There was double bowls delight for popular local bowler John Roberts on Saturday when he won both of Saundersfoot Bowling Club's coveted Open Week competitions.
John, a member of neighbouring Tenby Bowling Club, lifted both the Osborne Trophy and the Poole Bowl Pairs, with partner Lyn Guy.
John became the third bowler in three years to 'do the double', following in the footsteps of Daniel Davies, of Beaufort, and his grandfather Tom Daniel.
John had previously won the singles event in 2007 and was runner-up in the pairs, with Lyn, in 2006.
With John being in both main finals, it gave tournament organiser, club chairman, Paul Blayney, something of a headache. But it was decided to play the pairs first, followed by the Osborne singles and the Saundersfoot Sports and Social Shield finals.
In the pairs final, John and Lyn played Alan Brain, the only representative of the host club to reach the latter stages, and his partner Tudor Harris, of Pembroke Dock BC. Tudor earned the name of 'super sub' during the week as he stepped in to replace Rod Hugh, of Llanelli, who was unable to play after the opening few rounds.
John and Lyn had a confident start, picking up a five on the opening end, however, their opponents then scored two threes, a double and two singles to lead 10-5 on the sixth end. John and Lyn then went on a shots scoring spree on the next three ends, and with a three, a four and a one, went in front 13-10 on the ninth end. For the next few ends, it was nip-and-tuck and the scores were even 17-all on the 15th end.
The turning point in the match came on the 18th end when John and Lyn picked up a crucial four which was enough to win them the match as on the remaining three ends, Tudor and Alan scored only a single to John and Lyn's double.
Tudor and Alan reached the final beating John Moffatt, of Saundersfoot, and Mike Gouldingay, of Tenby, while John and Lyn knocked out Tommy Nutt, of Bargoed, and Ray Taylor, of Tenby.
While John had a quick tea-break, the finalists in the Saundersfoot Sports and Social Club Shield for those eliminated in the main singles in the early rounds took to the green. They were regular tournament entrant Peter Toomey, of Guest Memorial Club, and Ashley Hooper, club treasurer of Tenby Bowling Club.
On this occasion, it was the defending champion, Peter, who came out on top winning 21-13, just as the rain started, to lift the shield for a third time, after a 21-end encounter.
After a four-hour long pairs match, John Roberts took just 70 minutes to win his second title of the day. He beat five times winner of Tenby's prestigious Gold Cup, David Kingdon, of Llanelli.
David got off to the better start leading 4-0 after three ends, but John replied with a 2,2,1,1, to lead 6-4. Despite dropping a three on the next end, John picked up a three, a full house and a single, without reply to go in front 14-7 on the 11th end.
From there, he never looked back, only allowing his opponent to score another single as John ran out a convincing 21-8 winner in 15 ends.
In the semi-finals, John knocked out defending champion, Tom Daniel, while David eliminated his own father, Brian.
The Osborne Trophy and Poole Bowl were presented by Mrs. Joan Osborne (nee Poole), who was proud to tell those at the presentation ceremony that she was the only lady to have ever won the Poole Bowl - a feat she achieved in 1977 with her brother Don. And believe it or not, on the way to the final, they beat Haydn Guy and his son Lyn!
John Roberts received the trophy and £300 for winning the singles and he and Lyn Guy picked up the trophy and £150 each for the pairs. David Kingdon received £100 as singles runner-up, while Tudor Harris and Alan Brain collected £75 each. The losing semi-finalists in both were given £25 each.
The Saundersfoot Sports and Social Club Shield was presented by club president, John Evans. As well as the shield, Peter Toomey, won £40, with runner-up Ashley Hooper receiving £15.
The tournament was hailed an 'outstanding success' by organiser, Paul Blayney, who was delighted that this year's competitions had seen an increase in entrants on the previous year. He thanked everyone who had made it a success, including the ladies, led by vice-chairlady Ann Lewis, for the catering, Brian Deeley and his helpers for manning the bar, Fred Rogers, who had been umpire all week, groundsmen Chris and Gerald, Alan Brace for setting out the green each morning and together with Neville Ruff for organising all the markers for all the singles matches, Colin Roden, Brian McKehon, Neil Hensman, Terry Lamkin, Roy Kennion and Stew Howe, who had acted as board markers for the finals, together with those who had donated raffle prizes.
He also thanked Mike and Yvonne Llewellyn, of Swansea-based Absolute Bowls who had brought along their roadshow to the club. It had proved a great attraction during the week and he thanked them for their support and kind donation to the club and raffle.
In response, John Evans thanked Paul for all his hard-work and congratulated him on a 'job well done'.
Players, officials and friends then enjoyed a buffet to round off the week-long contest.
Results in the closing rounds:
Osborne Trophy
Second round: C. Jones 8 B. Kingdon 21; L. Stone 21 R. Hugh 9; B. Cole 21 D. King Thomas 20; J. Hubbard 19 M. Griffiths 21; B. Richards 12 G. Griffiths 21; S. Howe 4 D. Kingdon 21; L. Guy 21 T. West 16; B. Harris 19 D. Davies Jnr 21; A. Guess 12 J. Moffatt 21; J. Roberts 21 D. Jones 3; C. Williams 21 A. Hooper 16; P. Toomey 15 J. Jenkins 21; T. Daniel 21 T. Nutt 8; C. Hyde 9 M. Dennis 21; B. Deeley 10 S. Dick 21; K. Rowland 2 N. Ruff 21.
Third round: B. Kingdon 21 L. stone 11; B. Cole 21 M. Griffiths 14; G. Griffiths 8 D. Kingdon 21; L. Guy 21 D. Davies Jnr 17; J. Moffatt 16 J. Roberts 21; C. Williams 21 J. Jenkins 20; T. Daniel 21 M. Dennis 10; S. Dick 21 N. Ruff 4.
Quarter-finals: B. Kingdon 21 B. Cove 9; D. Kingdon 21 L. Guy 15; J. Roberts 21 C. Williams 12; T. Daniel 21 S. Dick 3.
Semi-finals: B. Kingdon 16 D. Kingdon 21; J. Roberts 21 T. Daniel 10.
Final: D. Kingdon 8 J. Roberts 21.
Poole Bowl Pairs
Second round: C. Jones and M. Holmes 15 J. Roberts and L. Guy 20; S. Williams and PDS Jenkins 5 D. Poole and M. Brace; B. Glynn and B. Lee 14 T. Nutt and R. Taylor 26; T. Daniel and D. Davies 22 S. Evans and B. Dennis 8; Stan Harris and D. St. John 12 R. Pring and J. Moffatt 30; T. Wilks and B. Jones 20 C. Griffiths and C. Williams 18; P. Toomey and B. Cole 17 M. Hughes and D. Pollock 24; A. Guess and L. Stone 21 R. Hugh and A. Brain 22.
Third round: J. Roberts and L. Guy 18 D. Poole and M. Brace 3; T. Nutt and R. Taylor 27 T. Daniel and D. Davies 12; M. Gouldingay and J. Moffatt 20 T. Wilks and B. Jones 14; M. Hughes and D. Pollock 9 T. Harries and A. Brain 22.
Semi-finals: J. Roberts and L. Guy 22 T. Nutt and R. Taylor 16; J. Moffatt and M. Gouldingay 11 T. Harris and A. Brain 19.
Final: J. Roberts and L. Guy 24 T. Harris and A. Brain 20.
Saundersfoot Sports and Social Club Shield
First round: Steffan Harris 16 Neil Hensman 21; Stew Howe 9 Bedwyr Harris 21; Dilwyn Jones 5 Peter Toomey 21.
Second round: N. Hensman 10 B. Harris 21; P. Toomey 21 P. Blayney 7; A. Hooper 21 H. Ford 5; J. Hubbard 21 G. Owens 11.
Semi-finals: B. Harris 13 P. Toomey 21 A. Hooper 21 J. Hubbard 19.
Final: A. Hooper 13 P. Toomey 21.
Committee meeting
Members of the management committee are reminded that the next meeting is on Monday, August 9, at 6 pm.
County competitions
Entry forms for next year's PCBA competitions are on the noticeboard for members to sign.
MILFORD HAVEN 67 (0 pts.) SAUNDERSFOOT 83 (14)
Saundersfoot completed a league double over Milford Haven last Sunday when they travelled across the Cleddau and returned home with a sixteen shot win and all fourteen points in a Pembrokeshire Division One encounter.
The match was a closely fought affair with the villagers taking a 10-shot lead after five ends which they had extended to 18 at the tea break but this had been reduced to eleven with six ends to go.
Three rinks were particularly close but in a tense finish, the Saundersfoot boys held their nerve to record their fourth consecutive victory, three of which have come away from home.
It was particularly pleasing to see John Morris returning to league action after many years and being a member of the top rink of the day.
Rink scores (Saundersfoot first and Milford skips only):
G. Hughes, G. Cavell, A. Brain, S. Evans 21 R. Thomas 20.
R. Kennion, N. Ruff, P. Blayney, S. Dick 18 P. Collins 15.
N. Hensman, J. Morris, J. Jenkins, B. Dennis 25 D. Griffiths 15.
A. Brace, J. Dugmore, A. A. Breakdown, S. Poole 19 T. Ellyatt 17.
Tomorrow (Saturday), Saundersfoot travel to Fishguard for their last away game of the season before playing Tenby on Tuesday evening in the first of four home games to complete their fixtures.
ST. ISSELL'S 121 (14 pts.) PATER 47 (0)
St. Issell's also played on Sunday and recorded yet another league win, this time over Pater of Pembroke Dock by 74 shots and taking all fourteen points.
Leading by 13 shots after five ends, the home team then surged ahead to take a 34-shots lead at the half-way point.
Afterwards, the result was never in doubt and a seventh league win was recorded to help cement their place in the top half of the Division Two table.
Rink scores (St. Issell's first and Pater skips) only:
B. McKehon, M. Carr, K. Rowlands, R. Pring 36 A. Duncombe 11.
C. Roden, D. Pope, B. Deeley, D. Stokes 18 S. Davies 16.
B. Glynn, M. Oliver, S. Howe, J. Moffat 36 M. Hyde 9.
J. Evans, D. Reed, T. Lamkin, B. Lee 31 J. Russell 11.
The lads take a short break now and play their last two league games later in the month.