Champions grind out win

The Layton and Co sponsored Tenby Bowling Club kicked-off the campaign to retain the league title for a 36th year last Saturday when they entertained 2007 winners Whitland at 'fortress' Sutton Street.

The Whitland side that travelled to Tenby may not be as strong as it once was in the days of the late 2000s, but it was great to see that, as with Tenby, they are encouraging a youth policy and a number of youngsters were playing on both sides and indeed not only playing, but playing well.

As is the norm with Tenby nowadays, the Tenby side only fielded three over 50s (the fourth earning himself a £1 fine by deciding to watch his beloved Leeds United - or is that the Swans at the Liberty) - who says bowls is an old man's game?

Rink one saw the back end pairing of recently crowned Welsh indoor rinks champions John Roberts and Mike Jackson up against the effervescent Colin Wynn. John's front end consisted of the Romanian orphan Joe Richards and future star Aaron Lloyd, both players cementing likely first team positions this year from the off. Aaron, dominating matters from the mat and supported by Joe, they really put the back end stars in the proverbial armchair, and was it not for some telling bowls by Colin throughout the match, they would have run out better than their 12-shot success.

Rink two was a slightly different affair, where the experienced Jon Webb and Paul Diment struggled against Whitland's most successful player in Steve Reece. It wasn't for bad bowling that the Tenby rink found themselves 7-1 down, but try as they might, they couldn't get a firm foothold in the game. Some good bowls towards the middle half got up a bit of momentum (Cameron White having his usual fantastic game and John Baggott having warmed up his titanium hip), with the Tenby boys taking a four and a six a few ends later. It put them on level terms and for the remainder of the game it was level pegging, until the Tenby rink dropped a three on the 19th end, putting them three down. They took a two on the penultimate end, leaving a grand-slam finish. Dave Jenner, the Whitland captain, touched the jack with his first bowl and from there on in it appeared as if he'd driven a six-inch nail through it, as his bowl was hit five times in all, but never once did it leave the jack, leaving Whitland with a two-shot win and two points to their cause.

On rink three, it was the usual affair, so far as the twins were concerned. After worrying all winter whether we'd have the talented duo back in the ranks, captain Webbie was relieved to see that both are available for what will be a difficult season due to a particular county rule that in itself could take up inches of newspaper column.

Up front, the twins were supported by the ever-reliable editor of our 'local rag' and fellow 'Gleber' Pat Currie. Pat was on top form, making his debut as a front end player for Tenby for the first time since before most of the team were born, but with a player of his class and experience up front, the twins could do nothing but win.

As it happens, the first half was a bit of a struggle, with Glyndwr Thomas keeping his Whitland boys in touch, but the boys hit the blue touch paper in the second half and ran out comfortable winners by about 17 shots. Far be it for your faithful scribe to suggest that the push for the win had anything to do with the beautiful WAGs making a welcome appearance, but it was noted how well Pat started playing once he saw Peter Guymer on the balcony!

Rink four's match appeared to mirror that of rink two. The new combination of Peter Day and Wigan (they've only played other competitions together for about 13 years) struggled against Welsh U25 future cap Dan Jenner. Again going behind early and again not fearing that they wouldn't come back into the game, the rink simply couldn't get their noses in front. Luke Rees played well at lead, as did new Welsh indoor U18 international Ben Cloake. However, Ben promises he'll be better again on Saturday once he's got something in his pockets to keep his hands warm. Unfortunately, the boys got pipped to the winning line, losing by two shots, again mirroring rink two's performance.

All told, however, this was a difficult test for a Tenby squad that is still rebuilding from their 2009 national success. A 10-4, 29-shot win was the start we needed, and with a few more youngsters proving themselves up front and competition for back-end places and combinations developing, this could be the spark the team needs to ignite another Carruthers run.

Tenby find themselves at home again tomorrow (Saturday) against likely league title rivals Haverfordwest, captain Webb having the luxury of being able to pick an almost unchanged side, with former captain Dai Spencer replacing the globe-trotting Joe Richards as the only amendment to the winning formula.

TENBY ARCHES 30 WHITLAND 56

On Saturday, the Tenby ladies (sponsored by The Fourcroft Hotel) played their second game of the season.

Playing alongside the men on a very cold and breezy afternoon, I'm afraid to say we came away with nil points.

On rink five, the home side, skipped by Alison Redman, were 12-6 down at tea. They managed to score six shots on the 14th end, bringing them 17-13, but Whitland scored on all but two ends afterwards.

Rind six, skipped by Julia King Thomas, were 14-8 down at tea-time. The magic of tea didn't work for the home side as they finished 27-15 down.

Rink scores (Tenby team first, Whitland skips only):

L. Rafferty, A. Owens, G. Brutnell, A. Redman 15; A. Thomas 29.

M. Skyrme, C. Lloyd, M. Marquiss, J. King-Thomas 15; C. Jones 27.

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Bonus Ball

Winners with number six were Ray and Iris French.

Coaching

Coaching sessions for new and existing members take place at 6.30 pm on Mondays, May 14 and 21.

Whist results

Thursday, April 19: top -Vera Burrows, 181; 1st lady - Mair Marquiss, 162; 2nd lady - Mary Renowden, 157; 1st gent - Gladys Irvine, 179; 2nd gent - Vi Roberts, 162; half - Muriel Griffiths, 89; raffles -Mary Renowden and Gladys Irvine.

Monday. April 23: top - Elsie Breadnam, 180; 1st lady - Muriel Griffiths, 171; 2nd lady - Mary Renowden, 164; 1st gent - Gladys Irvine, 171; 2nd gent - Margaret Hill; 1st half - Pearl Thomas, 89; 2nd half - Mair Marquiss, 77; raffles - Margaret Hill and Elsie Breadnam.

Thursday, April 26: top - Muriel Griffiths, 176; 1st lady - Mair Marquiss, 174; 2nd lady - Mary Renowden, 165; 1st gent - Gladys Irvine, 171; 2nd gent - Pauline Barnikel, 167; 1st half - Margaret Hill, 85; 2nd half - Vi Roberts, 84; longest sitter - Vera Burrows, 12; lowest score - Elsie Breadnam, 160; raffles - Vi Roberts and Muriel Griffiths.