The Saundersfoot team played host to Haverfordwest last Sunday in what is always a clash of the giants and the game certainly lived up to expectations (writes 'Spectator').

The Seasiders were either nursing hangovers from a Saturday night out or thinking of a curry evening that was to follow the game, but before they knew it the visitors had built up a 20-shot lead.

Inspired no doubt by the watching Saundersfoot chairman, Graham Poole, who also happens to be the county team manager, things changed in the second half of the game, with the Haverfordwest players muttering about things being put in cups of tea at half-time!

David Poole's rink, normally so solid, were 11 shots to nil down on seven ends and had drifted to 16 shots to four on 10 ends, before a run of four good ends, picking up nine shots, reduced the deficit to just three.

From there on, it was nip and tuck, with the visitors' rink, skipped by young Craig Jones, eventually triumphing by the narrowest of margins.

Brother Steve Poole's rink also came from behind, being six shots down at one stage, to register a five-shot win, while Uncle Donnie did the business over PDS Jenkins, finishing top rink with an eight-shot victory.

Myrddin Dennis, skipping against Roy (I've never been short in my life) Fairhurst, played a solid game, helped by farmer Hughes, who managed to sneak away from helping with the silage for a few hours, Mackie Brace (I'm having a wonderful summer now that United have won the league) and John Evans.

This encounter was close all the way through and helped by some outrageous fortune on several ends (honestly, no sour grapes) with Roy's weighted shots, the home team went down by two.

An exciting finish, with the lead changing several times, eventually led to the 'Foot gaining a 10-shot win and 10 of the 14 points at stake.

This was a game that Saundersfoot had to win as Haverfordwest are invariably up at or near the top of the table and to come back from such an early deficit to win the game showed a lot of character and augurs well for the future.

Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Haverfordwest skips only):

G. Cavell, J. Smalley, J. Roberts, Don Poole 26; PDS Jenkins 18.

G. Spiller, K. Taylor, T. Cummings, David Poole 20; C. Jones 21.

G. Hughes, M. Brace, J. Evans, M. Dennis 16; R. Fairhurst 18.

B. Deeley, J. Jones, P. Blayney, S. Poole 23; A. Wilks 18.

As a footnote, well done to John Jones in only his first full season who made his debut for the first time, playing second in Stevie's rink, and acquitted himself very well.

Finally, the curry after the game was very much appreciated and thanks must go to the ladies who cooked, served and washed up!

Hopefully, not omitting anyone, they were Amanda, Ann, Diane, Eithwen, Kathleen and Serena.

Also, on behalf of all the squad, a big thank you to Brian Deeley who runs the bar for the Saundersfoot games both before and after the matches, and works very hard while the rest of us are enjoying ourselves. Your efforts are appreciated!

The villagers now embark on a run of four away games which will have a major bearing on their county championship aspirations.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Five Arches are the opponents and next Wednesday they play on the same green, but this time against Tenby in a clash of the Titans starting at 6 pm.

People in general were rather down last week. Saying goodbye to an old friend probably hit folks more than they care to imagine. Nonetheless, the girls of the club were the only ones on duty during the week, both ladies teams keeping the club name flying. First up were the ladies of Saundersfoot, meeting up with Cleddau for a game that is always close and exciting to watch.

SAUNDERSFOOT 38

CLEDDAU 31

As expected, this game was a close run thing until nigh on the very last ends.

Mary Cummings, at skip for the first time this season, was having a real old tussle with Maureen McCue until the last three ends, when her rink unfortunately dropped six shots in the run in.

On the other rink, things went the home team's way, when Marion Evans, likewise having a battle with county president Ann Thomas, managed to pick up seven shots on the last three ends to record a nine-shot win.

Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Cleddau skips only):

V. Edwards, E. Shaw, L. Bissell, M. Evans 22; A. Thomas 13.

J. James, A. Hughes, K. Kennion, M. Cummings 16; M. McCue 18.

PENDINE 38

ST. ISSELL'S LADIES 34

A scorching day and the ladies of St. Issell's were glad to get a game at long last - although a few pounds disappeared during the game thanks to the sunshine (better than a diet any day girls).

Beryl Lewis's rink were sailing away with the game until the wheels came off in great style and they lost by four shots, after being 12-0 ahead.

Beryl Lawrence, meanwhile, had been having a humdinger of a battle against Betty Pickersgill. Neither would give in, with the net result being an honourable draw.

Rink scores (St. Issell's ladies first, Pendine skips only):

K. Blayney, B. Davies, M. Robb, B. Lawrence 16; B. Pickersgill 16.

A. Williams, P. Gulliver, S. Spiller, B. Lewis 18; C. Jones 22.

FIVE ARCHES 29

SAUNDERSFOOT LADIES 56

On a glorious warm sunny day, the ladies of Tenby Bowling Club entertained the Saundersfoot Ladies, Five Arches playing hosts to Saundersfoot in a cracking, exciting game.

With both teams winning a rink each, I suppose you could say everyone went home happy - but try telling that to the rinks that lost!

Cynthia Morgan is beginning to find her feet in the 'Foot squad and romped home against Vera Williams's rink, while Marion Evans met Alison Redman's rink and proved to be in fine fettle, winning at the finish by 22 shots and picking up 10 shots in the last three ends.

Rink scores (Saundersfoot Ladies first, Five Arches skips only):

A. Davies, E. Shaw, K. Kennion, C. Morgan 20; V. Williams 15.

J. James, M. Cummings, L. Bissell, M. Evans 36; A. Redman 14.

TENBY 61

ST. ISSELL'S LADIES 17

While their team-mates of Saundersfoot were romping home against the Five Arches squad, the St. Issell's ladies just could not master the fast running green, suffering probably their worst defeat for some time. Captain Beryl Lawrence was still optimistic, saying that with the happy band of girls she has, they will soon bounce back.

Mair Marquiss was on top form, beating the struggling Shirley Spiller by 23 shots, while Joan Dorling was having a field day against Beryl Lawrence, winning by 21 shots.

Overall, one of those days that they will want to forget at St. Issell's. Keep your chins up girls, you will bounce back, I know.

Rink scores (St. Issell's Ladies first, Tenby skips only):

K. Blayney, D. Rigden, M. Robb, S. Spiller 10; M. Marquiss 33.

P. Thomas, P. Gulliver, A. Williams, B. Lawrence 7; J. Dorling 28.

ST. ISSELL'S 79 (9 pts.)

FIVE ARCHES 69 (5)

Games between these two rivals over the years have always been tightly run things, to say the least. This was no exception, with the final tally being a matter of just five shots.

Five Arches captain Mike Crockford's words of wisdom in last week's Observer obviously showed fruit. Likewise, John Dugmore wanted commitment from his squad after the disappointment of the visit to Tenby in their previous game. Both were smiling just a little at the end.

John Dugmore's rink, playing against old rival Ray Holly, had a real rip-roaring game. Some suggested that Ray had been blessed prior to the game, as some as his shots were rather special.

Dave Roberts led his lads against Roy Powling and helped by picking up seven shots over the last three ends to win by 13.

Dave Robb and the other Dave (King Thomas style) were another rink playing it tight, the very last wood touching the jack onto the Arches' wood to share the spoils. Someone suggested it was a fair result, but I would not say that to the home team.

Meanwhile, John Moffat and his happy band found the going a wee bit tough against the effervescent Mike Crockford's boys. Disastrous 16th to 18th ends saw them lose nine shots, which helped Mike pick up two points.

A cracking game played in a smashing atmosphere.

Rink scores (St. Issell's first, Five Arches skips only):

D. Stokes, D. Greaves, J. Jenkins, D. Roberts 24; R. Powling 11.

N. Ruff, R. Morgan, J. Tyler, D. Robb 20; D. King Thomas 20.

D. Newton, P. Bissell, A. Brace, J. Moffat 15; M. Crockford 22.

R. Kennion, J. Austin, D. Howells, J. Dugmore 15; R. Holly 16.

GEORGE FLOYD

Members were saddened to learn of the death of George Floyd earlier this week. George was one of life's gentlemen, loving the friendship the Bowls Club gave him. The bell above the bar was donated by George and will be a permanent reminder of his generosity.

NARROW BIAS