ST. ISSELL'S 72 (4 pts.) MILFORD HAVEN 92 (10)

The wheels have not exactly come off the St. Issell's bandwagon; perhaps they are becoming a bit shaky, but at the moment are still attached. With the weather looking to upset things before the game had even started - a steady drizzle making the green even more tricky - St. Issell's knew that a few bad games could see them looking at the second division next year. And, when a number of regulars declared themselves unavailable for the game, things did not look too clever. But a cracking start saw them up on three rinks after eight ends and looking comfortable. Unfortunately, the rain stopped and the sun came out, and it certainly shone on the Milford lads, as they stormed ahead to find themselves up on three rinks at tea. Things did not get any better after that for the Seasiders either. Dave Robb's rink found themselves 18 shots adrift after a disastrous spell of losing 17 shots in just seven ends against the intrepid Ernie Sturley rink. But credit where it is due, they fought back well to finish just nine shots adrift. John Moffat was up against the quiet, serene Tony Ellyatt, and if that was not agony enough, he could not get his rink into the game at all, only managing to win six ends and losing out at the finish by 16 shots. Gordon Thornton is certainly walking on water since taking over the helm of his rink. With the ebullient Roy Pring at three, Derek Newton at two and last-minute sub David Greaves stepping in at lead, they won their second game on the trot - many thanks to Dave for quickly getting ready and racing down to the green to play when someone failed to appear. Gordon's rink had a great battle against Peter Collins's lads. Just one shot behind on the last end, all Peter had to do was rest out the one wood Saundersfoot were holding shot with and he could pick up a three to win. Thankfully for the home team he missed, and a jubilant Gordon took both points. Mike Gouldingay was another who found himself promoted to skip on the day, up against the formidable Barry Howells, and with Les Davies making a welcome comeback to division one bowls, Mike was hoping his front two of George Cavell and John Austin could help keep the score somewhere decent. When he found himself nine shots ahead at tea, he must have thought his luck had changed (more on that elsewhere), and with just two ends to go and the others all in the pavilion, he was still coasting eight shots clear. Then disaster! They dropped a six count, and when the Milford front end bowled their last woods and were holding three, things looked very shaky indeed. Barry Howells played a blocker, while Mike's first wood was four yards short. Barry tried another blocker and just missed, being about two yards short. Mike then played a wood which looked well wide, only for it to glance off the short wood and drift in for shot. Unfortunately, the words used by the Milford lads cannot be repeated in a family newspaper. I am sure if you ask Mike, he will swear that he tried it! All in all, a lucky, but thankful four points.

LUCKY HEATHER WANTED

Although Mike Gouldingay had a good bit of luck in the Milford game, with a wick giving his rink the two points, the previous week he could have done with a bouquet or two of lucky heather. He had gone back to Birmingham to see his family (serves him right going back to Brum, I suppose). Anyway, while there, he was involved in an unfortunate accident, which did nothing to improve the beauty of his car's appearance. Thankfully, Mike was unhurt, except for his ego, and he was able to drive the car back home on Friday, albeit rather slower than the outward journey. You would have thought things could not get any worse. Wrong! Just as he got to the entry to his road, the car conked out (it seems, unbeknown to him, the alternator was damaged in the crash). Mike duly tried to jump start it back down the hill. It started, but as he turned it round, it stalled again, Eventually his neighbour towed him back to the house. Now that is what you call bad luck, but then I am sure his last wood getting the two points cheered him up no end. If you get stuck Mike, I have a spare set of roller blades which might just fit!

SAUNDERSFOOT LADIES 46 MILFORD 31

The Saundersfoot Ladies are cooking on gas at the moment, storming through the league and taking no prisoners Both the 'Foot rinks were in top form and at the finish were comfortable winners. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Milford skips only): E. Pendlebury, E. Shaw, K. Kennion, L. Bissell 24; M. Simmonds 16. J. Lee, A. Hughes, V. Edwards, M. Evans 22; D. G. Williams 15.

SAUNDERSFOOT 58 PRIORY 20

The 24-hour rest from the previous game must have worked wonders for the 'Foot ladies, as they stormed ahead in this game and never looked in danger of losing it. Marion Evans and her Merry Ladies only allowed their opposition to win eight ends, while in the process they themselves took five three counts, along with a four and a five into the bargain. Lorna Bissell and her gang only allowed seven ends, while they went for the four counts instead. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Priory skips only): A. Hughes, E. Shaw, K. Kennion, L. Bissell 29; V. Absolom 9. J. Lee, A. Davies, V. Edwards, M. Evans 29; M. Manning 11.

SAUNDERSFOOT 50 LADYBIRDS 25

A third game in three days did not deter the Saundersfoot Ladies. In fact, they were on a roll and woe betide anyone who got in the way. While the Ladybird rinks tried their best to stay with the home team, they were on a hiding to nothing, as the 'Foot ladies once again cruised home. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Ladybirds skips only): A. Davies, E. Shaw, K. Kennion, L. Bissell 19; M. Carter 15. J. Lee, E. Pendlebury, V. Edwards, M. Evans 31; M. Coe 10.

SAUNDERSFOOT 112 CHAMELIONS TOURERS 115

Old friends, the Chamelions, are always welcome in the county, and again in good spirit, renewed friendships and gained revenge on the green for previous defeats. A number of the visitors had played against the Saundersfoot club on their tour of Gloucester a few weeks back, and it was great to meet up again. While the visiting players did their bit on the green, those not playing helped to encourage the win by trying their hardest to drink the club bar dry. The laughter and good humour on all rinks is what makes bowls such an enjoyable sport. Once again Saundersfoot introduced a few of their junior section to the game. Young Joe Dennis by this time is an old hand at the game, even playing for the first team on the Saturday. Making their full game debuts, meanwhile, were Katy Waters and Bethan Gosnold. Not only did they bring a touch of youth to the proceedings, but they impressed everyone with their skills - definitely a couple for the future. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Chamelions skips only): E. Pendlebury, B. Gosnold, R. Kennion, D. Robb 15; M. Weers 23. J. Dennis, J. Evans, M. Robb, K. Kennion 21; T. Long 19. D. Stokes, A. Davies, T. Shaw, M. Gouldingay 14; M. Barke 17. P. Lewis, L. Statters, E. Shaw, S. Arris 26; D. King 13. J. Bingham, K. Waters, J. Austin, J. Davies 17; K. Fisher 28. G. Vigus, P. Gilder, M. Carr, P. Bissell 19; T. Gavill 15.

SAUNDERSFOOT 112 MERTHYR RETIRED TOURERS 110

For some years now, the Merthyr lads have regaled us with their entertainment after the game, but on this occasion, even before the game had started, they were singing, and while they did not actually sing on the green, they certainly laughed and had fun. What a cracking crowd they are. Their sole intention is enjoyment, and good heavens, did they take it to the full extent. At the finish, it worked out that Saundersfoot had won by just two shots, despite various objections and several recounts, and for two hours afterwards, the Merthyr lads led the ones brave enough, or sober enough, to stay behind on a great day of bowls and entertainment. If you are interested, the rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Merthyr skips only) were as follows: D. Stokes, M. Carr, T. Shaw, G. Cavell 16; V. Harries 18. P. Lewis, D. Pope, P. Bissell, D. Greaves 18; G. Jones 17. S. Dick, G. Vigus, N. Ruff, D. Robb 21; Davies 24. P. Gray, J. Davies, S. Arris, J. Evans 23; F. Newland 20. B. Deeley, P. Gilder, B. Lee, J. Moffat 22; A. Owens 15. R. Williams, J. Austen, R. Pring, M Gouldingay 12; M. Davies 16.

SAUNDERSFOOT 83 (12 pts) MILFORD HAVEN 76 (2)

Saundersfoot played high-flying Milford Haven recently. With Milford beating Haverforwest the previous day, this was always going to be a tough game for the home side. Saundersfoot were always in front throughout the match, however, and took 12 of the possible 14 points. On rink two, James Criddle, Brian Jones, John Baggott and Paul Diment beat Milford's Ernie Sturley by 10 shots, winning 11 of the 21 ends. On rink three, the Saundersfoot four skipped by John Roberts had a close tussle with Milford's Keith Woods. The Milford rink were a shot up going into the final end, but the Saundersfoot boys held strong and took three shots and also the two points for the rink. Rink four saw Geoff Spiller, Steve Dick, Graham Hughes and Stephen Poole beating Milford's Barry Howells comfortably by 18 shots. All four Saundersfoot players had good games, with the 'Farmer' taking to third like a duck to water. The only defeated Saundersfoot rink was that skipped by Myrddin 'Popeye' Dennis, who lost by 23 shots to the Milford four skipped by Roy Thomas. It was quoted by members of the Saundersfoot rink that, "we didn't play too bad" - the Milford boys must have had a very good day! Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Milford skips only): James Criddle, Brian Jones, John Baggott, Paul Diment 25; Ernie Sturley 15. Brian Deeley, Gareth Hughes, Macky Brace, John Roberts 20; Keith Wood 18. Geoff Spiller, Steve Dick, Graham Hughes, Stephen Poole 30; Barry Howells 12. John Evans, Steve Arris, Paul Blayney, Myrddin Dennis 8; Roy Thomas 31.

SAUNDERSFOOT 80 (12 pts) PENDINE 71 (2)

Saundersfoot travelled for a league match with the much-improved Pendine team on Saturday. With a few notable absentees and the poor weather, this was always going to be a tough match, and so it proved. At the halfway stage, Saundersfoot were four shots down and it was not until the last couple of ends that they eventually took the lead. On rink two, Geoff Spiller, Steve Dick, Paul Blayney and Stephen Poole beat Pendine's M. Thomas by two shots; this match all came down to the last wood. Stephen Poole was three down on the mat, but a great wood brought jubilation to the Saundersfoot four, with Paul Blayney pulling a muscle in his leg by trying to pick Stephen up. Either Stephen should go on the Atkins Diet or Paul should start going to the gym! Rink three saw James Criddle, Brian Jones, John Baggott and Myrddin Dennis beat their Pendine opponents by seven shots. This match was all- square after 11 ends, but a strong finish by the visitors, including a four on the 20th end, ensured that they took the two points. On rink four, Brian Deeley, Joe Dennis, Gareth Hughes and David Poole lost to Mal Evans by eight shots. Young Joe, only 11 years old, had a good game at number two and is definitely going to be a star for the future. Gareth 'Pop Idol' Hughes, like 'The Farmer' the week before, also had a very good game at third. On rink five, Saundersfoot's John Evans, Steve Arris, Macky Brace and Don Poole beat Stewart King Thomas by eight shots. The Saundersfoot boys were eight shots up after 13 ends, but after losing the next five ends, the deficit was reduced to a single shot after 18 ends. Saundersfoot then finished strongly, taking a five on the 19th end and a three on the 21st. Saundersfoot have not got a match this weekend, with representatives in nearly all the county finals. Good luck to all those involved and hopefully this could be a memorable weekend for the club. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Pendine skips only): Geoff Spiller, Steve Dick, Paul Blayney, Stephen Poole 18; M. Thomas 16. James Criddle, Brian Jones, John Baggott, Myrddin Dennis 24. J. Griffiths 17. Brian Deeley, Joe Dennis, Gareth Hughes, David Poole 13; M. Evans 21. John Evans, Steve Arris, Macky Brace, Don Poole 25; Stewart King Thomas 17.