Division One

Pembroke Dock 97 (14 pts.) Saundersfoot 53 (0)

The lads from Saundersfoot continue to struggle with their much changed team, and travelling to Pembroke Dock, returned home pointless after a 44-shot defeat. Captain Myrddin Dennis however, far from being despondent, is hoping that with all the squad members available and the rinks 'bedding in', results will soon improve. Rink scores (Saundersfoot first, Pembroke Dock skips only) were; R. Brabon, J. Dennis, P. Blayney, M. Dennis 14; R. Hissey 27. G. Spiller, A. Brace, G. Thornton, Dave Poole 18; B. Dowling 22. D. Stokes, G. Cavell, J. Dugmore, J. Roberts 14; R. Jones 24. B. Deeley, R. Pring, Don Poole, M. Bishop 7; R. Pointon 24.

Division Two

St. Issell's 73 (6 pts.) St. Katherines 78 (8)

On a perfect day for a game of bowls, St. Issell's entertained St. Katherines at Saundersfoot on Saturday. It was a hard game from the start for the St. Issell's rink of John Bingham, Gwynfor Davies, Ed Gulliver and skip Bryn Llewellyn, on rink one. They however stayed with their opponents right up to the interval, but then lost eight of the remaining ends to finish 10 shots to 22 down. On rink two, the home side of Don Pope, Dave Williams, Mike Carr and skip Nev Ruff,  held a good lead with three ends to go, but then dropped a four and a five. This left them needing to pick up four on the last end to win which they did, ending with the narrowest of victories 22-21. With new lead Lionel Allen settling in well and with John Austin, Barry Lee and skip Steve Dick, all playing their part, this rink took the lead after the interval, going on to win well 24-19. Rink four saw another very close game, with first one team then the other taking the lead. The St. Issell's rink of John Evans, Peter Lewis, Pete Bissell and skip Les Davies however held their nerve to run out 17 shots to 16 winners.

Castle 76 (12 pts.) St. Issell's 60 (2)

What a contrast in the weather on Sunday when St. Issell's travelled on a cold and windy day to Haverfordwest to play Castle. The game started in cold conditions and then the rain came; good for the garden, but not to play bowls in. With number three Barry Lee having a good game, well-supported by Keith Rowlands, John Austin and skip Steve Dick, the St. Issell's rink stayed with a strong Castle side right up to the last few ends when they dropped two ends of three shots to finish 16 shots to 21 down. The St. Issell's rink of Ed Gulliver, John Bingham, Bryn Llewellyn and skip Roy Pring, fell behind right from the start and despite a good late rally, they could not pull back their  opponents finishing 13 shots to 22 down. A strong St. Issell's rink of John Evans, Brian Deeley, John Jenkins and skip Les Davies, were always well into this match, and even losing five ends in the middle they went into the last end 14-all. With the last bowl of the match, Castle skip M. Codd took the jack back to clinch a four. The game finished St. Issell's 14 shots Castle 18. On rink four, there was another very close game with the St. Issell's lead of Don Stokes putting in some good early woods and being well supported by Dave Williams, Mike Carr and skip Nev Ruff. Despite the rain, they took the final two ends to close the match 17 shots to 15 up. 

Ladies' league

Saundersfoot Ladies

Saundersfoot ladies have made a slow start this season, but it is very early days yet! Results (Saundersfoot first, opposing skips only) were: Saundersfoot Ladies 28 Milford Ladies 38: Elsie Pendlebury, Alwen Hughes, Viv Edwards, Marion Evans 14; Margaret Carter 19. Angela Roberts, Enne Evans, Anne Davies, Kay Kennion 14; Joyce Navas 19. Saundersfoot Ladies 40 Tenby Ladies 36: Angela Roberts, Alwen Hughes, Viv Edwards, Marion Evans 29; Vera Williams 13. Anne Evans, Joyce Waters, Anne Davies, Kay Kennion 11; Alison Redman 23. Saundersfoot Ladies 36 Priory 30: Elsie Pendlebury, Anne Evans, Viv Edwards, Marion Evans 25; Pauline Jones 10. Angela Roberts, Joyce Waters, Anne Davies, Kay Kennion 11; L. Hood 20. Saundersfoot Ladies 31 St. Issell's 45: Angela Roberts, Anne Evans, Kay Kennion, Ceris Hewlings 13; Ann Lewis 29. Elsie Pendlebury, Anne Davies, Joyce Waters, Viv Edwards 18; Gloria Dugmore 16.

St. Issell's Ladies

The ladies of St. Issell's played their first games of the season last week, with a mixed bag of results.

St. Issell's 36 Ladybirds 43

Against Ladybirds, of Milford, both rinks lost narrowly. On both 10 ends and 15 ends, scores were level, but the visitors eventually edged home by seven shots. Rink scores (St. Issell's ladies first, Ladybirds skips only): C. Haley, A. Williams, D. Rigden, B. Lewis 19; M. Carter 22. P. Thomas, K. Blayney, A. J. Lewis, G. Dugmore 17; J. Navas 21.

St. Issell's 45 Saundersfoot 31

Playing 'away' to fellow club mates Saundersfoot on a glorious day, only one shot separated the teams after 10 ends and again after 15 ends, but some excellent bowling by Welsh international Ann Lewis resulted in her rink pulling away to record a 16- shot win over Ceris Hewlings. Thirteen must be Ceris's unlucky number as having (coincidently) been drawing 13-all on 14 ends, her rink lost all of the last seven ends. Saundersfoot ladies edged home on the other rink by two shots in a very close game between the rinks skipped by Viv Edwards, of Saundersfoot, and Gloria Dugmore, of St. Issell's. Rink scores (St. Issell's ladies first, Saundersfoot skips only):                                                K. Blayney, D. Rigden, B. Lewis, A. Lewis 29; C. Hewlings 13. L. Statters, A. Williams, A. J. Lewis, G. Dugmore 16; V. Edwards 18. St. Issell's 37 Pembroke Dock 37

Entertaining last season's champions last Saturday, this was a tight game as the score suggests with the points being shared in a drawn game. Rink scores (St. Issell's ladies first, Pembroke Dock skips only) were: K. Blayney, S. Roden, D. Rigden, A. J. Lewis 19; B. James 22. P. Thomas, G. Rees, A. Williams, B. Lewis 18; D. Davies 15. So, a narrow defeat, followed by a win and a draw, augurs well for the games that lie ahead with captain Kath Blayney hoping that although working with a small squad, if players make themselves available, a good season is in prospect.

CLUB news

Jubilee Pairs

On Bank Holiday Monday, members played their Jubilee Pairs Tournament down to a final which will take place in September on club finals weekend. Commencing at 10 am and finishing at 7 pm, all games (which took the format of the best of three sets with seven shots winning a set) were keenly contested, with the eventual finalists being John Dugmore with Paul Blayney and Marion Evans with Neville Ruff. Special mention must be made of young Joe Dennis who with father Myrddin were just edged out in their semi-final match against John and Paul. Joe, although only 12-years-old, played three highly competitive games during the day, each lasting nearly three hours and is becoming a very good bowler. With an excellent attitude and etiquette second to none, Joe is certainly going to be one to watch for in the future. Refreshments were available throughout the day and thanks go to Kath Blayney for preparing the sandwiches.

Club tournaments

Tournament secretary Paul Blayney would like to remind all members that entries for club competitions close on May 19. Please support these where you can and help to ensure that all tournaments are able to be as keenly contested as possible.

Open Tournament

Paul is also taking entries for Open Week which will run from Sunday, July 22 until Saturday, July 28, with evening sessions (as well as Sunday) being available in the early rounds.

GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATIONS

Next Thursday, May 17, promises to be a golden day for two of the club's most popular bowlers, George and Mary Cavell, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Everyone at the club congratulates them on their special anniversary and wishes them both well and a very happy day. Both George and Mary are honorary life members of the club and have been keen bowlers for many years. George has been treasurer for over 30 years, while Mary's dedication to the sport was honoured when she was president of the West Wales Ladies Bowling Association, of which she is still treasurer, and president of the Welsh Women's Bowling Association in 1996. Last month Mary, as current chairman of Saundersfoot Community Council, bowled the first wood to open the green for the 2007 season. Congratulations once again from all the members!