Pembroke Dock v Tenby The N. D. Toy & Partners Ltd, T. P. Hughes and Welsh Gift Shop sponsored, Tenby Club began their quest to regain the Welsh Club Championship against Pembroke Dock. The weather proved to be difficult for both sides, especially the effect the wind was having. The match was level at five ends, 17-all. Tenby held a slight advantage over 10 ends, leading 37 to 34. In a similar vein to the previous week's game against Saundersfoot, the Tenby club found another gear and scored 24 shots to the hosts seven to lead by 20 shots at the 15-end mark. At 18 ends, the Tenby club scored a huge 30 shots, whilst only conceding two, to hold a more than healthy advantage. The end score, at 21 ends, was a 53-shot victory (105-52) Rink one: The Kieran Peregrine 'rink' only won one of the first seven ends, but that scoring end was a count of six shots which meant they only trailed by two shots. At 14 ends, the Pembroke Dock 'four' led by one shot (14-13). A surge by the Tenby four resulted in them winning all remaining ends, scoring 14 shots in the process to win 28-14. Rink two: Alan Whitehouse recorded his first win as a Tenby skip, beating Richard Jones 21-16. The Tenby rink showed tremendous tenacity to win this game, having been 11-4 down at eight ends. A winning scoring sequence of seven ends, picking up eight shots, saw them edge in front by one. The rink then applied great team management, winning four out of the remaining six ends and picking up nine shots to two. Rink three: John Roberts and Aaron Lloyd returned to the Tenby line-up, replacing Paul Diment and Ben Sheldon. Aaron Lloyd produced a scintillating display and proved what a natural sporting talent he is - especially considering that this was his first game of the season. International John Roberts was always in control against Pembroke Dock's Richard Hissey, but a dogged display by the hosts saw them trail by only four shots at 10 ends (8-12). However, like all the rinks around them, the Tenby four scored on nine out of the remaining 11 ends, picking up 15 shots to four, to win at the close by 27 shots to 12. Rink four: The Andrew Muskett four, like the John Roberts rink, were in total control against the David Buchannan four, winning 14 out of the 21 ends. Holding a slender lead of 12-8 at 13 ends, the Tenby four powered their way to the finish line, scoring 17 shots to two.

Tenby v Whitland

After winning their opening group game against Pembroke Dock, the Tenby club hosted Whitland, who a week earlier had easily disposed of Fishguard and Goodwick by 77 shots. Tenby knew that a win would almost certainly see them qualify for the knock-out stages of the Carruthers Shield. Over the last few games, Tenby's opponents 'stayed' with them for the first half of the match, only to then run out of steam and/or Tenby to find another gear. This again proved to be the case. Tenby held a six-shot lead at five ends; a nine-shot lead at 10 ends; a 24-shot lead at 15 ends; a 35-shot lead at 18 ends and closed the match with a 56-shot winning margin (104-48). Rink one: Ryan Thomas replaced Paul Diment at skip following a late fitness test - which Paul failed (!) However, with Paul reverting to 'third', the rink was still strong - on paper at least. Aaron Lloyd played well at lead and with James Criddle having another very strong game at second, they set up a solid platform for Paul to complement their work. Ryan was then able to execute a wide variety of shots and display his natural talent to the full. After dropping two singles on the opening two ends, Ryan played a tremendous shot, turning the Tenby bowl onto the jack to make a count of four. The following end, Ryan picked up the jack for a count of six shots, but with a cruel twist, the jack rebounded back to its original placement - but still a score of two shots for the home side. Although the Tenby rink could consider themselves to be unlucky on that occasion, it was a sign of things to come. At the close, the Tenby rink had won 16 out of the 21 ends to record a 38-6 shot win. Rink two: Andrew Muskett's four played against former Tenby Gold Cup winner, Steve Reese, of Whitland. The Whitland four started well and took control of the game, leading 7-2 after five ends and 9-6 after 10 ends. However, the Tenby rink were dogged in their play and scored 12 shots without reply over the next four ends. Steve's rink reduced the score to 13-18 after 17 ends with a three-end winning streak, but the Tenby four won the remaining four ends to record a 24-13 win. Rink three: Kieran Peregrine took on Colin Wynn, of Whitland. After taking an early lead, Colin's rink started to cause some problems for the Tenby four and steadily built up a lead of 14-8 after 13 ends. The Whitland rink still held a good lead at 17 ends (17-11), but then Peg's, Webby, Beano and Big Red took control, scoring on all the remaining ends: two, four, two and two. Final score 21-17. Rink four: John Roberts's rink took on the Whitland rink skipped by Whitland captain, Glyndwr Thomas. This was again a very close game, with nothing between the two rinks. At 14 ends, the Whitland rink held an 11-8 lead. But in a similar manner to rinks two and three, the Tenby four won six out of the remaining seven ends, scoring 13 shots to one. A final score of 21-12. To be fair to Whitland, a 56-shot win flattered Tenby as in truth the match was settled on one rink. The dominant scoring by Tenby over the closing stages of the match could be put down to Whitland trying to force the issue with their choice of shots other than anything else. However, take nothing away from a Tenby performance which has seen them dispatch, arguab

Bonus Ball

Winner last Saturday was Carol Lloyd with bonus number 25.

Coaching

Coaching sessions will start today (Friday, May 23), at the bowling green, and every following Friday until further notice, at 6.30 pm, for children and new members. If you have a child who would like to have a go, please bring them along; you may like to have ago yourself. Look forward to seeing you at 6.30. In a week or two, we hope to have some sessions for playing members who would like to have a bit of coaching. Please look at notice board in pavilion for times and dates.

TENBY ARCHES LADIES 6 pts FISHGUARD LADIES 0

Tenby Arches Ladies picked up their first six-point win of the season against Fishguard last Thursday with a 42-28 shots victory. Julia King-Thomas's rink of Ginnie, Mair and Carol were drawn against a strong Fishguard rink skipped by Jenny Harris. The ladies were evenly matched throughout, but the game turned in Tenby's favour on the penultimate end with a great shot from Julia. The Tenby ladies were two down, and with Fishguard first on the mat, they drew two perfect woods to the jack. Julia asked ladies' captain Carol to play a shot to split the woods, but she narrowly missed twice, leaving her woods behind the jack. With Julia playing last, it was down to her to save the rink from defeat, and her experience was to tell as she stepped up and played the perfect shot to split the Fishguard woods and trail the jack back to waiting Tenby woods to pick up five shots. A very tight and tense game finished with Julia's rink winning by 18 shots to 16. Alison's rink of Audrey, Meryl and Helen were in total control throughout their game, playing some excellent bowls to win by 24 shots to 12. Alison's rink also had some drama, but not on the same scale as Julia's. One of Alison's ladies simply forgot to bowl her two woods and it was not until Alison, who was skipping the rink, found that she had an extra wood, that the question was asked 'where had this wood come from?' The woods that had been played were checked and the result was that the lady who lost the kettle and tea pot last week had forgotten to bowl one of her two woods! This was a good result for the Arches ladies, securing maximum points, but stiffer challenges lay ahead.

TENBY ARCHES LADIES 1 pt WHITLAND LADIES 5

Tenby ladies anticipated a tough home fixture against Whitland last Saturday and were not disappointed, with the strong visiting team running out winners by 49 shots to 41. With the two ladies rinks playing alongside their male counterparts in a Carruthers fixture, the atmosphere was charged with a large crowd supporting their teams. The contrast in starts of the two Tenby rinks was totally opposite. Alison's rink of Audrey, Meryl and Helen got off to a flyer and at six ends were 13 shots to nil up. Conversely, Julia's rink of Margaret, Carol and Gerry were down 16 shots to nil. Things were going to change as losing rinks found their form. Alison's rink looked to have the game won at 19 ends, with a four-shot lead, but Cally and her team fought back and on the last end were holding five shots to win the game. Alison stepped onto the mat needing something special to save her team from defeat. She was not to disappoint them, playing four of the five woods out and leaving a measure for the fifth. The measure went in Whitland's favour, resulting in a 24-shot draw and a solitary point for the Arches ladies. Julia's rink, after their poor start, picked up their game to get within three shots of Sue Evans's team at one stage, only to finally lose by 17 shots to 25. The Arches ladies were obviously disappointed with this performance as they could not mirror the result of their male counterparts who had an excellent win in their Carruthers competition.

Tenby 93 shots Norwest 103

Tuesday, May 6, brought the mini tour of Norwest to the Tenby green. Norwest hail from the Bath area. A mixed team, the tourists had set out to enjoy themselves - and they certainly did that, both on and off the green. They were excellent company, and there was only one way in which this game could be played - and that was friendly and fun. Once again, thank you to guest players who helped to make up the Tenby team. Rink scores (Tenby first, Norwest skips only). V. Roberts, C. Johns, J. Taylor, P. Hooper 15; B. Holmes 13. B. Benham, F. Broomhead, A. Owens, G. Brutnell 17; K. Coombes 27. R. French, I. French, J. Rees, H. Ebdon 12; A. Woodhall 22. M. Skyrme, L. Evans, D. Brickle (G), S. James (G) 29; G. Pitt 19. M. Cooke, H. Meades, L. Rafferty, G. Hewitt 20; E. Nott 22.

TENBY 108 shots WEST SUSSEX 99

On Wednesday, May 14, West Sussex were visitors to the Tenby green. Staying at the Clarence House Hotel, travel distance for them could not have been shorter! This was their fourth out of a six-match tour and, arriving at the Tenby green undefeated, they were in confident mood to make it four out of four. The game was played in wonderful sunshine and high spirits, as were all the games on their tour. After 10 ends, tea and biscuits were enjoyed in the pavilion with the score at the time 53-42 in favour of West Sussex, so we plyed their players with extra Jammie Dodgers! Those extra biscuits made a difference, with Tenby pulling back the score to eventually run out winners 108-99. Well done Tenby Bowling Club. Many thanks to all who helped make the afternoon so successful. Special thanks to Pendine Bowling Club who supplied Tenby Bowling Club with one rink of players. Rink scores (West Sussex skips) only: M. Cooke, J. Taylor, T. Powling, B. Cloake 20; G. Bevan 11. R. French, I. French, P. Hooper, A. Redman 20; S. Watt 18. D. Rees, B. Benham, C. Lloyd, K. Lloyd 16; J. Clear 18. G. Beeken, J. Criddle, J. Hubbard, R. Taylor 16; R. Bell 23. C. Thomas, D. Stewart, R. Gosnold, D. King-Thomas (Pendine) 16; R. Ayling 17. M. Skyrme, H. Meads, J. Rees, H. Ebdon 20; C. Rolph 12. West Sussex bowlers were very impressed with their stay at the Clarence House Hotel.

TENBY 135 shots FAIROAK 108

On Sunday, Fairoak Bowling Club from Roath Park, Cardiff, visited Tenby Bowling Club on a day trip to the seaside. Again the game was played in wonderful sunshine and great spirit. The green was looking good and pace was very quick. The Fairoak players were very impressed with our green and facilities, taking a couple of ends to adjust to pace of the surface. Whenever possible, the Tenby skips tested Fairoak players by varying the length of the jack, long to short, not giving them time to settle. Again after 10 ends refreshments were taken, with tea and biscuits inside the pavilion (thanks to all helpers). After tea, the final 11 ends saw Tenby Bowling Club press home the advantage of the ever-quickening green to run out winners 135 to 108. Rink scores (Tenby first, Fairoak skips only) were: C. Lloyd, H. Meads, N. Dickinson, G. Hewitt 19; P. Wall 23. D. Rees, F. Broomhead, K. Lloyd, A. Hooper 19; C. Wall 17. Vi Roberts, G. Beeken, T. Powling, D. Spencer 18; D. Pickin 16. C. Jones, L. Evans, J. Taylor, P. Hooper 22; D. Wall 17. R. French, I. French, J. Rees, H. Ebdon 29; A. N. Other 22. B. Benham, Liz Rees, J. Hubbard, G. Brutnell 28; D. Roberts 13.

PLEA TO PLAYERS

I fully understand that we have members who work full-time, or are in school or college, or are semi or fully retired; also that we all have personal commitments. But, please, please, try and look at the friendly notice board and add your name whenever possible. We have a fantastic friendly fixture list. It's sometimes very hard work trying to get a team to represent Tenby Bowling Club for friendlies. Teams look forward to coming to our club, and the town of Tenby, so please sign the sheet and make my job easier. As a member of Tenby Bowling Club, I find it very embarrassing to have to ring other clubs to help us out. Please try and support your club whenever possible. We need you, Tenby Bowling Club needs you.

CLUB CAPTAIN