FIRST DIVISION

SAUNDERSFOOT 83 (12 pts)

FIVE ARCHES 71 (2)

On Saturday, the 'Foot entertained Five Arches in beautiful sunshine. The home team were looking for revenge after the defeat by the Arches last year which cost them the title.

On rink two, Mal Bishop's crew were never under any pressure throughout the game and ran out winners by 25-14 with some good bowling by everyone; it was nice to welcome back Gareth Hughes on his seasonal debut.

On rink three, Mike Crockford and his boys came through to beat the home rink by 22-10, with the Arches winning on 14 ends; it was lovely to see Haydn Guy running up the green again.

On rink four, Stevie Poole and the boys were 23-13 up at 16 ends, but with Roy Powling and his men winning four of the last six ends, the game finished 26-19.

Rink five saw a good tussle between Dave Poole and Dave King-Thomnas, with the score standing at 15-13 to the home team on 16 ends. Pooley finally ran out winner 22-16.

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

G. Hughes, M. Brace, D. Poole, M. Bishop 25; R. Holly 14.

G. Hughes, B. Lee, J. Roberts, P. Carpenter 10; M. Crockford 22.

A. Brain, B. Jones, P. Blayney, S. Poole 23; R. Powling 13.

J. Evans, T. Cummings, J. Baggott, D. Poole 22; D. K. Thomas 16.

SAUNDERSFOOT 97 (10 pts) CASTLE 67 (4)

On Sunday, the league leaders travelled to Haverfordwest for a league match against Castle. Having to make four changes from the day before, they just managed to get a side and a big thank you gies to John B for making himself available.

On rink two, the Saundersfoot foursome were leading 8-6 on the seventh end, but a run of 16 shots in six ends for Castle, with some good bowling by skip Andrew John, saw them go ahead 23-12. A good fightback from the 'Foot, however, eventually cut the deficit to just two shots at the end, 24-22.

On rink three, Stevie Poole and the boys were 13-13 after 13 ends, but pulled away to win nicely by 27-15. Brainy was struggling to find it, so a big thank you to Brian and Paul.

Rink 4 produced the result the 'Foot wanted and with all the boys bowling well they ran out winners 30-9.

The last rink saw a tight battle all the way through. At 17 ends the 'Foot were leading 15-14, but finally went down 19-18. With Pooley having to get three to draw and four to win on the last end, he could only get a two and was a little unlucky.

Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Castle skips only):

Graham Hughes, K. Davies, M. Brace, P. Carpenter 22; A. A. John 24.

A. Brain, B. Jones, P. Blayney, S. Poole 27; R. Price 15.

B. Deeley, Gareth Hughes, D. Poole, M. Bishop 30; J. Jones 9.

J. Evans, T. Cummings, J. Baggott, D. Poole 18; D. Phillips 19.

ST. ISSELL'S 62 (4 pts) WHITLAND 85 (10)

Oh the agony of it all, so near and yet so far, that was the cry from the St. Issell's lads after this encounter against the high-flying Whitland lads.

At the finish they were grateful to pick up four points, until that is they heard about Saundersfoot dropping four points to near rivals of St. Issell's, Castle. It means that St. Issell's are still above Castle in the ratings, but only just. When the two teams meet, it could be a real struggle to survive.

Once again John Moffat's rink came out on top, defeating Peter Wills and his gang, while Dave Robb's lads had a real ding dong against the ever-exuberant Chris Court; it could have been anyone's game right to the last wood. The most excited player on the green was young James Criddle who showed all the temperament of a seasoned campaigner, on his debut in the first division. He played some cracking woods to make it a day to remember, especially when his rink won, albeit by one shot.

St. Issell's just need a bit of stability. Unfortunately due to ill health etc, they are relying on the St. Brides lads to help them out. Once things settle down, I am sure they will climb away from the bottom of the table.

DIVISION TWO

ST. BRIDES 81 (12 pts) GOSCAR 79 (2)

Still on a high after picking up points in their previous game, the Saints were set on collecting some more praise from their captain Tony Shaw. Although not at the game through ill health, I hear tell Elaine had to tie him down, he wanted to get down to watch so much (say no more Elaine!).

Anyway the result could only have helped his recovery, as stand-in captain Gwynfor Davies led by example, followed closely by Les Davies and Roy Pring.

At one stage they looked like walking away with the game, but a fighting performance from Ted Brutnell's lads saw them claw the scores back only to lose at the end by two shots, the experienced Lewis Hilling showing the younger element he still has the magic touch.

It was a cracking enjoyable game to watch, and both teams did themselves proud.

Rink scores (St. Brides first, Goscar skips only):

L. Waters, J. Criddle, S. Dick, S. Arris 12; L. Hilling 23.

P. Lewis, K. Maidment, B. Llewellyn, R. Pring 21; H. Meads 17.

J. Bingham, M. Dick, M. Carr, L. Davies 21; J. Hubbard 18.

N. Griffiths, J. Austin, K. Rowlands, G. Davies 27; S. Taylor 21.

LADIES

SAUNDERSFOOT 44 PEMBROKE DOCK 37

The village girls wanted to get back into winning ways sooner rather than later, and although the Dockers gave them a battle, they just about managed to hang in there to take the spoils.

Both rinks had tight games, none more so than Marion Evans and her girls. Up against a rink with just three players, they knew that their opponents would lose a quarter of their score at the end, and when they dropped a six count on the 17th end, it was backs to the wall. Fortunately they won the remaining four ends with a four on the last to scrape home.

Lorna Bissell's girls also had a fight on their hands, although they got in front early on and never let go. All credit to Jenny Hissey's gang who made them fight all the way.

Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Pembroke Dock only):

V. Edwards, C. Griffiths, K. Kennion, L. Bissell 21; J. Hissey 17.

J. Lee, A. Davies, M. Cummings, M. Evans 23; C. Bethwaite 15 (quarter of score forfeited).

LADIES OPEN WEEK TOURNAMENT

Wednesday saw the start of the annual Ladies Open Week at Saundersfoot. Now a fixture in the ladies' bowls calendar, it is a treat to get down to green and watch the ladies show off their skills.

Although entries are a bit down on last year, Gloria once again has organised things to a fine tee. If you fancy seeing the best ladies in the county strut their stuff, so to speak, why not get down and watch the finals tomorrow - you will not be disappointed.

NARROW BIAS