SAUNDERSFOOT v WELSH BOWLING ASSOCIATION

The Welsh Bowling Association president, Mr. John Davies, of Abercynon, honoured Saundersfoot last week by bringing an invited team to play the villagers in a match to commemorate the Pembrokeshire club's golden jubilee.

Originally planned for last year, the fixture had to be rescheduled due to wet weather, but what a contrast this time with the match being blessed with warm sunshine.

The game itself was played, as you would expect, in a friendly, but competitive atmosphere with the result secondary to the winner which was the game of bowls.

For those of you interested in statistics, the WBA were victorious by 131 shots to 75, but then it would have been discourteous to have had it any other way!

Following the game, a splendid meal was enjoyed in the clubhouse, provided by the hardworking ladies of the club, after which chairman Paul Blayney officially welcomed and thanked president John and the WBA for their attendance.

Paul welcomed also senior vice-president Gerard Thomas from Pembroke Dock and assistant Welsh secretaries David Evans and Garry Brown who happened to be, as Paul, a native of Cwmparc in the Rhondda Valley.

Three special guests, invited by Saundersfoot were also welcomed, namely Tom Osborne, a past president himself of the WBA, Roger Gosnold, the current Pembrokeshire Bowling Association president, and Don Poole who was the first person to gain international recognition from the club.

A short history of the Saundersfoot club was then given mentioning the many male and female members who have represented Wales in various events and continue to do so, as well as those who have gained county honours.

Administratively too, the club had provided county presidents of both sexes and as Tom Osborne had been WBA president, so had Mary Cavell received a similar honour having been a past president of the Welsh Women's Bowling Association.

Paul concluded by thanking the ladies, bar staff, green keepers and all those members who continue to work so hard for the club before presenting the president with a commemorative gift, plus club tie and wishing everyone a safe journey home.

John in response, said how much he and his team had enjoyed the day before reminding Paul of their associations going back many years when he was secretary of the Mid Glamorgan Bowling Association and Paul, as a director of a local clothing company was sponsoring his team.

Indeed, he remembered an occasion over 25 years ago when Paul, having won a county singles title on Merthyr West End had 'phoned him to say that his name had been misspelt the following year in the county handbook!

Paul, as well as George Cavell, club treasurer, and Tom and Roger were then presented with a souvenir of the occasion.

A successful day then to go with the other commemorative games that had taken place in 2012 and another occasion when old friendships were renewed and new ones made.

Rink scores with Saundersfoot first and WBA skips only were:

Peter Guyett, Don Pope, Nev Ruff, Steve Dick 15 Noel Tippett 15.

Tony Wheeler, Peter Williams, Alan Brace, Brian Deeley 10 Gareth Humphreys 31.

Mike Ashbridge, John Haig, Neil Hensman, Paul Blayney 11 Paul Diment 19.

George Cavell, Roger Gosnold, Don Poole, Roy Pring 15 John Hill 14.

Dennis Reed, Dennis Ball, Stuart King Thomas, Barrie Lee, 11 David Evans 30.

Billy Glynn, Graham Roberts, Roy Kennion, John Dugmore 13 Alan Brown 22.

SAUNDERSFOOT 76 PENDINE 79

Saundersfoot had a disappointing result last Saturday when they were defeated by bottom of the table Pendine by just three shots.

Only picking up two points from the 14 available, leaves the team with plenty to do over their remaining seven matches to ensure they remain in the top flight, although with five of these at home, this should be achieved.

Rink scores with Saundersfoot first and Pendine skips only were:

Alan Brace, Mike Ashbridge, Neil Hensman, Roy Pring 16 Arwel Edwards 23.

Roy Kennion, Billy Glynn, Paul Blayney, Brian Desmond 17 Dave King Thomas 21.

Nev Ruff, Doug Silcox, Brian McKehon, Steve Dick 19 Mal Evans 22.

Brian Deeley, Stew Howe, Graham Hughes, John Dugmore 24 Stuart King Thomas 13.

ST. ISSELL'S LADIES

The ladies of St. Issell's had a successful week's bowling by winning two matches, both at home.

Entertaining Fishguard, they gained a 16-shot win to pick up all six points and two days later defeated Pembroke Dock Park by three shots, winning four points.

The girls who played in the games were captain Kath Blayney, Beryl Lewis, Rene Silcox, Christine Harris, Lyn Statters, Diane Rigden, Audrey Williams and Sue Roden.

SAUNDERSFOOT IN BLOOM AWARD

Congratulations to Brian Deeley who, on behalf of Saundersfoot Bowling Club has won a first prize in the Saundersfoot in Bloom competition for the marvellous hanging baskets that can be seen outside the pavilion.

Two other members have also won awards this year for their private garden displays, namely Ann Lewis and Alan Brace.