PEMBROKE DOCK 62 (2 pts) SAUNDERSFOOT 91 (12)

Saundersfoot did the league double over Pembroke Dock last Saturday with an emphatic away victory by 29 shots.

On a cloudy day that threatened, but did not deliver rain, the villagers led from the off and were never at any stage in danger of not winning their sixth league game of what has been a disappointing season.

Fielding a near full strength side certainly helped, as all too often captain Don Poole and his selectors have been faced with not having everyone available and consequently not being able to achieve any consistency.

Having to promote Brian McKehon to skip in June has certainly been a revelation and so it proved again as, playing on rink one, with Mike Oliver, Dave Roberts and Neil Hensman against the Dave Buchanan quartet, an 11-shot lead had been established after just four ends.

At the halfway point, the scoreline read 16 shots to three, but as so often happens, a break for tea led to a change of fortunes.

The home rink slowly fought their way back into contention and reduced the deficit to just two playing the last end, but only managed a single to leave a victory for Saundersfoot by the narrowest of margins, 18 shots to 17.

Berwyn Dennis skipped Graham Hughes, Adam Hensman and nephew Joe on rink two against Reg Thomas, who must have wished he was somewhere else as the scores against mounted up. Picking up a five on the first end was a sign of things to come as two more similar counts ensued during the game in a 42 shots to six win.

Alongside Berwyn, Roy Kennion, Paul Blayney, Brian Desmond and skip Myrddin Dennis were not having the same success as they tried all afternoon to come to terms with rink three. Home advantage here was a distinct plus point and with skip Richard Jones and third Ken Edwards in sparkling form, the scoreline of 22 to nine in the Dockers favour was a true reflection of the afternoon's exertions.

Rink four saw Don Poole skip Alan Brace, Nev Ruff and Steve Dick against Brian Dowling, with honours being even after 10 ends. The home four, however, had taken a five shot lead after 15 played, but a strong finish eased the captain's foursome home by 22 shots to 16.

This win lifts Saundersfoot one place up the table at the expense of Pembroke Dock and with two games left to play, a mid-table final position is assured.

JOE DENNIS

Congratulations to 18-year-old Joe Dennis who played for the Pembrokeshire under 25s in their recent success in winning the Welsh Bowling Association double rink competition at Llandrindod Wells.

Joe, a regular in the villagers' Division One side and full county team, played in both the semi-final win over Montgomeryshire and the final victory over West Glamorgan.

The squad contained young players from Tenby and Haverfordwest, as well as Saundersfoot, and is a tremendous achievement for the county and county manager Colin Wynn, who would like to thank the players for their efforts and also those who made the journey to Mid Wales to support the lads.

LADIES NATIONAL COMPETITION SUCCESS

Saundersfoot ladies will yet again be represented at the finals of the Welsh Women's Bowling Association competitions this weekend.

Ceris Hewlings is through to the singles semi-finals and together with Kath Blayney will contest the pairs at the last four stage.

Ceris and Kath, together with club mate Ann Lewis, are the current Welsh triples champions and British Isles runners-up and the two of them are sent best wishes in their quest for more national titles for Saundersfoot.

Junior international Gemma Amos, meanwhile, has qualified in the Under 25 pairs and will also be playing in the Under 25s rinks competition with our own Rachel Hensman, Ysie White (Tenby) and Katie Thomas (Whitland). Ysie and Katie are also in other singles competitions and are wished well.

FIXTURES

Rain yet again proved the curse of the summer last week when the friendly against Bath and Bristol Barbarians had to be cancelled.

Hopefully the weather will not intervene in the next batch of fixtures which begin today (Friday) with a rearranged game between the two ladies' teams at the club.

Tomorrow, the Saundersfoot gentlemen play their last home game of 2012 when they entertain Milford Haven, whilst the ladies of St. Issell's also play Milford at home.

The St. Issell's men travel to Neyland on Sunday for their last Pembrokeshire Division Two game of the season and the ladies of Saundersfoot will also be there playing the ladies of the club.

On Monday, there is a mixed friendly against Barnwood Bowling Club and on Tuesday, the St. Issell's ladies play yet another rearranged game, this time away at Fishguard.

Also on Tuesday, the Meyrick Owen rink play Cromie away.

On Thursday, there is the final game to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary when there is a men's game against the Welsh Barbarians.

All fixtures start at 2 pm.

CLUB

COMPETITIONS

There are still a few semi-final matches to be played and the weather at the moment is defeating some attempts to play them.

Although September 1 is the closing date on the notice board, if games are running late, then these must be completed by mid-week in order to compile a timetable for finals weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9.

CLUB DINNER

Members are reminded that names and deposits are required for the Saundersfoot golden anniversary dinner and dance which takes place at the Merlewood Hotel on Friday, October 12.

All details can be found on the notice board in the clubhouse.