SAUNDERSFOOT 88 PEMBROKE DOCK 86
Saundersfoot played host to Pembroke Dock last weekend with both sides keen to do well with the County League Champions title still up for grabs (writes Spectator).
The Villagers again started slowly and were five-shots down on five ends and nine-shots down on 10 ends.
However, as has happened time and time again, a cup of tea and a biscuit and hey presto, Saundersfoot woke up and the Dock went to sleep.
On 15 ends the Foot had gone into an 11-shot lead, with the rinks skipped by John (Worzel) Roberts and David Poole leading the way but, the visitors have been enjoying a good season and rallied to make it a nail-biting finish.
With only David Poole's rink left on the green, against Jimmy Williams, the result was in the balance with Saundersfoot holding a one shot overall lead.
With one wood each left to bowl and the Dockers holding one shot which would have drawn the match, Jimmy was slightly over weight on his delivery and touched the kitty to a home bowl.
Saundersfoot then gained 10 points from the game, and the next day gained the full 14 from St Issell's in a most enjoyable match played in an excellent spirit, the report of which can be found elsewhere in this Saundersfoot Bowling Club round-up.
Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Pembroke Dock skips only):
George Cavell, Barrie Lee, John Smalley, John Roberts 26; Dave Burns 16.
Jeff Spiller, Ken Taylor, John Evans, David Poole 26; Jimmy Williams 17.
Alan Brain, Brian Jones, Paul Blaney, Steve Poole 21; Ron Pointon 28.
Graham Hughes, Tony Cummings, Don Poole, Myrddyn Dennis 15; Harry Hanger 25.
Tomorrow (Saturday), Saundersfoot play host to the Pembroke Dock A side with a 2.30 pm start.
LADYBIRDS 39
ST. ISSELL'S LADIES 24
On a high recently and pushing to stay in the top section of the league, the St. Issell's ladies, forced into playing a weakened team and others having to play out of their recognised positions, came down with a hefty bump in this game.
Alma Howells found herself playing as skip and by the end of the game wishing she had stayed at home.
Up against a rink with only three players, they only managed to win five of the ends.
Beryl Lewis and her rink fought hard and deserved to pick up two points for sheer effort alone.
Rink scores (St. Issell's ladies first, Ladybirds skips only):
L. Statters, M. Cavell, B. Davies, B. Lewis 15; M. Coe 12.
P. Thomas, Y. Price, A. Williams, A. Howells 9; P. Anderson 36.
MILFORD 34
ST. ISSELL'S LADIES 44
With a team more resembling their usual line-up, St. Issell's travelled for a mid-week fixture at Milford and were more than happy to get back onto the winning trail.
Beryl Lewis up against Margaret Carter went on the rampage after tea, picking up 14 shots in six ends to give them a leeway for the last end, and it showed when they dropped a four.
Ann Lewis had a similar story, picking up 10-shots in a six-end run which just edged them away from the Joyce Navas girls.
Rink scores (St. Issell's ladies first, Milford skips only):
L. Statters, M. Cavell, A. Howells, A. Lewis 22; J. Navas 19.
P. Thomas, M. Robb, S. Spiller, B. Lewis 22; M. Carter 15.
SAUNDERSFOOT 55 PEMBROKE DOCK PARK 35
Riding high at the top of the league, the Saundersfoot girls are in no mood to relinquish that position.
Up against Pembroke Dock Park, they were relentless as they stormed away in the lead.
Lorna Bissell's rink went nine ends before allowing the Park girls to score a shot. It was another five before they got their next also.
The other rink was a different story, Marion Evans finding herself with a battle on her hands against the effervescent Betty James, but 13-shots in five ends saw them draw away and manage to hold on comfortably at the finish.
Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Pembroke Dock Park skips only):
A. Hughes, J. Waters, M. Cummings, M. Evans 28; B. James 21.
J. James. K. Kennion, V. Edwards, L. Bissell 27; K. Cole 14.
SAUNDERSFOOT JUNIORS v YNYSCYNON JUNIORS
The vastly experienced visitors once again excelled on the fast running Saundersfoot green, but on this occasion they found that the Village youngsters were no pushovers.
Both sets of players gave a cracking performance of bowling, and only the experience of the visiting kids gave them the edge.
The atmosphere was certainly relaxed, with a good turn-out of supporters to cheer everyone on.
The ladies served up the usual excellent meal and with few plates returned with anything left on them, I have a feeling that they all enjoyed it.
A presentation was made to the visiting captain by his opposite number James Criddle, and as a couple of the youngsters will be missing from next week's Junior Finals Day, the Clubman of the Year Award was announced.
The beautiful trophy, presented by one of the members, was to be given to someone who was not necessarily the best bowler amongst the Juniors, but to the person who represented the club to its best advantage.
The sponsor who gave the trophy decided that its first recipient should be the club Junior captain James Criddle for the way he conducts himself on and off the green.
An award was also given to Cherie Morgan, one of the newest Juniors who has impressed everyone with her enthusiasm.
Today (Friday) sees the Junior Finals Day, starting at 10 am. It will be running non-stop all day with singles, pairs and triples.
It is hoped that a number of senior members will turn out to give the youngsters their support. It promises to be a great day, and I know the bowls will be of the highest standard. Please give the kids your support.
HAVERFORDWEST
83 (10 pts.)
ST. ISSELL'S 77 (4)
The earlier meeting of these two teams saw St. Issell's at home shock the Harfat lads by taking 10 points from them.
The home team were determined to gain revenge and keep their chances of taking the title from Tenby.
Certainly, although they won, this result did not do them any favours. A little bit of luck here and there and things could have been much worse.
As it was, the Harfat lads were the ones who were in a bit of a sweat at the finish. The St. Issell's lads played out of their skins.
John Dugmore's rink were in front throughout the game and at the finish managed to hold on against Roy Fairhurst for a draw.
Dave Roberts' rink stormed ahead early on only for P.D.S. to get close, but Dave's lads upped the tempo again to win by 10-shots.
Dave Robb's rink had a real ding-dong battle against Paul Jenkins, a last wood take out giving them the two shots to gain an honourable draw.
John Moffatt, up against the 'old man' Dave Jones, had a nightmare start going behind by 17-shots to nil, but all credit to them. John, in inspiring mood, kept them in the hunt, eventually going down by 16-shots.
This game was played in a terrific atmosphere and enjoyed by all.
Rink scores (St. Issell's first, Haverfordwest skips only):
D. Stokes, P. Bissell, D. Newton, D. Roberts 26; P. D. S. Jenkins 16.
R. Griffiths, R. Morgan, J. Jenkins, D. Robb 19; P. Jenkins 19.
R. Kennion, M. Gouldingay, D. Howells, J. Dugmore 16; R. Fairhurst 16.
S. Dick, D. Greaves, J. Tyler, J. Moffat 16; D. Jones 32.
WELSH HONOURS
If you happened to have bumped into Ann Lewis over the weekend and she either ignored you or looked as if she was on another planet, don't take it personally.
It could have been something to do with the fact that she had more or less just been informed that she had been picked to travel with the Welsh squad to play in a test series in South Africa.
A few years ago she went to Israel to play, and that was really something, but South Africa is marvellous. What a wonderful honour and opportunity.
I know I speak for all at the club and I am sure for the whole of the county when I say well done and congratulations Ann.
I would not mind a stick of rock when you come back! Have a great time and take plenty of photographs.
FISHGUARD 38
SAUNDERSFOOT LADIES 47
Looking to collect as many points as possible to keep their league aspirations alive, the Fishguard ladies made the visitors fight every inch of the way for the points that kept them topping the table and favourites for the top honours.
Rink scores (Saundersfoot ladies first, Fishguard skips only);
E. Shaw, K. Kennion, V. Edwards, L. Bissell 23; G. McFarlane 17.
B. Tombs, C. Griffiths, M. Cummings, M. Evans 24; A. Gray 21.
CLEDDAU 37
SAUNDERSFOOT LADIES 31
Although losing overall and winning on just the one rink, the two points gained meant that Saundersfoot after too long a wait have secured the ladies League top spot.
Congratulations girls, and well done to their captain Kay Kennion in her first venture into the position. After this it all gets better.
Rink scores (Saundersfoot Ladies first, Cleddau skips only):
B. Tombs, J. James, K. Kennion, L. Bissell 18; W. Howells 17.
E. Shaw, J. Waters, M. Cummings, M. Evans 13; A. Thomas 20.
PEMBROKE DOCK B
70 (4 pts.)
ST. BRIDES 102 (10)
This result just proves my point - the St. Brides lads are a smashing bunch, relaxed and intent on enjoying their game.
They make friends wherever they go with their intention of enjoying the game, no matter the result, and on this occasion the points landed upon their lap.
Well done again to Roy Pring who must fancy himself as a skip these days, when he led his rink to his second win in a row, and only his second as a skip.
Rink scores (St. Brides first, Pembroke Dock B skips only):
N. Griffiths, J. Bingham, B. Llewellyn, T. Shaw 31; B. Price 16.
P. Lewis, B. Trott, T. Ellsbury, R. Pring 40; S. Davies 9.
K. Rowlands, G. Davies, T. Osborne, M. Brewer 12; T. Partridge 21.
L. Waters, J. Davies, G. Philipps, L. Davies 19; M. Young 24.
ST. ISSELL'S 50 (0 pts.)
SAUNDERSFOOT 103 (14)
After the close run game last week, expectations were high for another close battle.
Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell the Saundersfoot lads that they were to let St. Issell's players a bit nearer the jack.
The atmosphere was marvellous - more laughter on the green than has been heard for some time.
Serious bowling from both sides, but all the same enjoyment between clubmates.
How on earth Saundersfoot are not nestling at the top of the table I will never know. They played some cracking bowls and to be fair the St. Issell's lads did not let them have it all their own way, just a case of the better team winning on the day and comfortably into the bargain.
The St. Issell's lads have one more game left to play in the league on Friday, August 29, against old rivals Tenby. If they can get some of that adrenaline to start flowing again, who knows, they might just be able to upset the apple cart and help Saundersfoot just a little.
Rink scores (St. Issell's first):
R. Kennion, K. Rowlands, M. Gouldingay, D. Howells 9; J. Spiller, K. Taylor, J. Evans, D. Poole 32.
S. Dick, D. Greaves, J. Tyler, J. Moffat 11; A. Brain, J. Jones, P. Blayney, S. Poole 14.