WHITLAND BOWLS CLUB 79 NEYLAND 60
Whitland Bowls Club started their Currthers campaign in fine style last Sunday afternoon by comfortably beating newly-promoted club Neyland by 19 shots.
The green was in excellent condition for this first home match of the season and all rinks bowled well.
Steven Reese continued his impressive start to the season with a five-shot win over the R. A. Evans quartet; he was well supported by John Rees, Denny Richards and his 'awesome' number three Colin Wynn.
Glyndwr Thomas, Richard Court, David Jenner and Malcolm Holding were the day's top rink, winning by eight shots against D. Sutton.
Young Chris Court, skipping a rink on this occasion, did very well with a three-shot win over R. Robson. No doubt he benefited from the advice of his experienced number three Des Jeffries, while young Mathew James and veteran Eric George were both in good form up front.
Peter Wills's rink of the competitive Jim Morrison, David Fiddy and Mike Williams had a dour struggle against B. Barrett and his rink before winning by 19 shots to 16. This win silenced the 'well meaning' comments that result when his rink loses!
It was an enjoyable afternoon with the match played in excellent spirits.
Whitland's next Carruthers match is against the formidable Tenby club next Wednesday.
WHITLAND 114 NEWCASTLE EMLYN 133
Whitland Bowls Club visited Newcastle Emlyn after a 10-year break last Saturday looking forward to playing on the new artificial surface. They acquitted themselves very well indeed, despite going down by 19 shots.
Whitland won on two rinks, with Steve Reese, Colin Wynn, Daniel James and Malcolm Holding leading the way with an excellent win over N. Morgan by 28 shots to 15. The 'modest duo', Steve and Colin, stated "no problem we expected to win!" They should remember the old adage, "After the Lord Mayor's Show comes the..."
Richard Court, Mike Williams, Brian Whitfield and Wendy Court were also successful against M. Beauchamp. Dickie once again left it to a "late run on the rails" by picking up four shots on the final two ends to win by three shots.
Peter Wills's rink of wife Josie, Nigel Davies and Jim Morrison were a little unfortunate to go down by one shot against the experienced county pair Llew Williams and Bill Oatley, who were well supported by front men T. Thomas and I. Griffiths. Peter and his quartet turned round a 9-1 deficit after seven ends to be three shots up after 18 ends. However, four shots were lost on the final ends.
Glyndwr Thomas, David Fiddy, B. Thomas and Dianne Scourfield found the surface somewhat tricky and lost by 13 shots to 26 against Eddie James, whose rink played exceptionally well.
Des Jeffries found it hard going against Andy McIntyre's rink and despite good performances by Marlais Powell, Elizabeth Pratt and the much-travelled Eric George went down by 12 shots.
The tea interval after 12 ends, when an excellent buffet was served, had an alarming effect on Chris Court's rink of chorister Trevor Williams, David James and Matthew James. Four shots up after the 12th end, they finally lost by six shots - too much delicious sponge proved their downfall. Veteran Ron Williams, as usual, was in fine form for the home club.
Whitland received a wonderful welcome from Newcastle Emlyn, which was much appreciated by all.