If ever the Tenby team were looking for an anthem then surely Tina Turner's 'Simply the Best' would be their obvious choice this season.

For on Saturday, Tenby Bowling Club's first team, who have already been crowned county champions this year, rounded off a successful season by winning the new Robert Diment Knockout Cup by beating Pembroke Dock on all four rinks.

It was fitting that the magnificent Silver Cup, presented by Mrs. Doreen Diment and her family, who have a long establishment with the Sutton Street green, should be won by a team from the host club in its inaugural year and that grandson Paul, who had masterminded the competition, played a vital part in the Tenby team's victory.

Tenby, sponsored by Jones and Jones Solictors, won by 100 shots to 54, with Paul skipping his rink to a convincing 33-10 win over the Dave Burns combination.

Winning cards were also returned by the Andrew Muskett quartet who chalked up a six shot victory over Jimmy Williams, while Dave Morgan finished 14 clear of Harry Hanger.

But the closest game of the afternoon fell to captain Pat Currie and his boys.

At tea, the rink were 11-7 ahead and were 15-8 up at the 15th end, but Pembroke Dock, skipped by Roy Pointon, scored 10 shots without reply in four ends to go 18-16 ahead on the 19 end, but Pat and his crew pulled out all the stops to snatch a one shot win after picking up a single followed by a three on the last end to ensure victory all round.

At the presentation ceremony that followed the match, county president and Tenby team member, Ben Owens thanked Mrs. Diment, her son Brian and grandson Paul for donating the cup in memory of Bob and paid tribute to the enormous contribution he had made to bowls in Pembrokeshire.

A formidable bowler for Pembrokeshire for many years, Bob was county president in 1955 and a stalwart member of Tenby Bowling Club, occupying his time in all the principal club offices.

"I trust this competition will become a regular feature of our bowling season in Pembrokeshire," said Ben.

"As a knock out cup it is different from the league and doesn't seem to overload the fixture list. The semi-finals and final have come at a convenient time in September and provided competitive bowling when there is often a feeling of anti-climax after the league season finishes," he continued.

"Bob was a Tenby bowler to the core and proud of it," he went on.

"Bob set high standards for himself and expected the same of other bowlers. He was always supportive to me and one of my own most vivid memories was as captain of Tenby 13 years ago coming back from Saundersfoot one evening having secured the county title after a lean spell of nine years. Bob already knew and greeted us with the broadest of smiles.

"It has been a great afternoon and a enjoyable game, and I'm sure that even the most fervent will agree that in its first year the cup should remain here in Tenby, in Bob's club for 12-months," he added.

Ben and Mrs. Diment then presented the gleaming cup to Tenby captain Pat, before both teams retired to the clubhouse to toast their success and enjoy a meal served by Alison Redman and her helpers.

The Cup now stands proudly in the trophy cabinet in the lounge bar alongside the county shield, brought back to Tenby for the 30th time this season, and the Welsh pairs trophy won by Paul and Pat last month.

Rink scores (Tenby first) were:

S. McNeilly, A. Redman, P. Day, P. Currie 19; G. Bethwaite, S. James, L. Davies, R. Pointon 18.

D. Spencer, R. Holly, J. Baggott, P. Diment 33; G. Harries, B. Cale, T. Hall, D. Burns 10.

P. Mearns, T. Preston, J. Webb, A. Muskett 21; R. Allen, R. Bateman, B. Dowling, J. Williams 15.

I. Badham, B. Owens, D. Newth, D. Morgan 27; R. Edwards, G. Roberts, R. Jones, H. Hanger 13.

Captain's thanks

Tenby team captain Pat Currie would like to thank all those who have contributed to the squad's success this year.

His particular thanks go to all the players for their commitment throughout the season and he extends his congratulations to them all on winning both the league title and the Robert Diment Cup.

His thanks also go to his vice captain, Andrew Muskett, selector, Peter Day, all the match sponsors and of course Jones and Jones for their sponsorship of the team shirts.

In addition, thanks are extended to all the tea personnel, bar staff and the team's supporters.

"We were very honoured to have this year's county president, Ben Owens in out team and congratulations go to Ben on a very successful season," said Pat, who reminds all squad members that the Tenby team dinner will be taking place tonight (Friday) at Tenby House Hotel.