Saundersfoot/TENBY LADIES (93) NORTHANTS COUNTY LADIES (102)

They say there is a first time for everything, and certainly in the past 10 years this was the first time both Tenby and Saundersfoot Ladies have played as a combined team. I have no doubt it has happened at some time in the past years, but recently it was a first, and from the feedback from those that either played in the game, or went along to watch, the atmosphere was great. So well done ladies, perhaps you should do it more often. As the score shows, it was a close run thing. The visitors had some top guns playing with them, but found it a battle. They were full of compliments for the green, and groundsman Chris and his faithful stalwart Gerald deserve every credit for the condition. Overall, the home team only managed to win on one rink and draw on one, the visitors taking the honours elsewhere. But, as has been said on many an occasion, at the end of the day, the score was immaterial; the friendships formed will be lasting. Rink scores (Tenby/Saundersfoot first, Northants skips only) were: C. Haley, J. Waters, D. Rigden, S. Spiller 25; B. Manning 9. J. Lee, E. Shaw, M. Robb, K. Kennion 11; J. Bryant 20. K. Blayney, B. Davies, A. Davies, V. Edwards 10; C. Barbour 20. L. Delabertouche, G. Brutnell, A. Owens, A. Redman 18; B. Hazell 22. M. Skyrme, G. Beeken; P. Barnikel, J. Dorling 16; I. Causs 16. V. Roberts, M. Draper, L. Evans, M. Marquiss 13; E. Winters 15.

ST. ISSELL'S 75 (6 pts.) NEYLAND 80 (8)

This result was a bitter pill for the St. Issell's lads to swallow. Their best ever start to the league campaign came to a shuddering halt, despite the fact that they won on three of the four rinks. Unfortunately, the John Jenkins-led rink received a battering from Gordon Robson and his merry men, only managing to win four shots in the game. A devastating 22-shot defeat meant that the other rinks, although winning, had to do it in style, but try as they might, it just did not come off. In fact, captain John Moffat's rink were in danger of losing out also, until a great six count on the penultimate end gave them the lead for the first time in nine ends. John Dugmore, with a new front of George Cavell and Neville Ruff, managed to break his duck this season and took the kitty into the bargain with a nine-shot win over old adversary, Billy Barrett. Dave Robb's rink took the initiative early on and, despite a couple of little gliches thanks to some cracking woods from Dave Sutton cutting them down, they won comfortably by five shots. Overall, a little disappointing, but still six points keeps them in the top half of the table. Rink scores (St. Issell's first, Neyland skips only): D. Stokes, D. Newton, B. Lee, J. Jenkins 4; G. Robson 26. G. Cavell, N. Ruff, M. Gouldingay, J. Dugmore 25; B. Barrett 16. T. Shaw, D. Greaves, A. Brace, J. Moffat 23; R. Evans 20. R. Kennion, S. Anderson, G. Thornton, D. Robb 23; D. Sutton 18.

SUNDAY MORNING COACHING

Juniors are reminded that, weather permitting, coaching will be held on Sunday morning at the usual time of 10.30 am until 11.45 am. Please make the effort to attend. A number of new competitions are available for juniors this season and it is important that names are submitted. Any juniors who have not paid their membership fees (£2.50) should ensure these are paid to Dave as soon as possible - although any junior who is in their first season with the club does not pay. Should the weather be bad, and you are in doubt whether coaching will continue, please 'phone Dave on 813542, between 9.45 am and 10.15 am, to check on green availability. It is important that 'green time' is achieved by juniors, so make the effort to attend. The coaches do it, I am sure you can also.

SAUNDERSFOOT 131 (14 pts.) FIVE ARCHES 57 (0)

Saundersfoot travelled to Tenby last Saturday to play the Five Arches. The Saundersfoot team won this game very comfortably by 74 shots and took a maximum 14 points. On rink two, James Criddle, Brian Jones, John Baggot and Paul Diment beat Five Arches' Roy Powling by 23 shots. The Saundersfoot rink won very comfortably, winning 14 of the 21 ends played. On rink three, Graham Hughes, Matthew Dick, Macky Brace and Don Poole beat David King Thomas by a single shot. This was a very close encounter throughout and after the Saundersfoot rink dropped a seven on the 19th end it looked like the home side would take the two points. But this was not to be the case, as the visitors responded well to take a single on the 20th end, followed by a five on the 21st. Rink four saw the Saundersfoot four skipped by Myrddin Dennis beating Bill Bailey by 32 shots. This turned out to be a very one-sided match, with the front three providing a good platform for 'Popeye' Dennis, who had an excellent game at skip. The Saundersfoot rink took a count of seven on the 14th end, with the only non counting wood belonging to Steve Dick. After the match, Steve was presented with the 'Seven Up Trophy'. Unlucky Steve. On rink five, Brian Deeley, Steve Arris, Paul Blayney and John Roberts played Arches' R. Wilkins. This was a close game for the first 10 ends, but after the tea break the Saundersfoot rink won 10 of the last 11 ends, eventually winning the rink by 18 shots. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Five Arches skips only) were: James Criddle, Brian Jones, John Baggott, Paul Diment 36; Roy Powling 13. Graham Hughes, Matthew Dick, Macky Brace, Don Poole 26; Dai King Thomas 25. Geoff Spiller, Steve Dick, John Evans, Myrddin Dennis 39; Bill Bailey 7. Brian Deeley, Steve Arris, Paul Blayney, John Roberts 30; R. Wilkins 12.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

This weekend, St. Issell's travel to Tenby for a league game, while Saundersfoot are at Whitland. On Sunday, there is a mixed friendly against the Valley Dragons, which is always an enjoyable fixture. This team raise a great deal of money every year for Ty Hafan Children's Home, but they can also bowl a little to make things more interesting.

NARROW BIAS