Tenby 89 (10 pts.) Whitland 82 (4)

The Tenby team continued their league programme last Saturday against Whitland. Currently unbeaten, Tenby went into the game firm favourites, but the Whitland club were able to field an almost full strength team for the first time this season.

Whitland started the fastest, leading by seven shots at the five-end mark and extending it to 11 shots at the halfway stage. They continued to maintain their fine start to the game and extended their lead to 16 shots coming into the last quarter. An unbelievable finish by the Sharks, however, overturned the lead, and they went into the last end of the game, leading by 12 shots. A dropped count of five resulted in a final score of 89-82 to Tenby.

Paul Diment, on rink one, played with Cameron White, Fred Broomhead and Joe Richards. Diment’s indifferent start to the season continued and the rink was soundly beaten by Glyndwr Thomas who won 26-17. Two dropped counts of five shots and a four made the most damage. Although at one stage the rink was 5-19 down, a strong finish brought them back to 17-21 at the 20-end mark and the rink could be forgiven for dropping a count of five shots on the last end, as they were ‘going’ for the rink win to try and secure another two points.

Things were not much better on rink two, with Ryan Thomas, Chris Court, Dai Rees and Mike Jackson coming up against Steve Reese’s foursome. With Diment 5-19 down at 12 ends, Ryan was one shot worse at 5-20 at the same stage. The rink did make inroads into the deficit and finished 16-25 at the close.

Kieran Peregrine, John Roberts, Liam Price and Ben Cloake were all on fine form against Colin Wynn. This rink kept Tenby in the game and led 22-6 at 12 ends. Colin’s rink won three consecutive ends, resulting in nine shots, to reduce the Tenby rink’s lead to a mere seven shots. With this run, it did seem the Tenby challenge would be over. The rink responded brilliantly by winning all the remaining ends and scoring 13 shots in the process. Final score 35-15.

Muskett, Day and Lloyd - unbeaten this year - were joined by Peter Hooper against Dan Jenner. The rink fell behind at 10 ends by two shots and went behind on 18 ends by three shots 13-16. Then two singles plus shot of the day by Muskett made a six-shot count to record a winning scoreline 21-16.

In conclusion, what a great finish by Tenby. This game was very similar to the game played against Haverfordwest earlier in the year. However, it could be argued that like Haverfordwest, the better team lost. If it had not been for a very strong finish over the last three or four ends, the day would have belonged to Whitland and congratulations to them for such a performance.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Tenby face the mighty Presteigne and go into the game as firm underdogs. Prior to this, they faced Haverfordwest (Tuesday) and Saundersfoot (yesterday, Thursday) and players were moved into positions ready for the challenge of Presteigne.

Bonus Ball

The winner on Saturday was Molly, with number 3, well done.

Forthcoming Fixtures

Tomorrow (Saturday), Tenby men will be playing in the next round of the Carruthers Shield at home against Presteigne.

On Sunday, the Five Arches men will be playing Fishguard and Goodwick, as will the Tenby Ladies be playing Fishguard, both games will be at the Fishguard green. Tenby men also play a game at home against Pendine.

On Thursday, Tenby Ladies play Picton, away, 6 pm start.