FIVE ARCHES

BOUNCE BACK

After the disappointment of an 86-80 home defeat to Pendine the previous week, the Five Arches team bounced back with two fine victories in four days last week.

The first came on Wednesday evening when they entertained near neighbours Saundersfoot, who had run Tenby close the previous Saturday.

A tough encounter was expected against the villagers, and so it proved. In fact, for much of the game, the Arches appeared to be heading for another defeat as Saundersfoot started to forge ahead.

But gradually they began to pull it back and as darkness closed in, the match reached a nail-biting climax, with the scores tied across the board, with just one rink still on and two ends remaining.

With the jack in the ditch, the Arches nosed ahead as they drew one closest to the edge on the penultimate end, but Saundersfoot looked in command as they themselves held a couple of shots to lie match on the final end.

Only the skips were now left to bowl and much to the relief (or was it amazement?) of home supporters on the balcony, two inch-perfect woods in the gathering gloom saw the Arches turn things on their head to snatch a dramatic 75 shots to 72 victory and bag 10 league points, with two rinks up and two down.

Bouyed by this success, the Arches were in confident mood when Fishguard and Goodwick were visitors to the Sutton Street green the following Saturday afternoon.

Again a close contest ensued. In fact, midway through, the scores were level with the scoreboards looking like a mirror image of each other, two rinks being up 10-4 and the other two down 10-4.

The Arches again produced a strong second half, though, and eventually eased to a 16-shot victory (90-74), earning themselves 11 points, with two rinks successful, one going down narrowly and the other sneaking a draw.

They finish their league campaign next Saturday when they play ‘away’ to Tenby and, as things stand, it looks as if much could rest on the outcome of the ‘derby’ clash.

Bidding to win the Pembrokeshire title for an unprecedented ninth time in succession, Tenby must have thought their hopes had been dashed, with Haverfordwest seemingly well in control at the top of the table.

Indeed, it was very much in the Town’s own hands, but a defeat against Saundersfoot has opened things up again and thrown Tenby a lifeline.

With three games remaining, the Sharks are now just nine points adrift of the leaders, with the advantage of a game in hand. And, interestingly, both they and Haverfordwest have to play the same teams on the run-in - Pendine and Fishguard & Goodwick, with Tenby’s extra game being against... yes, the Arches!

It could be another nail-biter on the Tenby green. Watch this space!

Tenby Arches Ladies 4 pts. Saundersfoot 2

An experienced Saundersfoot ladies team, peppered with Welsh international bowlers, were the visitors to the Sutton Street green last Wednesday evening.

With the game restricted to 18 ends, it was an important fixture for both teams who were lying third and fourth, respectively, in the league.

It was the home side who went on to win the game by 40 shots to 27 and so consolidating third position in the league.

On rink five, Alison with Lynn, Meryl and Jo in support got off to a disastrous start and by 10 ends were 17 shots to three down. They recovered some of their composure and won seven of the remaining eight ends, but the shot count was just not good enough, finally losing by 19 shots to 12 to the Saundersfoot rink skipped by Steph.

Helen’s rink of Margaret, Jan and Jerry were having a much better evening. The Arches quartet dominated their game, losing just six ends in an impressive 28 shots to eight victory over the Saundersfoot rink skipped by Ceris.

Continued thanks go to Tenby House Hotel for their support.

Bonus Ball

Winner of last Saturday’s bonus ball was Aaron with number 38. Congratulations.

Forthcoming Fixtures

Tomorrow (Saturday), Tenby play Fishguard and Goodwick at home on the Sutton Street green, at 2 pm.

On Sunday, Tenby play a friendly game against Aberavon Barbarians, at 2 pm, while on Wednesday, Tenby Ladies will be playing Neyland, away, at 2 pm.

The following Saturday, August 27, the curtain will fall on the league season when the Tenby and Five Arches men meet each other in a keenly anticipated ‘local derby’ at the Sutton Street green, 2 pm start.