It only seems a matter of a couple of weeks ago we were playing our last game outdoors, and here we are already about to turn the calendar for the new year. It is frightening how time seems to fly past the older you get. I feel really sorry for those like John Dugmore and Mike Gouldingay who are really old - time must scare them witless.

Anyway, here we are about to welcome old Santa himself down the chimney yet again. I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all the Saundersfoot members, all fellow bowlers, both at Heatherton and throughout the county, the happiest of Christmases.

I trust that the presents will be forthcoming and you will all be full of good cheer (for the uninitiated, that means booze). To all bowlers, just think folks, only a matter of about 14 weeks until the green opens (give or take a couple).

CHRISTMAS OPENING

Just a reminder to all the members, including social members of course, the club will be open during the festive period in reply to the various requests by members to do so, after the success at short notice of last year.

Christmas Eve sees the start from about 8 pm until late; Boxing Day the bar will again be open, depending on how much the bar staff have consumed! Why not drop in for a quiet quickie while the kids play with their toys?

New Year's Eve, the bar will be open as last year to see in the New Year, opening about 7.30 pm until we have had enough I suppose; and again on New Year's Day after the swim, the bar will again be open, with a warming bowl of cawl to start you off, then you can regenerate the system from the bar stock.

WELSH JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The time is a Saturday morning, the place Bridgend IBC, the event the Welsh Under 16s Singles Championships. The nerves are as taut as a piano string; the nails are already bitten down to the quick, and that is only the parents and the coaches. The youngsters themselves are seemingly calm as you like, although I would think underneath it all the butterflies were playing havoc in the tummy.

Young Mathew Dick looked as if he was taking it all in his stride. I cannot make too much comment about his Mum and Dad, and the two coaches who had travelled with him to give him some encouragement. Mathew was the one trying to calm them down, but after a couple of stiff whiskies, things got under way.

As calm as you like, Mathew took to the green, up against Jason Keneficpt, already an established member of the Welsh junior team. Mathew showed skills above his years; his manners, etiquette and all-round bowling were of the highest standard. He did not allow himself to be nervous. He had the spectators eating out of his hand. Two shots in particular come to mind, one on the 10th end, when he was two, maybe three shots down, he calmly drew an inch-perfect wood with his last to trail the jack and pick up a four count.

On the penultimate end, he again was two, maybe three down. Having been told not to be drawn into firing, he knew with the score at 16-10 and the winner being the first to 18 that he missed he was out of it. Looking across, his eyes begged to be allowed to fire. Getting the nod, he played a beautifully weighted shot to take out two of the three and was unlucky to miss out on the third.

On the last end, his opponent needed one to win. If you wanted to be picky, you could say instead of accepting a marker's call that he was holding one with his last wood to play, Mathew maybe could have visited the head to check. Instead, he played it safe and when it came to the measure he was shocked to find his opponent's wood a good six inches closer.

Despite that disappointment, Mathew proved yet again that he has what it takes to go far in bowls. His opponent was full of praise for him, saying at the end "he scared the life out of me at times." Praise indeed.

The highlight, though, was as the game ended the junior bowls co-ordinator for Wales, who is also the selector for the Welsh Under 16 squad, came over and said that he had been watching and was impressed with what he had seen, so much so that he was calling Mathew into the squad for further coaching. Those words put the icing on the cake.

The planned visit to Pizza Hut for the celebratory meal was put on hold unfortunately because of the crowds, and Mum Viv had a very pressing engagement. I would like to bet that the household enjoyed themselves later, though.

I know that Dave Greaves and I were pleased that we had gone along to support him. He did the club and the area proud, and with his invite into the international arena, I am sure it will not be long before he is showing his talents on the big stage.

With the pairs coming up in February at Carmarthen, who knows, maybe Lee Cowper and Dana Rogers will follow him into the squad? I am confident they have the talent.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

The pavilion was its usual gaily decorated Christmassy look for the club Christmas lunch last Sunday. The ladies had slogged away preparing the food for the hungry masses. At the finish there was not even enough scrapings on the plates to feed a hungry mouse.

It was great to see Steve and Dot Arris had managed to travel to the dinner. Dot, having been pretty ropy for some time, was determined to make it. Despite a couple of scary moments, they eventually arrived.

Once again, the club set the scene for a festive season. Thankfully, there won't be quite as many dishes to be washed up in most houses.