After last week’s mauling by Tenby, The Dock expected the worst going into Saturday’s match against league leaders Haverfordwest at the Memorial Park. However, thanks to a brilliant team effort they ended the day celebrating a comprehensive and well deserved victory. The keenly-fought match was played in a sporting spirit on a fine, warm afternoon with a large crowd of knowledgeable spectators watching the action from the vantage point in front of the clubhouse.

Rink 1: Peter (PDS) Jenkins, the vastly experienced Haverfordwest skip, was full of praise for the bowling display by his opposite number Brian Dowling who skipped his rink of Tudor Harries, Alan Yea and Dave Halward to a fine victory. After leading by just four shots at the midway stage, Brian’s four moved up a gear in the latter stages winning seven of the last eleven ends which helped them to an excellent 23-13 success.

Rink 2: Club captain Richard Jones and his rink of Allistair Benn, Boyd Parry, and Ken Edwards also enjoyed an excellent win, leading from start to finish. Although the Haverfordwest rink mounted a strong challenge after the interval, fine bowling by club captain Richard Jones ensured a fine 18-10 victory.

Rink 3: The rink of Dave Finn, Hugh Colley, Hugh Williams and Matt John struggled early on as the Haverfordwest front two found the tricky rink much to their liking and stormed into a 7-1 lead after just four ends. After the interval, Matt’s men clawed their way back into the game and held a 16-14 advantage after picking up five shots on the 18th end. Unfortunately, despite holding a three-shot lead, they inexcusably dropped four shots on the last end allowing an ebullient Gareth Barrett to celebrate a narrow 19-18 win which was Haverfordwest’s only success. Incidentally, this was the third consecutive game in which Matt’s rink has failed to clinch victory from a winning position - a state of affairs that has left Matt looking somewhat red faced!

Rink 4: The established rink of Paul Griffiths, Jerry Carroll, Reg Thomas and Richard Hissey again played well against a strong quartet led by the experienced and skillful Richard O’Leary. The lead changed hands several times during the early stages and after the penultimate end the scores were tied at 15-15. Thanks to an excellent bowl by Reg Thomas who trailed the jack to pick up three shots, The Dock collected another two points, winning 18-15.

An excellent all-round performance by Pembroke Dock which could have led to them collecting the maximum 14 points. However, this was undeniably The Dock’s best win of the season and has possibly dented Haverfordwest’s hopes of wresting the league trophy from the grasp of Tenby. To round off an excellent afternoon, Pembroke Dock ladies captained by Jackie Church, playing on the adjoining rinks enjoyed a fine victory against Tasker (Haverfordwest) Ladies.

Sunday sees The Dock travelling east to the seaside to take on Pendine who over the years have proved to be The Dock’s nemesis.

Final score: Pembroke Dock 77 (12 points) Haverfordwest 57 (2).

H.C.