Bright and early the members of Saundersfoot touring party boarded the coach for the trip to Newquay and a week of bowling.
We had hardly settled into our seats when John Dugmore was handing out the dreaded song sheets with dire threats of what would happen if you were found without them.
The journey went well until we actually reached the town of Newquay. I would be scared taking a car through those streets, how Phyllis, our driver managed it I will never know.
Don and Alma Howells were certainly enjoying the start of the holiday. Both had won the bingo on the coach journey, whilst Alma added to the back balance with a win in 'the stand up bingo' (don't ask it is too complicated!)
Sunday saw the first game at probably the bowls green with the best view ever. Looking out towards the sea on one side with the town as a back drop.
Although we lost, Roy Kennion put it all down to the length of the grass, he said he bowled a trial end and had to call in the search party for his wood.
A nasty accident actually overshadowed the result, a certain Scotsman bending over laughing split his trousers from seam to seam, the vice squad being sent for.
Monday saw a short trip to the other side of Newquay. Once again another defeat, but the squad were getting the hang of the greens and improving all the time.
Tuesday was a lovely day with a trip to Wadebridge. President John decided to take us the pretty way, but we should have known some of the roads were narrower than the path to my front door honest. Plus the short journey of half-an-hour became a nightmare hour-and- a-half.
This time the green was better, and we managed to record our first win of the tour.
Wednesday saw us head for Truro city in the morning, the ladies heading for the shops whilst the men, well we followed on as usual.
A smart little, green and again more suited to the tourers and another win came about.
We were beginning to enjoy this winning lark, and Camborne were the hosts on Thursday, although at one point a win was a bit too close for comfort.
The last game of the tour and the best came last. A beautiful fast green at St. Austell and against a number of county players. Everyone bowled well to record out highest victory.
Throughout the week the weather had been marvellous, the bowling had been enjoyable and the company brilliant.
Once again the questions on the way home were 'where are we going next year'.
I don't know how John and Gloria Dugmore manage it, but each tour surpasses the last. Roll on the next one.
ST. BRIDES RESULTS
FISHGUARD 53 (10 pts)
ST. BRIDES 46 (4 pts)
A cracking start to the season saw the team pick up four points at Fishguard. Les Davies and Maurice Brewer skipped the winning rinks.
Scores were:
P. Lewis, S. Howe, J. Moffat, T. Osborne 7; Fishguard 20.
N. Griffiths, J. Bingham, J. Roberts, L. Davies 16; Fishguard 7.
E. Gulliver, R. Pring, J. Davies, T. Shaw; Fishguard 18.
B. Llewellyn, D. Greaves, G. Phillips, M. Brewer 14; Fishguard 10.
BORDERERS 71 (2 pts)
ST. BRIDES 79 (12 pts)
A few subtle changes of personnel and a cracking score with 12 valuable points gained.
Scores were:
B. Llewellyn, G. Vigus, D. Greaves, M. Brewer 11; J. Hammond 28.
P. Lewis, G. Davies, J. Moffat, G. Phillips 23; D. Davies 13.
K. Maidment, J. Bingham, N. Ruff, L. Davies 21; D. Jenner 13.
E. Gulliver, R. Pring, J. Davies, T. Shaw 24; B. Griffiths 17.
PENDINE 76 (10 pts)
ST. BRIDES 72 (4 pts)
Their third away game on the trot and a marvellous start to the season.
Although disappointed in the narrow defeats everyone is on a high.
Scores were:
K. Maidment, E. Gulliver, S. Howe, T. Shaw 11; A. Edwards 28.
S. Dick, J. Bingham, R. Pring, L. Davies 12; S. King Thomas 27.
P. Lewis, G. Davies, J. Moffat, G. Phillips 28; J. Lloyd 7.
B. Llewellyn, M. Dick, T. Osborne, M. Brewer 21. R. James 14.
DIVISION ONE
MILFORD 93 (12 pts)
ST. ISSELL'S 55 (2 pts)
Despite most of the team newly back from tour captain John Dugmore refused to make excuses.
"We were well beaten, but not disgraced," he stated.
The team's first game of the season saw a tricky Milford green favour the hosts. St. Issell's are confident of making Peter Howells, of Milford eat his words at the end of the season.
Scores were:
D. Newton, D. Greaves, A. Brace, J. Moffat 16; B. Howells 25.
P. Bissell, R. Morgan, T. Bevan, D. Robb 10; E. Sturley 28.
D. Stokes, M. Gouldingay, J. Jenkins, D. Roberts 19; R. Thomas 17.
R. Kennion, J. Austin, D. Howells, J. Dugmore 10; P. Collins 23.
SAUNDERSFOOT FOLLIES
The highlight of the club tour as usual was the Thursday evening entertainment courtesy of the members themselves.
A s usual it was a marvellous performance by all who took part. Mistakes were made, which only added to the laughter.
The other residents in the hotel, were in stitches, one actually asking if we were a concert party (heaven help us!).
Five in harmony despite dodgy music score managed to start the show off with a swing, the ladies with Roy Kennion in attendance put Cliff Richard in the shade with 'living doll' as they did with a hilarious version of 'Spirit in the Sky.
Dave King Thomas had everyone singing with hymns and arias, with various other 'skits' making it a marvellous show, well appreciated by all.
NARROW BIAS
SAUNDERSFOOT TEAM
After starting the season with a defeat at the hands of local rivals Tenby, Saundersfoot licked their wounds and came out fighting last week, gaining three victories (writes Spectator).
Playing home to Milford Haven in the Carruthers Shield, the Seasiders gained a 92-shot to 68 win with Merv Dennis finishing top skip with an 11 shot advantage.
Rink scores: Saundersfoot first; Milford skips only:
G. Cavell, R. Brabon, D. Roberts, Don Poole 17; P. Collins 18.
B. Deeley, Macky Brace, J. Smalley, M. Dennis 30; E. Sturley 19.
J. Spiller, K. Taylor, T. Cummings, Dave Poole 21; D. Griffiths 14.
J. Evans, J. Roberts, P. Blayney, S. Poole 24; B. Howells 17.
SAUNDERSFOOT 91
PEMBROKE DOCK 58
On Saturday, the team travelled to Pembroke Dock for what is always a tricky fixture, but in brilliant sunshine, ran out winners by 33 shots, picking up 12 points.
Alan Brain, making a welcome return after a year off due to work commitments, helped Stevie's rink to a 14 shot win over Jimmy Williams, whilst Graham Hughes fresh from his trip down under had a 'good day' with Donnie, playing second in an eight shot victory over Les Davies.
Dave Poole's rink is again beginning to achieve the consistency that saw them lose only twice last season and gave the Dock captain Dave Burns that 'why did I get up this morning feeling' with a 32 shot to 8 hammering.
Merv Dennis though came down to earth with a bump and meeting Harry Hanger on the notorious rink one is always going to be a problem and this proved no exception, losing by 13 shots.
Rink scores: Saundersfoot first; Pembroke Dock skips only:
B. Deeley, Macky Brace, J. Smalley, M. Dennis 13; H. Hanger 26.
J. Evans, A. Brain, P. Blayney, S. Poole 23; J. Williams 9.
J. Spiller, K. Taylor, T. Cummings, Dave Poole 32; D. Burns 8.
G. Cavell, G. Hughes, J. Roberts, Don Poole 23; L. Davies 15.
SAUNDERSFOOT 78 WHITLAND 72
On Sunday, in a keenly fought encounter, the foot defeated Whitland by six shots, picking up another 12 points along the way.
At 18 ends it looked as if the visitors from Carmarthenshire were going to steal the full 14 points, but the lads dug deep and helped by nine shots on the last three ends by Steve Poole's rink, scraped home.
Rink scores: Saundersfoot first; Whitland skips only:
J. Spiller, K. Taylor, T. Cummings, Dave Poole 19; S. Reese 17.
A. Brain, B. Deeley, B. Jones. M. Dennis 13; P. Wills 21.
G. Cavell, G. Hughes, J. Roberts, Don Poole 20; C. Wynne 16.
J. Evans, R. Brabon, P. Blayney, S. Poole 26; G. Thomas 18.
There is no fixture for the Saundersfoot first team this weekend, but next Wednesday, they entertain Neyland in the Carruthers Shield at 6 pm and on Saturday, May 24 play host to the same opponents in the league at 2.30 pm.
Prior to the Saturday game, there will be a team photograph for inclusion on the new web site. So, don't forget to come along if you want to be famous and have your photo on the world wide web!