronnie and John put in good performances. David Poole also had a very good game, but we were not sure whether he was trying to impress the selectors, or his wife Rachel at the end of the rink.
Rink two saw Brian Deeley having a brilliant game. Keep the form up Brian - just a pity about the rugby shirt... don't forget the dress code! Alongside him, Ken, Macky and Donny all did well for the rink to record a 19-shot win.
Rink three, the so-called 'awesome foursome', had a good performance all round. It was nice to see that Myrddin Dennis had done some work on his fitness and lasted throughout the game. Steve Poole was not his usual loud self, but he still put a good game together. And A. Brain, please try and turn up earlier, not five minutes before the game.
Rink four saw a lot closer game, yet the two points still went to Saundersfoot, with a solid game from Berwyn Dennis. The captain, Paul Blayney, seemed to stay on the rink for this game - keep it up Paul. George and Graham were not at their best, but they gave 100 per cent - keep it up lads.
Here is a clue to the Ferret. Ferrets run fast, but I cannot. Am I mum or even a pop, male or female not just yet, I have four woods in my set.
A TIGHT MYSTERY
An explanation is looked for after the discovery on Monday morning in the lounge of a pair of black fishnet tights. Now various suggestions were being bandied about, some repeatable, most not. Would the owner please be brave enough to report to John Dugmore. Unfortunately, he will not take your word for it and will require to oversee the fitting.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Saturday, May 11: St Issell's v Haverfordwest (division one).
Sunday, May 12: Saundersfoot v Pembroke Dock (division one); Saundersfoot v Pembroke Dock (ladies league).
Tuesday, May 14: Pembroke Dock B v St. Brides (division two).
Wednesday, May 15: Pembroke Dock v Saundersfoot (Carruthers Cup); Pembroke Dock v Saundersfoot (ladies league).
MANAGEMENT MEETING
There will be a management meeting on Sunday at 7 pm in the pavilion. Please would all members make every effort to attend.
NARROW BIAS