On a blustery rain soaked Saturday afternoon, May 21, Whitland were in action against Fishguard and Goodwick in the final game of the group stages in the Carruthers Shield.

Whitland, in need of a victory to have any chance of going through, knew the importance of the game and despite the weather, the game went ahead as planned, even though in the end the victory was to be in vain as Haverfordwest turned over Pembroke Dock to go through as group winners.

Whitland won all four rinks on that afternoon winning overall by 81-45 in constantly changing conditions.

Rink one saw Dan Jenner and his rink of Gareth Davies, Keith Michael and John Rees lead from start to finish in a game where high quality bowling was needed by all four players to ensure victory against the Fishguard rink skipped by D. Hughes. The Whitland rink performed well to record a 31-9 victory and take the kitty.

Rink two was skipped by late replacement Phil Wynn, who put in a sterling fighting performance, alongside his compatriots Aeron Thomas, Denny Richards and Huw Nicholas. A good performance by all four players ensured another win for the rink usually skipped by G. Thomas.

Colin Wynn showed his ability in recording a 17-11 win against T. Jones. After a slow start by the rink in which it was all square at nine ends (6-6), Colin and his team Mike Williams, Ted Davies and Liam Price won eight ends in a row picking up 11 shots, putting the game out of reach of their Fishguard counterparts.

Rink four saw the closest game of all in the match, with the Whitland rink of David Jenner, Ashley Reese, Nigel Davies and Steve Reese emerging victors in this back and forth victory where the lead changed hands seven times, with the Whitland rink emerging victors 15-12, with four solid performances from the players.

Results (Whitland rinks first, Fishguard skips only):

Gareth Davies, Keith Michael, John Rees, Dan Jenner 31 D. Hughes 9.

Aeron Thomas, Denny Richards, Huw Nicholas, Phil Wynn 18 R. Thomas 13.

Mike Williams, Ted Davies, Liam Price, Colin Wynn 17 T. Jones 11.

David Jenner, Ashley Reese, Nigel Davies, Steve Reese 15 T. Evans 12.

The following weekend, May 28, Whitland played Haverfordwest in their first league fixture of the season. Seeking revenge for the early season Carruthers Shield group stage loss, Whitland were keen to show what they were made of in the first league game.

Haverfordwest once again turned up with the same fighting spirit that had seen them win that first game, however, this was to be in vain on a warm afternoon in Whitland, were two even sides played out a fiercely fought game were Whitland prevailed 77-76 (points10-4).

Rink one skipped by the ever-dependable Steven Reese saw his rink, Nigel Davies, Ashley Reese and David Jenner, prevail against the rink of PDS Jenkins, M. Hughes, K. Thorpe and A. John, in a highly competitive game where containing there opposition to one or two shots any end they won earned them a win 23-12.

Rink two saw the 'awesome' Colin Wynn skip against Chris Court. Colin's rink of Liam Price, Mike Williams and Andrew Morse did everything in their power too keep the game as tight as possible up until tea, however, a couple of crucial ends dropping counts in the second half of the game gave the Haverfordwest rink the victory 11-27. On the last end however being two down, Colin played a crucial shot which helped Whitland win the game.

Rink three contained the unchanged rink of Dan Jenner, John Rees, Keith Michael and Gareth Davies. The rink proved to be a victorious and determined quartet once again, playing a combination of calculated precision and attacking bowls throughout they proved to be formidable opponents, beating there Haverfordwest counterparts of J. Dixon, P. Jenkins, B. Jones and C. Wills by 27-12 picking up the kitty in the process.

The rink of Glyn Thomas, Huw 'Beano' Nicholas, Denny Richards and Aeron Thomas, lived up to their reputation of being fighters and never giving up. Ryan Thomas of Haverfordwest's rink proved to be the victors in the end by a score of 25-16, however, Glyn's rink being the last on the green for the whole game contained the Haverfordwest quartet. which also contained R. O'Leary, T. Thomas and D. John, to a single shot to win the game.

After the game. both captains agreed the game had been played in a very competitive nature. But that at the end of the day, the nature and high spirits in which the game was played, and the friendship there seems to be between the two groups of players, has become increasingly more visible over the years.

Results (Whitland rinks first, Haverfordwest skips only):

Gareth Davies, Keith Michael, John Rees, Dan Jenner 27 J. Dixon 12.

Aeron Thomas, Denny Richards, Huw Nicholas, Glyn Thomas 16 R. Thomas 25.

Andrew Morse, Mike Williams, Liam Price, Colin Wynn 11 C. Court 27.

David Jenner, Ashley Reese, Nigel Davies, Steve Reese 23 PDS Jenkins 12.

Whitland 10 points Haverfordwest 4.

Whitland's captain, the team and club as whole would like to wish Tenby and Haverfordwest luck in the next round of the Carruthers Shield after progressing through the groups stages.

Whitland Bowls Club would also like to invite all members of other club's and the general public, to celebrate their 25th anniversary on Saturday, June 11. The club will be opening at 12 noon with a barbecue and fully licensed bar. Then at 2 pm, Whitland men and Whitland ladies will play a game against their respected county presidents select team, and then at 5 pm, there will be a pig roast. Everyone invited and the club will be open until late.