DIVISION ONE St Issell's 63 (2 pts.) Saundersfoot 101 (12) On another warm day, St. Issell's entertained Saundersfoot, who are in close contendership for the league title, with both sides requiring points for different reasons, another top against bottom clash. On rink one, the St. Issell's rink of George Cavell, Dave Greaves, Barry Lee and skip Alan Brace started well, but could not stay with a strong rink skipped by John Roberts and, dispite not dropping any big scores, eventually lost 12-23. On rink two, with Mick Hughes, Peter Bissell, Derek Newton all playing well and skip Nev Ruff having a cracking game, plus the bits of luck they all needed, the St. Issell's side stayed with their opponents right up to the break. They then won the next eight ends, finally taking a five on the last to run out worthy winners, 27-14, against Phil Carpenter's rink. For John Evans, Gwynfor Davies, Brian Deeley and skip Les Davies, it was an uphill battle from the start and with Saundersfoot number three, John Jenkins, in fine form, they struggled to stay in the match, at the end losing 15-39 to the Dave Poole combination. Losing the first seven ends did not help the St. Issell's rink of Ed Gullivar, John Austin, Bryn Llewellyn and skip Steve Dick, and from then on it was a question of catch up, but they could not get to their opponents, skipped by Mal Bishop, and at the finish, lost 9-25. Rink scores (St. Issell's first) were: G. Cavell, D. Greaves, B. Lee, A. Brace 12; B. Jones, J. Dugmore, J. Baggott, J. Roberts 23. M. Hughes, P. Bissell, D. Newton, N. Ruff 27; P. Blayney, P. Criddle, M. Dennis, P. Carpenter 14. J. Evans, G. Davies, B. Deeley, L. Davies 15; G. Spiller, M. Brace, J. Jenkins, D. Poole 39. E. Gullivar, J. Austin, B. Llewellyn, S. Dick 9; D. Williams, J. Criddle, S. Poole, M. Bishop 25.
FRIENDLIES
Saundersfoot 142 Rotherfield 98
This was a beautiful day made for bowls and this mixed friendly was a match played as bowls should be played, friendly and in a good spirit. On rink one, skip John Jenkins and his team where in command from the start and despite dropping a four and a five late in the game, they still won 20 -16. On rink two, Marion Evans and her team of Pearl Thomas, John Bingham and Geoff Vigus kept in contention until after tea, but then they dropped several fours to end the game 22-15 down. Rink three saw Beryl Lawrence and her rink of George Cavell, Brenda Davies and Barry Lee, who were all playing well, take a commanding lead, which they never lost, to run out winners 24-15. On rink four, skip Nev Ruff had Joan Lee at lead, and it was good to see her bowling so well, and with Mick Hughes and Audrey Williams giving able support, this rink was never behind and finished 30-11 up. The top Saundersfoot rink of John Evans, Mary Cavell, Jim Davies and Steve Dick were in action on rink five. With the front three all bowling well, Steve had an easy time of it as he led his team to a worthy 35-13 victory. Rink six saw by far the closest game of the day, with Dave Williams, John Austin, Mike Carr and skip Lorna Bissell keeping neck and neck right up to the last end, only to lose 18-21.
Saundersfoot 107 BP Llandarcy 84
For many men, this was three games in as many days and old bones were beginning to feel the strain as Saundersfoot welcomed BP Llandarcy to the green for what proved to be a very pleasant and enjoyable afternoon. Rink one saw a close game up to tea, but then the home side of John Evans, Gwynfor Davies, Ed Gullivar and skip Steve Dick all moved up a gear, and ran out worthy winners 24-17. There was another close game on rink two, with the Llandarcy side quickly finding the green. It was only on the last five ends that the Saundersfoot rink of Jim Davies, Peter Bissell, Geoff Spiller and skip Derek Newton pulled away to eventually win 20-12. With the Llandarcy side desperately trying to get rid of their losers dragon which moved from rink to rink, rink three was where it ended up, with the home rink of Mick Hughes, M. Evans, Dave Greaves and skip Nev Ruff winning eight of the last nine ends to run out winners 29-15. Once again it was the tea break that changed the game on rink four, with Dave Williams, John Austin, Brian Deeley and skip John Jenkins winning eight of the last 11 ends to take the game 23-14. The Saundersfoot rink of Geoff Vigus, John Bingham, Bryn Llewellyn and skip Alan Brace were up against a strong Llandarcy rink on rink five. The visitors found the run of the green quickly and never allowed the home team a chance to get into the game, winning convincingly 26-11.
Ladies' section
Saundersfoot ladies 39 St. Issell's ladies 35
The two ladies' teams went head-to-head on the green last week in their second league encounter of the season. Saundersfoot just managed to do the 'double', picking up four out of the six points on offer in a closely-fought game. The Saundersfoot rink skipped by Marion Evans chalked up a six-shot win against Gloria Dugmore's quartet, while Beryl Lewis finished two ahead of Ceris Hewlings to bag two points for St. Issell's. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first) were: A. Roberts, A. Davies, V. Edwards, M. Evans 22; K. Blayney, C. Haley, B. Lawrence, G. Dugmore 16. E. Pendlebury, A. Hughes, L. Bissell, C. Hewlings 17; L. Statters, D. Rigden, S. Spiller, B. L. Lewis 19.
Saundersfoot Ladies 31.75 Whitland ladies 34
Saundersfoot picked up two points when they played Whitland away on Monday. Angela Roberts, Alwen Hughes, Lorna Bissell and Kay Kennion ran out eight-shot winners against Cally Jones's rink, while Ann Evans, Ann Davies and Marion Evans, playing a triple, had to lose 25 per cent of their score, and finished 8.75 - 18 down against Hannah Thomas.
Welsh competitions
Congratulations to Chris Haley, Viv Edwards, Ceris Hewlings and Ann Lewis who have reached the semi-finals of the Welsh rinks. They now play four of Ann's Welsh international team-mates, skipped by Kathy Pearce, of Berriew, in the semi-final on Monday, August 28, at Llantrisant, home of this year's Welsh president, Gill Hughes. Chris, Viv and Ann are also hoping to make it a 'double' as they are playing in the quarter-finals of the triples today (Friday). Good luck. Next week, Saundersfoot will be well represented at the men's national finals in Llandrindod Wells. John Baggott is in the Over 60s singles, Don, Steve and Dave Poole in the triples, and John Roberts, John Baggott, Paul Diment and Phil Carpenter in the rinks. Everyone at the club wishes them well. Please note, for all those aspiring to similar success, the forms are on the county board for the men's 2007 competitions. Footnote: Good luck to all the ladies involved in the West Wales Ladies Bowling Association finals tomorrow (Saturday) at Whitland.
Club activities
Tomorrow (Saturday), 2.30 pm: Saundersfoot v Whitland. Can the youthful visitors overcome the wiser heads of the home team in a top table clash? Meanwhile, Saundersfoot Meyrick Owen play Fishguard in another important game if Saundersfoot want to finish in the top half of the table. Sunday, August 13, 2 pm: Saundersfoot v London Welsh. A popular fixture for the indigenous natives to show their skills against ex-pats. Wednesday, August 16, 2 pm: Triples, an event open to members and non-members with teams drawn on the day from those who turn up. Whatever your skill level, a nice way to spend an afternoon. Friday, August 18, 3 pm: Saundersfoot Ladies v Wellingborough. One of the few all-ladies friendly games. Saturday, August 19, 2.30 pm: St. Issell's v Pembroke Dock. Can the bottom team in the league cause an upset against one of the leading teams? If they do, Saundersfoot will be pleased as it helps their title challenge. Meanwhile, Saundersfoot Meyrick Owen play Pendine in their bid to make their way up the league table. Refreshments will be available at all the above games. With only a handful of league games remaining, the season run-in has vital games. Saundersfoot, at home for the last three games, must win all three by a substantial margin to ensure the third title in three years. St. Issell's must get a good result against Milford, their fellow strugglers, to determine who gets relegated.