Things got under way at the start of the annual Men's Open Week in a blaze of sunshine that looked to be in for the rest of the week. At least, that was the hopes of organiser Mike Gouldingay. Resplendent in his bright green plaster of Paris on his ankle and hobbling about on crutches, he was still able to make sure that things went swimmingly, ably aided and abetted by Tony Shaw, his right-hand man. Let's not forget also the umpires who gave of their time to help make things go without a hitch - Tony Cummings, Marion Evans, Derek Newton and Tom Osborne - and some of the other principal characters; of course, the ladies who every day prepared and served hot meals, made sure that there were plenty of sandwiches, cakes and tea and coffee available. All these people helped make the tournament an outstanding success, coupled of course with the players, who made themselves available to play whenever Mike sent out the call. Taking part and shining bright throughout the week were the club's two juniors, Mathew Dick and James Criddle - both had the crowds applauding their skills at various stages of the games. On the Wednesday evening, they were up against each other in the Pairs competition and played superb bowls, Mathew with partner John Roberts coming out top. Next day, James, playing in the Craig Cup, met up with experienced campaigner Mostyn Davies, of Merthyr, and proceeded to turn on the style, winning comfortably. The Singles game between Paul Diment and Myrddin Dennis was a real classic, both playings playing brilliant drawing woods. The previous day, Myrddin had defeated John Roberts, but on this occasion had to bow to Paul's superiority. Dave Greaves did well to get through to the quarter-final stages before going out to team-mate John Jenkins in another close-fought game. Likewise, Don Poole found himself up against Paul Blayney in top form and after a classic encounter was first to congratulate Paul on a good win. The Pairs meetings were also throwing out some great games, with the old-timers John Dugmore and Ray Holly turning back the years with a couple of great wins. Last year's winners, David and Steve Poole, were doing their best to hold on to their trophy. Finals Day dawned, thankfully, bright and hot, though perhaps a trifle too hot for the players. First off was the Pairs final. This saw Dave and Steve Poole, who had won their semi in the morning against father and son Haydn and Lyn Guy, up against the two 'youngsters', Mathew Dick and young John Roberts. This was a real nail-biter until the last few ends, when the experience of the Poole boys wore down the resilience and sheer exuberance of Matt and John. The Singles was all set for a classic battle between the Saundersfoot' club's own Paul Diment and Phil Carpenter. You would not have found anyone willing to take bets on the winner of this one. As it was, Paul won by 11 shots at the finish, Phil being the first to admit that it was not his day. The Craig Cup was being played for the last time and featured the host club's own Neville Ruff and Abertillery's Ray 'Tinker' Taylor. Unfortunately, Nev could not find the style and panache of his previous rounds and came in second. Chairman Graham Poole, in his speech, thanked all for their support, and with Roy Morgan, of the Saundersfoot Sports and Social Club on hand to present the trophies, he told the crowd that the Sports Club would be sponsoring the event again next year, in particular the trophy that will replace the Craig Cup. Afterwards, everyone retired to the lounge to enjoy a buffet provided by the ladies.
OSBORNE TROPHY RESULTS
First round: John Davies 21 Mostyn Davies 3; H. Guy 21 L. Davies S/F 11; J. Moffat 21 M. Dick 12; B. Kingdon 21 D. Davies 8; P. Blayney 21 R. Short 5; R. Holly 21 G. Vigus 9; Don Poole 21 J. Evans 6; J. Roberts 21 E. Davies 6; M. Dennis 21 R. Kennion 18; K. Davies 21 P. Satts 9; G. Cavell 21 R. Taylor 14; D. Jones 21 D. Parfitt 12; Gareth Hughes 21 N. Ruff 20; Graham Hughes 21 D. Newton 11; James Criddle 21 S. Howe 9; D. Greaves 21 J. Dugmore 15; S. Dick 21 D. Stokes 20; J. Jenkins 21 P. Bissell 14; D. K. Thomas 21 H. Andrews 10; T. Osborne 21 D. Humphrey 11; L. Guy 21 M. Davies 9; C. Smith 21 K. Rowland 9; S. Harries 21 M. Donaghue 19; P. Toomey 21 S. Davies 19; D. Roberts 21 P. Gray 16. Second round: John Davies 21 H. Guy 1; R. Kingdon 21 J. Moffat 8; P. Blayney 21 D. Robb 14; Don Poole 21 R. Holly 16; M. Dennis 21 J. Roberts 19; P. Diment 21 K. Davies 3; G. Cavell 21 D. Jones 9; Graham Hughes 21 Gareth Hughes 12; D. Greaves 21 J. Criddle 12; J. Jenkins 21 S. Dick 8; L. Guy 21 T. Osborne 3; S. Harries 21 C. Smith 17; P. Carpenter 21 A. Brace 8; T. Nutt 21 P. Toomey 18; D. Roberts 21 D. Parker 18. Third round: B. Kingdon 21 John Davies 6; P. Blayney 21 Don Poole 17; P. Diment 21 M. Dennis 15; G. Cavell 21 Graham Hughes 14; J. Jenkins 21 D. Greaves 18; L. Guy 21 D. K. Thomas 9; P. Carpenter 21 S. Harries 12; T. Nutt 21 D. Roberts 9. Quarter-final: P. Blayney 21 B. Kingdon 3; P. Diment 21 G. Cavell 7; L. Guy 21 J. Jenkins 15; P. Carpenter 21 T. Nutt 20. Semi-final: P. Diment 21 P. Blayney 20; P. Carpenter 21 L. Guy 12. Final: P. Diment 21 P. Carpenter 10.
CRAIG CUP - SINGLES
First round: L. Davies 21 D. Newton 20; S. Dick 21 D. Roberts 16; P. Gilder 21 B. Llewellyn 10; K. Rowland 21 E. Gulliver 19; N. Ruff 21 R. Kennion 19; D. Robb 21 D. Stokes 11. Second Round: L. Davies 21 D. Parker Ret.; S. Dick 21 P. Gilder 8; N. Ruff 21 K. Rowland 16; D. Robb 21 S. Howe 17; J. Criddle 21 M. Davies 18; R. Taylor 21 R. Short 12; J. Evans 21 G. Vigus 11; M. Donaghue 21 P. Bissell 13. Quarter-final: S. Dick 21 L. Davies 15; N. Ruff 21 D. Robb 19; R. Taylor 21 J. Criddle 13; M. Donaghue 21 J. Evans 17. Semi-final: N. Ruff 21 D. Dick 15; R. Taylor 21 M. Donague 18. Final: R. Taylor 21 N. Ruff 15.
POOLE BOWL - PAIRS
Preliminary round: S. Poole and D. Poole 24 L. Davies and G. Harris 17; K. Davies and D. Roberts 27; R. Taylor and partner 11. First round: S. Poole and D. Poole 24 K. Davies and D. Roberts 18; A. Brace and P. Blayney 29 R. Hurlow and B. Bullen 13; P. Satts and S. Davies 17 G. Vigus and P. Gilder 16; P. Carpenter and B. Kingdon 19 Don Poole and Mk Brace 17; N. Ruff and S. Howe 19 S. Harries and D. St. John 17; H. Guy and L. Guy 31 E. Gulliver and B. Llewellyn 10; D. K. Thomas and M. James 19 J. Jenkins and L. Davies 12; J. Evans and M. Dennis 28 P. Gray and T. Howells 21; Graham and Gareth Hughes 20 D. Stokes and D. Parker 9; M. Dick and J. Roberts w/o M. Davies and J. Norris; M. Donaghue and J. Criddle 23 S. Dick and J. Baggot 19; G. Cavell and J. Moffat 28 K. Rowland and R. Short 14; M. Davies and P. Toomey 24 D. Newton and P. Bissell 7; R. Holly and J. Dugmore 23 R. Brabon and D. Greaves 8; D. Parfitt and D. Humphries 20 D. Robb and R. Kennion 18. Second round: S. Poole and D. Poole 22 J. Davies and T. Nutt 17; A. Brace and P. Blayney 30 P. Satts and S. Davies 5; P. Carpenter and B. Kingdon 31 N. Ruff and S. Howe 12; H. Guy and L. Guy 26 D. K. Thomas and M. James 12; Graham and Gareth Hughes 18 J. Evans and M. Dennis 15; M. Dick and J. Roberts 22 J. Criddle and M. Donaghue 13; M. Davies and P. Toomey 23 G. Cavell and J. Moffat 15; R. Holly and J. Dugmore 24 D. Parfitt and D. Humphries 13. Quarter-final: S. Poole and D. Poole 20 A. Brace and P. Blayney 10; H. Guy and L. Guy 21 P. Carpenter and B. Kingdon 20; M. Dick and J. Roberts 31 Graham and Gareth Hughes 7; M. Davies and P. Toomey 28 R. Holly and J. Dugmore 12. Semi-final: S. Poole and D. Poole 23 H. Guy and L. Guy 6; M. Dick and J. Roberts 27 M. Davies and P. Toomey 14. Final: S. Poole and D. Poole 24 M. Dick and J. Roberts 19.
CARDIGAN 119 SAUNDERSFOOT 102
This annual fixture is always eagerly looked forward to. This year we headed for Cardigan and once again had a marvellous day's bowling, coupled with top class socialising (plenty of drinking before and afterwards). Once again, the club introduced its juniors to the friendlies, eight-year-old Joseph Criddle - hoping to emulate big brother James - and Cherie Morgan making their debuts in their first ever full-length game, and both did extremely well. Mathew Dick, James Criddle and Kasha Lanham also did their bit. A marvellous day in great company. Despite Mike's efforts on the microphone after, I think all enjoyed the day - a bit too much medicinal beverage perhaps!
JUNIOR FINALS DAY
All the club's juniors and any of the school children who received coaching during the school's programme are reminded that Monday morning at 10 am sharp is the time to be at the club to take part in this year's Finals Day. The draw for the various competitions will be made at that time, so don't be late or you could miss out. Remember that a meal is being provided by the club, and the finals will last until approximately 4.30 pm. It is hoped that this year's will be the biggest yet, so make sure that you are there. Parents and friends are more than welcome to come along. You can even enjoy a drink from the bar (though not at 10 am hopefully). Let's make it a day to remember, so all you adults - if your child took part in the schools programme, why not bring them along to the club for Finals Day?
NARROW BIAS