Saundersfoot 72 (2 Points) Tenby Sharks 88 (12 Points)
27th June 2015
The 2nd local derby between Saundersfoot and Tenby Sharks, sponsored by Molson Coors, took place last Saturday on a sunny June’s day. Both sides, having qualified from their respective Carruthers Groups, and having both won their opening rounds of the Carruthers Shield were coming into this game in top form and were looking to maintain momentum leading into the last 32 round of games next (tomorrow). Rink 2 saw Andrew Muskett resume skipping duties from Lee Williamson who was in Scotland for the BIBC Championships. Peter Day played third, with Vice-Captain Gerald Hewitt returning to the rink with Aaron Lloyd. A great start for the Tenby rink saw them pick up an immediate fours shots on the first end. Disaster struck immediately and they dropped a count of four on the second end. The Saundersfoot rink skipped by former International Berywn Dennis then won nine out the next 10 ends to take a commanding lead 22-5. With Adam Hensman, former Tenby Supremo, Macky Brace and County Senior Team Manager, John Dugmore in great form, the Saundersfoot rink had total dominance in the match and ran out comfortable winners 30-14. Rink 3: A change in personal saw Luke Rees return to Kerian Peregrines rink for the first time this season, with Huw Nicholas replacing the absent Jon Webb and Chris Court replacing John Roberts who was on international duty in Scotland. Saundersfoot, skipped by former International Stephen Poole, son and nephew of the legendary Graham and Don Poole, got off to a flier taking a 7-0 lead after only three ends. However, Tenby’s four certainly upped their game and won seven out of the next eight ends to lead by four shots (12-8). With the Saundersfoot rink only scoring three more singles, the Tenby four deserved their 15 shot win (26-11).
Rink 4: Craig Guymer, Luke Guymer, Mike Jackson and David Rees got off to a great start against Steve Dick’s foursome. A count of five shots and three counts of two shots saw a lead of eight shots after only 7 ends (12-4). Credit to the Saundersfoot rink who fought their way back into the game by winning the next 5 ends to reduce the gap by a single shot (12-11) at twelve ends. Tenby came back, winning the next four ends to lead 18-11 after sixteen ends. A dropped count of four shots on the 20th end made life a little more interesting (19-17) but the Tenby four again recovered to take a count of three shots on the final end to record a fine win against a good Saundersfoot rink 22-17. Rink 5: Paul Diment skipped his usual rink of International Ryan Thomas, Joe Richards, Tenby Captain and County Lead Cameron White. A dropped count of three shots on the first end, followed by winning the next four ends saw the Tenby rink edge a two shot lead (5-3) against the Merv Dennis rink. A count of four shots followed for the Tenby rink and over the next six ends Tenby were reduced to taking single shots which was down to some tremendous play by the Saundersfoot Skipper who saved counts of five and four on a few occasions. At fourteen ends, the Tenby rink held a comfortable lead of seven shots (14-7) but then on the very next end, the Saundersfoot ‘third’ Brian Desmond played two very good bowls which ended up with the villagers taking a count of five shots. To the Tenby rink’s credit, they changed gear as they have done so well throughout the season when needed, and won five out of the next six ends (12-2) to record a final winning margin of 26-14.
In conclusion a great game played in great spirit which could have gone either way. A win by sixteen shots did flatter the Tenby team and with every Tenby rink taking counts of three shots on the very last end, it could have been so different if just two of the Saundersfoot rinks had scored on those last ends. But upon refelcetion that’s why the Sharks have won the league title for the past seven seasons - making those small margins count when it really matters. Good luck to Saundersfoot against Blaenrhondda. Saundersfoot will certainly go into their match as favourites and on behalf the Tenby team our very best wishes and should both clubs be successful, then they will met at the last 16 stage at the Tenby Sutton Street HQ.