SAUNDERSFOOT OPEN WEEK

The annual Saundersfoot Bowling Club Open Week competitions reached their climax last Saturday when the winners of the three tournaments were decided. The Osborne Singles Trophy was won by John Roberts, of Tenby, who defeated Phil Jones, of the Brynhyfryd club in Llanelli, by 21 shots to 13 in a thrilling final lasting two-and-a-quarter hours. This was John's third triumph in this competition, having also been victorious in 2007 and 2010. The Poole Bowls Pairs final was an all Saundersfoot affair with 20-year-old Joe Dennis and 22-year-old Adam Hensman defeating current club president Ann Lewis and past president John Dugmore by 27 shots to 12 to mean the title going to the youngest ever pairing. The Absolute Bowls Trophy was won again by Peter Toomey, of the Guest Memorial Club in Merthyr, who defeated Brian McKehon, of Saundersfoot, by 21 shots to 17. Losing semi-finalists in the Osborne Singles were Colin Jones, of Kidwelly, and Lyn Guy, of Berwick on Tweed, whilst the nearly men in the pairs event were David and Brian Kingdon, of Kidwelly, and Ray Taylor and Gerald Hewitt, of Tenby. The weather mainly held fine and sunny throughout the week with rain only arriving on Friday evening leading to one of the pairs semi-finals having to be completed on Saturday morning. The awards ceremony was led by the competition organiser Paul Blayney, accompanied by Don Poole representing the Osborne and Poole family and club president Ann Lewis. Paul thanked all the competitors and supporters for making the event such a success, as well as the Heritage Park in Stepaside and Absolute Bowls for their sponsorship. Nev Ruff was thanked for setting out the green every morning and for ensuring that markers were available for every singles match, as well as always being available to help and mark when not playing. Allen Brace, John Arman, Roy Kennion, Neil Hensman and Adam Hensman were particularly thanked for their attendance to assist each day, as well as all the other markers. The ladies of the club, led by vice-chairlady Diane Rigden, earned particular praise for all their hardwork preparing meals and refreshments each day and club treasurer Mike Ashbridge and other volunteers were thanked for their work manning the bar. The greens committee, consisting of Nev Ruff, Allen Brace, Roy Kennion and Joe Dennis were thanked for their work, not only during the week, but also throughout the season as were Nev and Adam Hensman who, after the Friday night deluge, were up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, removing surface water and ensuring that all was well for the day's play. Nev and Neil had been given the honour of marking the two singles finals and manning the scoreboards were Roy Kennion, John Arman, Allen Brace, John Haig, Ken Davis and Tommy Nutt. Fred Rogers was thanked for attending each day and umpiring the whole event, as were all those who had donated raffle prizes. Paul rounded off by again thanking everybody for their support and for making his task such a pleasurable one. Club president Ann Lewis then thanked Paul for all his hard work, Diane Rigden and the ladies for organising the food, Fred Rogers for umpiring and the greens committee, all of whom received gifts to show the club's appreciation. Ann also thanked everyone for their support, making particular mention of some of the younger competitors, such as Megan Davies and 11-year-old Iestyn Williams from Penygraig in the Rhondda who was competing in his first open competition. Club chairman Myrddin Dennis rounded off the proceedings with the raffle, as well as adding his thanks to all involved. The full list of results for the week were:

Osborne Singles

Preliminary round: Steve Dick 21 Ken Davis 9; Tom Nutt 21 Allen Brace 14; Dilwyn Jones 17 Adam Hensman 21; Mike Gouldingay 21 Paul Blayney 15; Peter Toomey 21 John Haig 10. First round: Peter Toomey 14 Brian Richards 21; Mal Griffiths 5 Colin Jones 21; Phil Jones 21 Myrddin Dennis 20; Dave Kingdon 21 George Cavell 2; Dai Thomas 15 Rod Hugh 19 (conceded); John Dugmore 21 Nigel Davies 20; Peter Guyett 3 Steve Williams 21; Tom Daniel 21 Peter Williams 11; Nev Ruff 10 John Roberts 21; Iestyn Williams 6 Ian Davies 21; Ray Taylor 9 Lyn Guy 21; Brian McKehon 15 Morgan Holmes 21; Neil Hensman 18 Josh Jones 21; Eric Dezille 14 Brian Kingdon 21; Steve Dick 9 Tom Nutt 21; Mike Gouldingay21 Adam Hensman 6. Second round: Tom Nutt 18 Mike Gouldingay 21; Brian Richards 11 Colin Jones 21; Phil Jones 21 Dave Kingdon 20; Dai Thomas 10 John Dugmore 21; Steve Williams 8 Tom Daniel 21; John Roberts 21 Ian Davies 7; Lyn Guy 21 Morgan Holmes 8; Josh Jones 11 Brian Kingdon 21. Quarter-finals: Mike Gouldingay 11 Colin Jones 21; Phil Jones 21 John Dugmore 15; Tom Daniel 10 John Roberts21; Lyn Guy 21 Brian Kingdon 12. Semi-finals: Colin Jones 12 Phil Jones 21; John Roberts 21 Lyn Guy 13. Final: John Roberts 21 Phil Jones 13.

Poole Bowls Pairs

First round: Steve Dick & Nev Ruff 25 Nigel Davies & Steve Reese 22; Brian Richards & Rod Hugh 23 Peter Jenkins & Marley Hughes 13; Adam Hensman & Joe Dennis 24 Steve Davies & Chris Denby 18; Tony Wilks & Billy Jones 28 Brian & Sue McKehon 14; Myrddin Dennis & Brian Desmond 16 Eric Dezille & Steph Amos 24; Peter & Kath Williams 7 Paul & Kath Blayney 29; John Haig & Sue Roden 18 Neil Hensman & Jonathan Hubbard 19; Ray Taylor & Gerald Hewitt w/o v Mike Oliver & Chris Harris; John Dugmore & Ann Lewis 26 George Cavell & Peter Toomey 6; Dilwyn Jones & Tom Nutt 30 Marion Evans & Di Disney 15; Billy Glynn & Mike Carr 15 Tom Daniel & Megan Davies 19; Allen Brace & Mike Ashbridge 26 Mike Gouldingay & Peter Guyett 8; Colin Jones & Ian Davies 26 Steve and Iestyn Williams 15; Phil Jones & Mal Griffiths 31 Josh Jones and Morgan Holmes 14. Second round: Brian & Dave Kingdon 23 John Roberts & Lyn Guy 20; S. Dick & N. Ruff 16 B. Richards & R. Hugh 19 A. Hensman & J. Dennis w/o v T. Wilks & B. Jones; E. Dezille & G. Amos 23 P. & K. Blayney 11; N. Hensman & J. Hubbard 15 R. Taylor & G. Hewitt 19; J. Dugmore & A. Lewis 20 D. Jones & T. Nutt 10; T. Daniel & M. Davies 20 A. Brace & M. Ashbridge 18; C. Jones & I. Davies 17 P. Jones & M. Griffiths 23. Quarter-finals: B. Richards and R. Hugh 13 A. Hensman and J. Dennis 25; E. Dezille & S. Amos 21 R. Taylor & G. Hewitt 24; J. Dugmore & A. Lewis 23 T. Daniel & M. Davies 6; P. Jones & M. Griffiths 20 B. & D. Kingdon 27. Semi-finals: A. Hensman & J. Dennis 23 R. Taylor & G. Hewitt 14; J. Dugmore & A. Lewis 22 B. & D. Kingdon 21 (after extra end). Final: A. Hensman & J. Dennis 27 J. Dugmore & A. Lewis 12.

Absolute Bowls Trophy

Preliminary round: P. Williams 10 D. Jones 21; J. Haig 21 I. Williams 19; M. Holmes 21 S. Williams 16. Quarter-finals: D. Jones 13 J. Haig 21; M. Holmes 20 P. Toomey 21; N. Davies 20 J. Jones 21; B. McKehon 21 K. Davies 19. Semi-finals: J. Haig 12 P. Toomey 21; J. Jones 16 B. McKehon 21. Final: P. Toomey 21 B. McKehon 21.

BRAINS CUP FINAL

The St. Issell's men's team travelled to Fishguard last Sunday to play the Brains Cup final against Neyland. Unfortunately, they came up against inspired opponents and were comprehensively defeated by 101 shots to 56. Only three shots adrift after five ends, a close encounter seemed in prospect and at the half-way point, only eight shots separated the teams with Neyland just keeping their noses in front. Thereafter, Neyland surged ahead and leading by 22 after 15 ends, the result was never in doubt. Billy Glynn, the St. Issell's captain, was magnanimous in defeat, accepting that, although disappointed, the better team had won on the day, but said that he was still proud of his team for getting through the group stages and reaching the final. The trophy was presented to the winning Neyland captain Gordon Robson by the Pembrokeshire County Bowling Association President Alan Newbury who thanked his club and junior vice-president Paul Blayney for their support on the day and congratulated both teams for an excellent match that had been played in the right spirit. Rink scores with St. Issell's first and Neyland skips only were: Doug Silcox, Don Pope, Ken Davis, Barrie Lee 11 Alan King 24. John Arman, Peter Williams, John Haig, Don Poole 13 Gordon Robson 28. Mike Oliver, Peter Guyett, Brian McKehon, Stew Howe 18 Brian McKay 21. Billy Glynn, Eric George, Neil Hensman, Mike Carr 14 Colwyn Phelps 28.

WEST WALES LADIES BOWLING ASSOCIATION

The semi-final stages of the ladies county competitions take place today and tomorrow at the Saundersfoot green, home of this year's senior vice-president Ceris Hewlings. All those competing are wished the best of luck, refreshments will be available and spectators are welcome.

FIXTURES

The week's forthcoming fixtures include the Saundersfoot men's team playing Milford Haven away tomorrow, the Saundersfoot ladies team playing Pembroke Dock Park away on Sunday and hosting Tenby on Tuesday and the St. Issell's ladies travelling to play Pembroke Dock on Monday. Would members please note that there is additional friendly match on Monday, August 18, with a fun match against the Tenby Lions. This fixture is a thank you for the support given to the Saundersfoot club in recent seasons by the Lions and will be followed by a buffet in the clubhouse. An availability sheet can be found on the notice board and the support of the members would be appreciated.