MENS' SECTION

Whitland 11 pts. Mariners 3

Whitland made an impressive start in defence of their league title with a comfortable win against the Mariners at home on Sunday, April 4. Despite being short of a number of regulars, the team put up a most creditable performance that pleased new captain Alan Whitehouse. New recruit Malcolm Bishop made an excellent debut by skipping his rink of Louis Price, Tim 'Tights' Thomas and Colin 'Awesome' Wynn to a 30 shots to 10 win against N. Firman and his rink. Steve Reese made his usual impressive start to the season by leading his rink of Huw 'Beano' Nicholas, new recruit Jeremy Woodford and club chairman Peter Wills to a comfortable win of 28 shots to 13 against Gerard Thomas and his men. However, Gerard claimed an 'infusion added to the tea' at half-time affected his men! - they led by 12 shots to six at the break. Young Dan Jenner - his first experience of skip in the league - did very well to draw an excellent game against a strong Mariners rink skipped by G. C. Bann 19 shots all. He was well supported by Matthew Court, Emyr James and Denny Richards. Whitland came second when D. Halwood's rink won by 20 shots to 12 against Alan Whitehouse's rink of Liam Price, Shane Webster and Philip Wynn.

WHITLAND BORDERERS 89 ST. THOMAS 64

Whitland Borderers have started the season in fine style with an impressive performance away to St. Thomas. Rink wins were equal, with each team winning two. However, Whitland's winning scores were much superior. Selwyn Price (his two sons Liam and Louis both excellent bowlers) proved that dad is no slouch as skip by guiding his rink to an impressive 31 shots to 11 win against a rink skipped by R. Lewis; he was well supported by Emyr James, Louis Price and Mike 'The Quiz' Williams. Peter Williams's rink of C. Court, John Hammond and Dan Jenner had an excellent win by 30 shots to 12 against H. Hicks and his rink. N. R. Brown's rink proved to be too strong for Dave Jenner, A. Reese, W. Evans and M. Court ,winning a close game by two shots, 18-16. R. Harries's rink had a comfortable win by 23 shots to 12 against captain David Lewis, supported by Colin Wynn, John Addison and James Jenner.

WHITLAND BORDERERS 82 PATER 72

This proved to be a most entertaining close encounter played in excellent spirit, with the result being in the balance until the final ends. With both teams winning on two rinks, it was Whitland's superior shot count that enabled them to record their second win of the season. Pride of place must go to Selwyn Price's rink of Selwyn, son Liam, Derek 'Del Boy' Ford and Mickey Williams - all played excellent bowls, with skip Selwyn setting an excellent example, both in bowling and rink management, to record a 28 shots to 10 win against J. Turvey and his rink. Peter Williams and his rink of Nigel Davies, John Hammond and John Seeley were all in fine form, winning by 26 shots to 16 against S. Davies's rink. Captain David Lewis, Andrew Seeley, John Addison and James Jenner found M. Ronald and his men too strong on the day, losing by 23 shots to 12. However, despite their defeat, they played some fine bowls. Skip David Jenner, who always gives positive encouragement to his rink, lost by seven shots to B. Dunlowe 23 shots to 16 - the score did not truly reflect the closeness of the game - an excellent game for the spectators.

WHITLAND LADIES SECTION

Under the captaincy of club secretary Susan Evans, Whitland Ladies have made a scintillating start to the season in defence of their league title by winning their first three league games, gaining maximum points in the process. The first two games against the strong Saundersfoot teams were closely contested, with both teams playing excellent bowls at such an early stage in the season. Against St. Issell's, Whitland were successful on both rinks -Cally Jones's rink of Joan Nolan, Cynthia Evans and Jo Shewry won by 17 shots to 12, while Hannah Thomas's rink of Josie Wills, Mary Rayment and Susan Evans also gained a comfortable win by 18 shots to 12. Their success was followed by another fine win against Saundersfoot Ladies by 44 shots to 31. They continued their impressive form in their next game against Pembroke Dock Park and in the process demonstrated their fighting spirit and determination. Whitland supremacy on a rink skipped by Hannah Thomas was reflected in the score of 39 shots to nine - Josie Wills, Dianne Scourfield and Sue Evans, together with skip Hannah were indeed a formidable quartet - well done girls! Skip K. Cole's rink had no answer on this occasion. However, it was a completely different scenario on the other rink. Skips Cally Jones and M. Lewis had an epic battle - a real 'nail-biter', with the result being in the balance until the final wood was delivered. Pembroke Dock Park held the advantage for much of the game, but were gradually overhauled by the determined Whitland quartet of Cally, Cynthia Evans, Kathy Jenner and Jo Shewry. Pembroke Dock Park held the advantage by one shot until the penultimate bowl delivered by Cally, who gained a one-shot victory, resulting in much arm waving and squeals of delight from the Whitland girls and spectators.