Two Saundersfoot Bowling Club members have just returned from representing Wales at the fifth European Team Bowls Championships in Portugal. Senior internationals, Ann Lewis and John Roberts were two of the Welsh representatives chosen for the six-day event in Vilamoura. In addition to Wales, 12 other countries, some of which featured next year's Commonwealth Games players, plus a European Select squad, competed in the competitions which took the format of six singles and six mixed pairs matches. Although basking in sunshine for most of the week, heavy rain on the opening day led to the greens being heavy and tricky. However, the standard of bowling remained exceptionally high and spectators were treated to a feast of keenly fought contests. Ann and John, who joined forces in the mixed pairs, along with team-mates Anne Greenaway and Mike Prosser, all gave good accounts of themselves and Wales were leading the table after the first two days. With the event going right to the wire, Scotland were the eventual winners, with Wales finishing in fifth place.
STARS OF THE FUTURE
When you turn over in your nice warm bed tomorrow morning, deciding to have another hour or so of slumber, spare a thought for four of our junior members who will be up at the crack of dawn, making their way to Mountain Ash, ready to play in a Welsh match. West Wales versus East Wales is, I am sure, the start of a very successful future in bowls for these youngsters. While Mathew Dick has already tasted the limelight to some extent, being in the Welsh Under 16 squad for two years now, with Sam Anderson joining it last year, for Dana Rogers it is her first outing at this level, although many will say that it is not before time. Coolness itself, Dana will take it all in her stride. However, for young Liz Goldwait, it is an amazing step to be taking. She only took up the game at the latter end of the outdoor season, but impressed everyone, including her coaches, with her enthusiasm and willingness to learn. And when she went up to Heatherton, she took to the indoor circuit like a duck to water. When another name was required to make up the rink, it was the selectors themselves who had a look at the girls in action and decided that Liz had what it takes to fill the vacancy. A couple of the younger girls were also considered, but it has been decided that they will be given their opportunity to impress during the under 16 competitions. So tomorrow morning in the still dark dawn, yawning their heads off, I am sure everyone in the area will be wishing them well, and hoping that they do Pembrokeshire and Heatherton proud.
MEMORY LOSS
You have all heard the old saying, that memory loss is down to old age. We all deny it at times, but read this story and then start to worry. A certain lady bowler who lives not a million miles from me, the other night was preparing to go out to the bingo. Earlier in the day she had made a cake for one of her gentlemen friends (yes, I know, terrible isn't it!). Anyway, as she disappeared out the door, her hubby noticed the cake still lying in the carrier bag on the side table. Dutifully dashing out to her, he handed over the bag. Returning to take a hot shower before settling down with a large scotch to watch the match on TV, the phone rang. It was his wife: "Will you go out and see if that cake is outside, it is not in the car, I have checked everywhere?" Being a dutiful soul, out he went in the pouring rain, up to where the car was parked, and lo and behold, lying on the pavement was the said bag containing the cake. Now, I ask you, is this lady safe to be allowed out on her own?
LADIES LEAGUE
The Saundersfoot Ladies entertained their fellow bowlers last week in the pavilion, following their brilliant hat-trick of league wins. As is normal, the winning club hosts the final meeting and puts on a bit of a buffet and show. At the finish, hopefully all will manage to get home reasonably safe, if not slightly merrier than when they entered. I understand that the food tables were literally groaning with the amount of food on them. Obviously the diets, if there were any, were forgotten on the night as very little was left for the mice to enjoy. The various clubs and members who put on the entertainment were at their bawdiest best; it is amazing what these women get up to when us men are away. It must have been a good night. I hear tell the sales of Andrews Liver Salts went through the roof next day.
WHIST EVENING
It was business as usual last Monday for the weekly whist, with still plenty of room for anyone wishing to come along and join the happy throng. We had four-and-a-half tables running, with plenty of laughter to help the cards along. Taking the top honours with highest score was Gladys Irvine, leading the ladies home at a gallop was Heather Buckley as first lady, while losing out by a short head as second lady was Hilda Harvey. The menfolk had their own classic race. Leading the field home was Steve Dick as first gent, while beaten by a short head into second gent place was Graham Brace. The first half top scorer was Frank Buckley and the second half winner was Mabel Whittaker. The much coveted booby prize was claimed by Bill Whittaker, with Viv Dick having to make do with the longest sitter prize. The evening raffle prizes were claimed by Graham Brace and Mabel Whittaker.
100 CLUB DRAW
The draw for the cash in the 100 Club draw took place during the Ladies League social evening last week. One person who must look forward to this draw every month is John Jenkins, who once again found his number drawn from the hat first to claim the first prize. Winners were as follows: number 20 - John Jenkins (£25); number 62 - Gwenda Rees (£10).