Division One

SAUNDERSFOOT 89 (12 pts.) WHITLAND 52 (2)   Saundersfoot played Whitland on Saturday in a must-win game for the villagers to keep alive their chances of retaining the County Shield. The Saundersfoot boys went into this game very confident after beating Haverfordwest the previous Wednesday by 46 shots and taking a maximum 14 points. They started strongly and at the halfway stage were 17 shots up and were winning on three rinks and drawing on the other. This lead was extended as the match went on, with Saundersfoot eventually winning by 37 shots. The only losing Saundersfoot rink was skipped by David Poole against Whitland's Matthew James. The Saundersfoot four were four shots up with three ends to play, but they dropped seven shots on the next two ends. The visitors won the rink by two shots. On rink three, Brian Jones, Gareth Hughes, John Baggott and Paul Diment beat their opposing Whitland rink by 15 shots. The Saundersfoot rink never looked like losing and won 13 of the 21 ends played. Rink four saw Phil Carpenter's rink beat Whitland's captain, Chris Court, by an 18-shot margin. The rinks were all tied after three ends, but then the Saundersfoot boys won the next five ends, taking 10 shots. From this stage on, the Saundersfoot boys never looked to be in any trouble. Mal Bishop's rink played Whitland's Glyndwr Thomas on rink five. The Saundersfoot rink were two shots down after 11 ends, but then they won the next five ends to go 15-10 ahead. This Saundersfoot rink was the last off and collected two points by winning by six shots. The result put Saundersfoot 24 points ahead of Whitland, with Whitland having two games in hand. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Whitland skips only) were: Graham Hughes, Macky Brace, John Roberts, David Poole 15; Matthew James 17. Brian Jones, Gareth Hughes, John Baggott, Paul Diment 26; Steve Reese 11. John Jenkins, Paul Blayney, Myrddin Dennis, Phil Carpenter 29; Chris Court 11. Denvor Williams, Don Poole, Stephen Poole, Mal Bishop 19; Glyndwr Thomas 13.  

They've done it!

Yes! They've done it! Congratulations to Chris Haley, Viv Edwards and Ann Lewis who won their quarter-final match against Llanelli's Stella Oliver on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Welsh triples. They will now play Gill Miles, of Sophia Gardens, at Llantrisant. The same day, Ceris Hewlings, will join the trio in the rinks. Congratulations also to all the county winners - Saundersfoot ladies formed a large contingent on the winners' rostrum.

Friendly

Saundersfoot 117 London Welsh 71

On a cool, but pleasant day, Saundersfoot entertained London Welsh on the first match of their tour on Sunday. On rink one, as Ed Gulliver said, he could have thrown his bowls over his shoulder and they would have landed on the jack, and so it proved as John Evans, Gwynfor Davies and skip Steve Dick took command and played well throughout to finish top rink 34-10. Rink two saw a much closer encounter, with the home rink of Mick Hughes, Geoff Vigus, Mike Carr and skip Nev Ruff just keeping ahead of their opponents, who had skip Peter Tottman in fine form. Eventually, the home rink finished 22-18 up. The rink of Dave Williams, John Austin, Geoff Spiller and skip John Jenkins found themselves up against very strong opponents on rink three and lost six ends on the trot to give themselves an uphill struggle which resulted in them losing 13-21. On rink four, the Saundersfoot quartet of George Cavell, John Bingham, Bryn Llewellyn and skip Paul Blayney took an early lead which they never lost. They picked up a five near the end, to run out worthy winners 23-9. Don Stokes, Jim Davies, Brian Deeley and skip Alan Brace had a close match up to the tea interval on rink five, but then they took a succession of threes to move into an unassailable lead, finishing 23-13 up. It was a very enjoyable afternoon, with Saundersfoot wishing London Welsh a pleasant and enjoyable week. They hope they will return in the near future.

Forthcoming activities

Today (Friday), 3.30 pm: Saundersfoot Ladies v Wellingborough. Tomorrow (Saturday), 2.30 pm: St. Issell's v Pembroke Dock - St. Issell's strive to get some points to try and avoid relegation. Saundersfoot Meyrick Owen v Pendine - another important game if Saundersfoot are to finish in the top half of the table, especially after last week's win against Fishguard. Sunday, 2.30 pm: St. Issell's v Milford Haven - last game of the season against fellow strugglers. All to play for to see who takes the drop. Wednesday, August 23, 2 pm: Triples - an event open to all members and non-members, with teams drawn on the day from those who turn up. Whatever your skill level, an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Saturday, August 26, 2.30 pm: Saundersfoot v Neyland - a must win 14-point game if Saundersfoot are to have any chance of retaining the title. Saundersfoot Meyrick Owen v Neyland - thrashed away, can the village side gain revenge for their defeat. There are still eight friendly games to play, plus of course Finals Day, the PFS Mixed Pairs, Ladies' Day, Juniors' Day, and the John Badham Shield, all before the green closes on September 24. Nomination forms for officers of the club will be posted after next weekend. Members who live more than 50 miles from the club should also note the postal vote arrangement passed at last year's annual general meeting. The AGM is arranged for Friday, November 24, but there may be a conflict of dates, so another date may need to be set.