FIVE ARCHES 92 (12 pts) v ST. ISSELL’S 66 (2 pts)
After playing their last three league games away from home, the Arches were delighted to be back at HQ playing on our superb green at Sutton Street. The visitors were our old friends from Saundersfoot, St. Issell’s.With a large group of supporters enjoying the beautiful weather on offer, it was great to see three Arches stalwarts, Gwyn Beynon, Ray Holly and Roy Powling, supporting their former team-mates. Also in attendance were former club president Ben Owens with wife Marnie, life member Pauline, Vera and numerous others too many to mention; the Arches players responded with another solid display.
On rink one, Ashley and his rink of Joe, Jonno and Tony were up against Stuart Howe and his men. After dropping a shot on the first end, they promptly picked up nine in the next three ends, although by the 12th end, the game was all-square at 10 shots each. After that, the Arches boys began to pull away as over the next nine ends they picked up another 12 shots to the visitors’ seven, to run out winners by 22 shots to 17. On rink two, Dai and his crew were once again unlucky with the draw, being up against a rink consisting of skip Brian McKehon, Neil Hensman, new bowler Peter Williams and Neville Ruff, probably the strongest of the St. Issell’s rinks. At 10 ends, the game was finely poised at six shots to five to the visitors, but on the 15th end the St. Issell’s foursome picked up five shots to lead by nine. Although the Arches fought hard to close the gap, the game ended with the visitors winning by 19 shots to 12.
On rink three, Gerald and his rink of Ron, Bill and Peter were once again top rink with a 35 shots to 11 win. Picking up numerous counts, including a seven on the 14th end, they cruised to another impressive victory. Rink four saw another productive day for Tiger and his cubs, although there was a late withdrawal on this rink, as John had to dash home to a home emergency after this good wife had taken a fall. A hasty phone call by the captain to Ray French at 1.25 pm saw Ray grab his Arches shirt, jump into his car and he was ready to play at 2 pm - well done Ray, a proper clubman. Although the rink was losing by 12 shots to eight at the tea-break, another strong finish by the cubs saw them home by 23 shots to 19.
Next league game is away to St. Thomas of Haverfordwest this Sunday, June 16.
Rink scores (Five Arches first, St. Issell’s skips only):
Joe Hewitt, Jonathan Hubbard, Tony Powling, Ashley Hooper 22; Stuart Howe 17.
Mike Gouldingay, Harold Ebdon, Ken Lloyd, Dai Spencer 12; B. McKehon 19.
Ron Hurlow, Bill Benham, Peter Hooper, Gerald Hewitt 35; B. Desmond 11.
Ray French, Steve Davies, Clive Webb, Ray Taylor 23; B. Lee 19.