WHITLAND 69 PENDINE 74
This local derby proved to be a close and exciting encounter played in a sporting and competitive manner, with Pendine edging home by five shots. The result was in the balance until the last bowl was delivered by skip Steve Reese. With Pendine holding one shot and Whitland three seconds, Steve succeeded in removing the shot bowl, but the jack ricocheted away from the Whitland bowls to give Pendine three shots. David King Thomas, skipping the Pendine rink, had an excellent game, with the Whitland rink of Steve Reese, Peter Wills, Nigel Davies and Tim 'Tights' Thomas always playing catch-up. Pendine deserved their win of 21 shots to 12. Colin Wynn and his rink of Liam Price, John Rees and son Phil had an epic struggle against Stewart King Thomas and his boys. The final result, a draw 18 shots each, was a fair reflection of the game in which all players made significant contributions. Huw 'Bean' Nicholas and young Gareth Davies, making his debut for the team, laid a solid foundation for Ryan Thomas and captain Alan Whitehouse in a comfortable win, 24 shots to 12. Young Gareth played very well in this, his first game with the first team. John Seeley, Shane Webster, Louis Price and skip Glyndwr Thomas took some time to get into their stride at first. From being 16-4 down at the tea interval, they reduced the deficit to six shots to go down by 15 shots to 21. Pendine skip Mal Evans was in superb form. Honours are now even between these two local rivals, and both teams are looking forward to renewing these exciting encounters next season. Scores (Whitland first, Pendine skips' names only): Nigel Davies, Peter Wills, Tim Thomas, Steve Reese 12; Dai King Thomas 21. John Seeley, Shane Webster, Louis Price, Glyndwr Thomas 15; Mal Evans 21. Liam Price, John Rees, Philip Wynn, Colin Wynn 18; Stewart King Thomas 18. Gareth Davies, Huw Nicholas, Ryan Thomas, Alan Whitehouse 24; Malcolm Thomas 12.
WHITLAND LADIES 38 PEMBROKE DOCK PARK 32
Whitland ladies won a close game against Pembroke Dock Park, winning on both rinks to record a six- shot victory and maximum points. Captain Sue Evans's rink of Josie Wills, Shirley Hammond and Dianne Scourfield all played some fine bowls to win by 17 shots to 13 over K. Cole and her rink. Hannah Thomas, Mary Rayment, Jo Shewry and Cally Jones had a close victory over Margaret Lewis and her rink. All made significant contributions to this close encounter. Rink scores were as follows (Whitland first): Josie Wills, Shirley Hammond, Dianne Scourfield, Sue Evans 17; V. Davies, A. Cole, P. Young, K. Cole 13. Hannah Thomas, Mary Rayment, Jo Shewry, Cally Jones 21; B. Rapley, J. Miller, A. Lewis, M. Lewis 19.
WHITLAND LADIES 22 MILFORD HAVEN LADYBIRDS 32
Milford Haven Ladybirds were in fine form against Whitland ladies in their recent league match played at Whitland. However, the Whitland team did manage a close win, 17-15, on one rink skipped by captain Sue Evans, with Josie Wills, Cynthia Evans and Dianne Scourfield giving her excellent support. Kathy Jenner, Mary Rayment, Jo Shewry and Cally Jones came up against M. Coe and her rink, who were all in excellent form, winning by 17 shots to five. Rink scores were as follows (Whitland first): Josie Wills, Cynthia Evans, Dianne Scourfield, Sue Evans 17; S. Price, S. Scoble, D. Gwilliam, M. Carter 15. Kathy Jenner, Mary Rayment, Jo Shewry, Cally Jones 5; D. Gray, A. Evans, P. Anderson, M. Coe 17. WHITLAND LADIES 32 PENDINE LADIES 42
Pendine ladies, not to be outdone by their men, also had a comfortable victory over Whitland last Saturday. Whitland can console themselves with the fact that they did succeed in winning on one rink. Cally Jones and her rink of Joan Nolan, Kathy Jenner and Rebecca Thomas found Gwen Hale and her rink in excellent form, winning by 30 shots to eight. However, captain Sue Evans, Josie Wills, Dianne Scourfield and Jo Shewry had a well-earned comfortable success against Carol Jones and ladies, winning by 24 shots to 12. At present, Sue's rink is in a fine run of form, being successful in the last three games. Rink scores were as follows (Whitland first): Joan Nolan, Kathy Jenner, Rebecca Thomas, Cally Jones 8; Pam Jones, Doris Howells, Pat Hawker, Gwen Hale 30. Josie Wills, Dianne Scourfield, Jo Shewry, Sue Evans 24; Gill, Gaynor Wilson, Ann Stewart, Carole Jones 12.
COUNTY SUCCESS
Whitland club members figured prominently among the county finals competition. The following are to be congratulated on becoming county champions: men's rinks - Alan Whitehouse, Nigel Davies, Colin Wynn and Steven Reese; mixed pairs - Glyndwr and Andrea Thomas; singles - Malcolm Bishop; Under 35 years singles - Dan Jenner (runner-up). Congratulations to young Hannah Thomas on bringing further honour to the club, being once again selected for the Welsh Under 25 team. Well done Hannah - the club is proud of you. Congratulations also go to Daniel Jenner on being invited to the first trial for the Welsh Under 25 team. Dan's form this season warrants his selection.
WHITLAND 107 PURLEY 102
A Whitland mixed team enjoyed a very entertaining game against visiting Purley last Monday. It was indeed a 'colourful' afternoon, with the visitors sporting a natty line of pink attire. Chairman Peter Wills had a real battle against opposing skip John Hurle. John trailed the jack to record a seven count on the 17th end, but going into the final end, the Whitland rink were only one down, but dropped a two to lose 22-25. Josie and Dianne gave Peter excellent support, as did Brian Griffiths. Captain Alan Whitehouse had a close game against Pat Simmons, but pulled away during the final ends to record an excellent win by 30 shots to 18. He was well-supported by Roy Allan, John Naylor and Huw Davies. Huw 'Beano' Nicholas's rink of Mary Rayment, M. Adams and young James Jenner played well to record an excellent 20-14 win. Lady skip Cally Jones had a fine game and went down by one shot, 17-18. She was well-supported by Micky Williams, Chris Court and Peter Gilder. Finally, Denny Richards and his 'cohorts' - always the rink nearest the beer - had an exciting encounter with Joey Billing and his rink. Rod Richards, Aeron Thomas and Mal John were in their usual high spirits - they were 'narrowly' defeated by 29-18 (as Denny stated: "We always look after our visitors"). Rink scores (Whitland first, visiting skips only) were: Huw Davies, John Naylor, Roy Allan, Alan Whitehouse 30; Pat Simmons 16. Mal Johns, Rod Richards, Aeron Thomas, Denny Richards 18; J. Billing 29. Peter Gilder, Chris Court, Mike Williams, Cally Jones 17; Derek Harvey 18. Josie Wills, Dianne Scourfield, Brian Griffiths, Peter Wills 22; J. Hurle 25. Whitland are saddened by the fact that all touring teams visiting Whitland have been informed that their green is in a bad condition. This information is supplied by a small minority of the less charitable of the Pembrokeshire bowling fraternity. Hopefully this will cease in the future.