SAUNDERSFOOT 76 (4pts.) TENBY 79 (10)

Saundersfoot entertained local rivals and current league champions Tenby in a mid-week fixture last week and in a thrilling game just failed to inflict on them their first defeat of the season.

On a fine, sunny evening and the green running well, a classic encounter ensued, with the villagers producing some of their best bowls of the season and the overall result being in doubt until the last ends were completed in the gathering gloom.

On rink two, Alan Brace, John Haig, Don Poole and skip Steve Dick struggled to contain an inspired Tenby four skipped by Andrew Muskett. With Luke Rees leading well and Peter Day at number three wishing he could take the rink home with him and bowl on it all the time, the home boys were not allowed many opportunities to score and won only seven of the 21 ends in a 26 shots to nine defeat.

It was a much closer affair on rink three, with Roy Kennion, Paul Blayney, John Dugmore and Myrddin Dennis up against Ben Cloake, James Criddle, Jon Webb and Welsh international John Roberts. The Tenby four led by four shots after 10 ends, but had slipped one shot behind by the 13th. With the Saundersfoot four playing well, it was left to Webbie and J.R. to pull out all the stops and play some big bowls to eventually edge the visitors home by 21 shots to 17.

On rink three, Berwyn Dennis skipped Graham Hughes, Neil Hensman and Joe Dennis against Cameron White, John Baggot, Joe Richards and Luke Guymer. At the half-way mark, the Saundersfoot boys led by four shots, but in an inspired second half, which included four counts of three shots, they romped home by 28 shots to 13.

Being a mid-week fixture, both teams were missing several regulars and on rink five, Saundersfoot fielded four boys who were more used to playing second division bowls. When Mike Oliver, Dennis Reed, Dave Roberts and Brian McKehon found themselves up against Craig Guymer, a Welsh under 25 international and with two county regulars in Neil Dickenson and Dai Spencer also facing them, they could have feared the worst, but amazingly, with the help of a five and two threes, led by 13 shots after 10 ends. Showing their experience, however, back came the Tenby boys and on 19 ends, the deficit had been cut to just one shot. In a nervy last two, the villagers held their composure to pick-up two ones and gain a 22 shots to 19 win.

After the match, which did not finish until nearly 10 pm, everyone enjoyed a drink and some chip butties in the clubhouse, which had been prepared and served by Saundersfoot vice-chairlady Kath Blayney and secretary Ceris Hewlings, for which they received the thanks of all present.

SAUNDERSFOOT 82 (12 pts.) PEMBROKE DOCK 68 (2)

Full of confidence following their display against Tenby, four days later Saundersfoot played host to Pembroke Dock in another Division One encounter.

Five shots in front after five ends, but two adrift at the tea break, the villagers knew that a strong second half was needed to avoid another close finish which in three previous games had seen them lose by just seven shots in total.

A two-shot lead after 15 played had been extended to 11 after 18 and a steady finish gave them a 14-shot win and 12 of the 14 points that were up for grabs.

On rink two, Graham Hughes, Neil Hensman, Steve Dick and skip Joe Dennis were all-square against Reg Thomas after 11 ends, but winning eight of the last 10 gave them a nine-shot win.

Myrddin Dennis skipped against Brian Cole on rink three, with the lead changing throughout the game. At the 'up and down' stage, the scores were level, but one on the 20th and and a last end count of four, gave Saundersfoot a five-shot win.

Rink four saw three of the heroes from the Tenby game, Mike Oliver, Dave Roberts and Brian McKehon, with Nev Ruff at number two, up against Richard Jones. Any thoughts of another win were quickly dispelled as, with the help of a six, two fours and a three, the Dockers led by 19 shots at the halfway mark. Sticking to their task, however, and with the encouragement of the rest of the team, a better second half, helped by some big shots from Brian, stopped the rot and reduced the final deficit to 15.

Captain Don Poole skipped against Brian Dowling on rink five and gained a comfortable 15-shot win with the help of three fives along the way. This rink's performance was vital to the overall success as they were invariably cancelling out the deficit that was occurring on the adjoining rink.

A much-needed win then and two good performances puts Saundersfoot in mid-table and will hopefully stand the team in good stead for the second half of the season.

Rink scores with Saundersfoot first and Pembroke Dock skips only were:

Graham Hughes, Neil Hensman, Steve Dick, Joe Dennis 22; Reg Thomas 13.

Roy Kennion, Paul Blayney, Brian Desmond, Myrddin Dennis 19; Brian Cole 14.

Mike Oliver, Nev Ruff, Dave Roberts, Brian McKehon 12; Richard Jones 27.

Alan Brace, Adam Hensman, John Dugmore, Don Poole 29; Brian Dowling 14.

PATER 69

ST. ISSELL'S 76

St. Issell's travelled to play Pater, of Pembroke Dock, last week and made it three wins out of three in their Brains Cup group games to reach the final for the first time when they will play the holders for the last two years, St. Thomas, of Haverfordwest.

It was thanks to a spirited last few ends that they achieved their goal as, after 18 played, Pater led by 10 shots.

Of the 12 ends left to play in total, however, St. Issell's won 10 of them and left the lads eagerly anticipating the final which will be played on Whitland later this month.

Rink one saw Roy Pring and Co win by nine shots with the help of a five and four along the way.

On rink two, the Barrie Lee-led foursome were two shots down after 13 of the 21 ends had been played, but only conceded one more shot, whilst picking up 15 themselves to record a 12-shot win.

On rink three, Edward Smith, Mike Oliver, Mike Carr and Stew Howe led nine shots to six after 10 ends, but then failed to score for the next eight to trail by nine. Either something woke them up or Stew's threatening stare worked wonders because a two, a four and a two led to just a one-shot defeat.

Rink four saw Brian Deeley skip against Steve James and win only seven ends to go down by 13. They, too, did their bit over the final three ends, however, by outscoring their opponents three shots to one.

Rink scores with St. Issell's first and Pater skips only were:

Bill Glynn, John Haig, Dave Roberts, Roy Pring 23; M. Hyde 14.

George Cavell, Graham Roberts, Brian McKehon, Barrie Lee 25; B. Duncombe 13.

Edward Smith, Mike Oliver, Mike Carr, Stew Howe 17; S. John 18.

John Bingham, Bob Storey, Neil Hensman, Brian Deeley 11; S. James 24.

FIXTURES

Next Sunday in a rehearsal of the Brains Cup final, St. Issell's play St. Thomas away, whilst the Saundersfoot ladies team also travel to Haverfordwest to play Picton.

Next Thursday, both ladies teams are in action, with Saundersfoot entertaining local rivals Tenby and St. Issell's travelling to Pembroke.

WWBA TWO-WOOD SINGLES

One of four area heats of the Welsh Women's Bowling Association two-wood singles competition takes place at Saundersfoot tomorrow (Saturday).

Played on a knock-out basis, the winner on the day will proceed to the semi-final stage which will take place in September at St. Julian's bowling green, Newport, the home of this year's WWBA president, Mrs. Carol Booth.

COMMITTEE MEETING

Members of the committee are reminded that there is a meeting in the club next Monday, July 9, at 6 pm.

MEn'S OPEN WEEK

The closing date for those wishing to enter the above tournament is next Sunday, July 8.