Five Arches Ladies v Haverfordwest Picton

FIVE ARCHES LADIES 6 pts. HAVERFORDWEST PICTON 0

29 May 2014

Five Arches ladies travelled to Haverfordwest last Thursday, playing back to back games against Picton ladies. Their first game resulted in a four points to two victory for the Arches ladies in a very close encounter, with just one shot separating the teams. This away game was also close, but finished with a six points victory for the Arches ladies, with the scores at 30 shots to 26.  Alison's rink of Carol, Ginnie and Mair found themselves battling against a strong Haverfordwest rink that included 14-year-old Kirsty Evans, who was encouraged throughout, but the Arches ladies were always in control and, despite dropping a four on the 13th end, they went on to win by three shots.

 Helen was supported by Liz, Meryl and Gerry, who had an even tighter tussle against their opponents, who included another 14-year-old, Sara Davies. After 21 ends there was just one shot in it and it was Helen's team that left the green triumphant.  With the game over and Tenby ladies set to navigate their way out of Haverfordwest, there was panic in one of the cars after taking a wrong turning. Fortunately for all on board, the 'missing teapot lady' knew how to get out of Haverfordwest and got the ladies home safe and sound,

Five Arches v Pembroke Dock

FIVE ARCHES 79 shots (2 pts) PEMBROKE DOCK 105 (12)

31 May 2014

Last Saturday, the visitors to Sutton Street were Pembroke Dock. They produced a fine performance against the Five Arches to return to the Dock with 12 points to the Arches' two. This was another disappointing result for the Arches. coming on the back of the defeat the previous Saturday against Pendine, with Gerald skipping the only winning rink to gain the two points.  This game was played out on rink one against Richard Hissey and his men. At the tea break, the Arches four were trailing by 13 shots to nine,  by end 16 the deficit was six shots. The G Men then produced a superb finish, winning the last five ends and picking up 11 shots in the process, to win 25 shots to 20.

Rink two saw Dai and his rink drawn against Richard Jones and his men. This was a game of two halves,  as at the 10-end break, the Arches four were leading 13 shots to five, but after tea, the opposition went into overdrive. picking up 12 shots over the next six ends to lead 17 shots to 13. The remaining ends also went the way of the Dock, seeing them pick up another nine shots to the Arches' five.  On rink four, the captain's rink had another disappointing day, up against the wily Brian Dowling and his men.  Although winning 10 of the 21 ends, with a six included on the 15th end, the Arches four dropped too many big counts, and went down by 31 shots to 20.  Alongside on rink five, Ray Taylor and his cubs found themselves drawn against Dave Buchanan and his crew. The Dockers were fast out of the blocks, leading nine shots to nil after four ends. From then on Tiger's cubs were always playing catch-up, eventually going down by 28 shots to 16. 
 
Rink scores (Five Arches first, Pembroke Dock skips only) were as follows:

John Rees, Steve Davies, Neil Dickinson, Gerald Hewitt 25; Richard Hissey 20.
Kevin Lewis, Thomas Lewis, Ken Lloyd, Dai Spencer 18; Richard Jones 26.
Jonno Hubbard, Tony Powling, Steve Williams, Ashley Hooper 20; Brian Dowling 31.
Harold Ebdon, Steve Sheldon, Peter Hooper, Ray Taylor 16; Dave Buchanan 28.

Milford Haven v Tenby

MILFORD HAVEN 71 shots (0) TENBY 94 (14 pts)

31 May 2014

The games come thick and fast this time of year which leaves the N. D. Toy & Partners Ltd sponsored Tenby team little chance for recovery between games. This can cause injuries and a few have recently been picked up.  However, Tenby have a strong squad this year after some good transfer deals completed by Peter Day in the Tenby bar during the Valero Tournament last season. This season, thus far, has seen very high performance levels from individuals due to competition for places and players becoming worried about their places as the new manager (Joe Richards) was keen to emphasise that past loyalties and past accomplishments meant nothing (shrewd move by Paul Diment to volunteer to be assistant manager then!).  Some more changes by the management team for the game against Milford Haven - both the manager and the assistant manager were in fact missing for the game. Paul was scouting potential Champions League opponents, while Joe was attending a Champions League meeting in Brussels.  However, Andrew Muskett came out of management retirement to help out - another shrewd move me thinks! Anyway, back to the action.

Rink one: The Guymers played their first third/skip partnership and along with Alan Whitehouse and the returning Ben Sheldon (knee injury) saw off the challenge of Jim Thomas 23-13.  Rink two: Pegs came back to winning ways, beating Lee Power 26-19 (scoring 1 1 shots to nil over the last five ends). However, disaster has struck as a very poor challenge has left Pegs injured (leg). Joe Richards has been contacted by Pegs who will miss the league match against Pembroke Dock and have a late fitness test or the game against Whitland. ln the meantime, Pegs has obtained permission to return to Ammanford to his own team of physios.

Rink three: John Roberts restored as skip after some tinkering by the management saw him also return to winning ways - bit of a cert these days when you play with Webby — still 100 per cent record for the one club man! Luke Rues also returned from a spell in the reserves and he was joined by Fred Broomhead for a 27-22 shot victory. The only negative side was that there were no substitutes for this game as the lack of match practice for Fred and Luke was telling as they lost all the last six ends. Good job John Baggott was on international duties with the national team, otherwise more prawn sandwiches could have been thrown around the directors' box!  Rink four: Andrew Muskett's four, with Dai Rees also making a long-awaited return from the first game of the season, had a very tight fought victory over Gareth Jones. This game was always close and a dropped count of four, not the first either ( !), saw the usual, calm calculated Tenby skip descend into panic - in fact, Joe could feel the tension all the way back in Brussels.  Still a very good win 18-17 and another winning rink. Tomorrow sees a further challenge, with Tenby playing away at Whitland. The management have promised to field their Champions League team, but with a number of injuries. they may not be able to - Pegs (leg); Cameron White (non-bowling arm); Whitehouse (bowling arm) and Muskett (hookitus).

Tenby v Whitland

TENBY 100 shots (12 pts) WHITLAND 60 (2)

28 May 2014

The N. D. Toy & Partners Ltd. sponsored Tenby team returned to action in the league a week last Wednesday, hosting Whitland.  Some tinkering by the Tenby selection duo saw some changes of not only personnel, but of positions.  After having questions relayed to him by the media in the pre-match conference, captain Joe Richards explained that he was still unsure what his best team is in relation to the Carruthers Shield (Champions League). Therefore, there were opportunities for others to stake their claim in the 'European Squad.)

Rink one: New transfer signing Ryan Thomas, who has moved from Haverfordwest. has settled in well and was once again entrusted with a skips' berth,  He was ably supported by Jon Webb, who is entering his testimonial year fur the Tenby club after 27 years’ service.  Ben Simmons and Joe Richards made up the front end partnership.  With an early score on the first end (5), followed by a number of 2s,  the home side took control and at half-time led 13-7 against the Whitland rink led by captain Glyndwr Thomas.  At 15 ends, the gap was narrowed to 15-12 and all of a sudden things did not look so good.  John Baggott raced down from the directors' box to sort things out in typical Mourinho style and soon got things back on track - the rink winning five out of the last six ends to finish 21-15 up.  Rink two: Andrew Muskett  skipped against Cohn Wynn and had a comfortable night. apart from one end when his defending left a lot to be desired, hooking two clearances, to drop a count of four. Extra technical training by personal coach Gareth Humphreys has been requested.
However, with Chris Thomas, another transfer acquisition for an undisclosed fee from Llanelli having another great game, the Tenby four were always in control. This was emphasised by them winning seven out of the last eight ends, 14-1. The final score 25-12.

Rink three: The Guymers returned from pre-season a little late, but after accepting a club record fine were quick to show that the extra rest was well worth the wait, with both having great performances.  Huw Nicholas, a free transfer from Whitland due to the Bosman ruling, had another very good game and is making his claim for a place in the Champions League team. With Paul making what is becoming a rare appearance in his twilight years, the Tenby four were always in control.  Such was their superiority the maximum 'count' they dropped was a single - well, there was one count of a two dropped, but I claim poetic licence! In the end, despite good performances from John Rees and Liam Price for Whitland, it was a win for Tenby 31-8.  Rink 4: Steve Reese, who as a former Gold Cup winner, has never taken up the option of joining the Tenby club, despite a special buy-out clause in his contract , had a great game, skipping Whitland's only winning rink, Steve was up against Tenby's record signing from Ammanford, Kieran Peregrine.  As well as Steve, it must be said that his rink all played very well and secured a very good victory in light of the Tenby rink featuring three Welsh internationals - but the bigger they are and all that. However, an excellent performance by Kieran kept the game much closer than it could have been. Once again a very good performance against one of the main rivals for Tenby's championship crown. What is becoming more of a habit is that Tenby have constantly held a slender lead at the halfway mark, only to power away from their opponents during the second half of the match. Joe Richards is claiming credit for this as he recalled all the players early for extra pre-season training and their fitness levels are certainly showing.