SAUNDERSFOOT 91 NORTHUMBERLAND CLBA 119

It is not often the ladies of the club get the chance to hog the limelight, especially when it comes to county bowls tours, so it was a pleasant and very enjoyable day for the ladies of the club when they entertained the county ladies of Northumberland. It was also nice to see, once again, the girls of the junior section getting the opportunity to show their skills on the green, along with the, shall we call them, the 'elder' members. Dana Rogers, Gemma Amos, Kasha Lanham and Tasha Kinsey played their parts in this game, which the home team narrowly lost. I hear tell that they were a smashing crowd and everyone enjoyed their day. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Northumberland skips only): J. James, T. Kinsey, E. Shaw, L. Bissell 14; T. Burn 17. P. Thomas, G. Amos, B. Davies, M. Evans 10; P. Weir 26. V. Austin, V, Edwards, A. Howells, M. Cummings 14; M. Turner 22. D. Rogers, L. Statters, A. Williams, K. Kennion 19; R. Stocks 7. V. Ruff, K. Lanham, M. Robb, B. Lawrence 21; A. Wilkinson 12. E. Pendlebury, A. Smith, M. Cavell, J. Lee 13; N. Craig 35.

CLUB FINALS WEEKEND

This year, there is a change in the format of the finals of the club competitions, mainly because of the problems in past years when players found themselves in more than three finals. It was nigh on impossible to play them all in one day, which meant hopefully your opposition would agree to play the night before, or hard lines matey, you call in a substitute and after all your effort you lose out on a trophy (providing, of course, that you won). Anyway, this year's finals will be played over this weekend. Mike has organised the games that will be played on either day and only in extreme circumstances will this be altered, he tells me. Starting tomorrow (Saturday) morning early, and running through the day, then starting again on Sunday morning and running until all finals have been played, on Sunday night we will have the usual finals night presentation evening, where hopefully all winners will come along to receive their awards. If you were not fortunate enough to get to a final this year, it is hoped that members will still come along and support those that have.

ON THE MEND

Chatting to Lyndsay Waters the other day, he was quite chirpy for someone that has suffered as he has. Lyndsay asked if through this column he could pass on his sincere thanks to all the Saundersfoot bowlers, his friends, neighbours, family and anyone he has forgotten to mention for all their 'phone calls, cards, flowers and offers of help. As he says when you are down and in hospital, it is a bit of relief to know that your better half has the support of people back home. Lyndsay told me his sojourn in hospital was made easier knowing people were there for Joyce, should she need them, and isn't that what makes being a member of the bowling fraternity wonderful? When you need them, bowlers will always rally round. So on behalf of Lyndsay and Joyce, grateful thanks to everyone.

DIVISION TWO

ST. KATHS 58 (6 pts.) ST. BRIDES 63 (8)

What a way to finish off a smashing season. St. Brides away at Milford were determined to get over the hundred mark points wise, and they did not let captain Tony Shaw down. Everyone played as if their lives depended on it. Well done to all the St. Brides lads, who not only have played superbly for their team, but a good number of them have also turned out to support both First Division teams throughout the season. They certainly add meaning to the word 'clubmen'. Rink scores (St. Brides first, St. Kaths skips only): G. Vigus, E. Gulliver, K. Rowland, L. Davies 24; D. Joyce 10. J. Bingham, M. Dick, T. Osborne, S. Arris 11; D. Smith 13. P. Gilder, G. Davies, M. Carr, T. Shaw 10; D. Mathias 16. P. Lewis, J. Austin, B. Llewellyn, R. Pring 18; D. Warr 19.

FIVE ARCHES 85 (12 pts.) ST. ISSELL'S 69

St. Issell's were at Tenby against Five Arches for their last game of the season, having already secured their place in the First Division next year. Perhaps that is why they came away with just the two points, instead of a bigger share of the spoils, but there can be no argument about the result. The Arches were more determined to get the points and make sure that they would be with their opponents next year. At tea there was only four shots in the game, but the Arches upped a gear in the second half to secure victory. While not wishing to add to his misery, after losing out to Mike Crockford on the green, all the lads in the bar afterwards - both St. Issell's and the Arches - asked if I could make sure I mentioned the fact, that during the game, team captain John Dugmore managed to play a wrong bias. He actually drew shot wood on my rink with it, Roy Powling refusing to accept it! Rink scores (St. Issell's first, Five Arches skips only): D. Stokes, K. Rowland, P. Bissell, D. Newton 13; R. Holly 19. R. Kennion, J. Criddle, S. Dick, D. Robb 22; R. Powling 21. G. Cavell, T. Shaw, G. Thornton, J. Dugmore 15; M. Crockford 24. N. Ruff, D. Greaves, A. Brace, J. Moffat 19; D. K. Thomas 21.

SAUNDERSFOOT 111 HEAVITREE TOURERS 106

The rain looked to be doing its best to spoil a game of bowls, until a rain go away dance by the visitors saw the sun appear and stay warm and sunny all day. What a fun loving crowd they were, determined to enjoy their tour, along with a good game of bowls. It was a pleasure to be on the green with them, and I tell you they could bowl a little bit as well. It is teams like this that make the game of bowls so worthwhile. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Heavitree skips only): V. Austin, L. Statters, K. Blayney, N. Ruff 21; A. Mills 14. E. Pendlebury, J. Austin, M. Cavell, K. Rowland 25; D. Pritchard 14. A. Smith, J. Davies, M. Carr, M. Robb 15; P. Hume 19. V. Ruff, G. Vigus, A. Howells, T. Shaw 12; B. Parks 23. P. Thomas, G. Davies, E. Shaw, G. Cavell 26; K. Joslin 13. P. Lewis, G. Amos, D. Rogers, D. Robb 12; J. Ashford 23.

COUNTY UNDER 35s

Had a 'phone call from county manager Dave Jones to pass on his congratulations to the club's two juniors, Mathew Dick and James Criddle, who both made their debut for the county at Under 35 level last Sunday. It seems both of them were superb and Dave was thrilled with their performance. Young Stephen Jones from Pembroke Dock was another making his way through the ranks. It is only through encouraging these youngsters that clubs will be able to survive in years to come. It is a pity that more of the older bowlers don't accept the fact.

NARROW BIAS