Arches triumphant in Brains Cup Final

Last Sunday, the Five Arches played against St. Thomas in the Brains Cup final.All the Arches players knew they were in for a very tough encounter as the Tommies had won the last three finals, and would not relinquish their hold on the trophy without a fight. And what a final it turned out to be with the Arches sealing victory with the last bowl of the game to win by one shot.The win was built on a superb team effort with every player showing a determined attitude to take the cup back to our Sutton Street headquarters.

The Tommies made the better start to the game and by the 10th end were leading by 49 shots to 26, and things were looking bleak for the Arches. However, by the 15th end the Arches had reduced the deficit to 13 shots. At this stage of the game, the experience of our four skips started to pay dividends as the deficit was reducing all the time with every Arches player doing their bit for the cause. By the 21st end with three rinks completed, the deficit was down to four shots with Tiger and the cubs playing the last end knowing they had to make a five to win the cup. With John, Steve, Clive all drawing into the head, they were holding four shots.

John Dockerty, the Tommies skip, then drew second shot, then up stepped Tiger who took the bowl out as sweet as a nut for the Arches to still be holding the four shots. Dockerty then played a running wood into the head and missed. With the game tied, it was down to Ray to draw another shot with his last bowl for the Arches to lift the trophy. Cometh the hour cometh the man, Ray played a lovely weighted bowl to draw the fifth shot required for victory. This was the first time in the game that the Arches were ahead.

A very proud captain was then presented with the cup by Mr. Roger Gosnold, the president of the Pembroke County Bowling Association. It was then to the bar to celebrate and to enjoy a lovely meal provided by the Pendine ladies. The Arches players would like to thank all of our supporters who travelled to cheer us on, although outnumbered by the Tommies followers, ours certainly made themselves heard, well done everyone. Rink scores, Five Arches first, St. Thomas skips only:

Rink one: Joe Hewitt, Jon Hubbard, Tony Powling, Ashley Hooper 23 Len Hoad 14.
Rink two: John Rees, Steve Davies, Clive Webb, Ray Taylor 20 John Dockerty 14.
Rink three: Harold Ebdon, Kevin Lewis, Ken Lloyd, Dai Spencer 16 Mike Richards 22.
Rink four: Ron Hurlow, Jim Taylor, Peter Hooper, Gerald Hewitt 17 Lyndon Frayling 25.