TENBY BC 76 GUEST MEMORIAL BC 75
The N.D Toy & Partners sponsored Tenby side made the trip up to Dowlais to play Guest Memorial BC in Round 1 of the Carruthers championship. Former winners, Tenby knew this match would be tough as they had been run close last year at home by a spirited Guest side. In order to ensure the team had the best possible preparation and actually get to the green on time Captain Andrew drove the minibus which was eventful to say the least with Daisy as the co-driver!
The match certainly lived up to all expectations and an extremely close match ensued, wind and torrential rain at one point didn't deter the Tenby boys and after a tentative start began to play some good bowls. After 10 ends Tenby were 7 shots down and the experienced Tenby side knew they had to push hard second half to get something out of the game, Paul Diment's rink led the charge coming back well after being 11 - 3 down early on.
On Rink 2, Andrew Muskett was first off with a two shot win, thanks to Webby who was excellent, supported by Aaron and Luke who had solid games. The Twins were next to finish with an excellent 3 shot win (Big shout out to Gman and MJ...well done lads!). The team knew at this stage from the scores across the boards this was going to be a close one and with just three ends left to play Tenby were still 5 shots down! Welsh selector PD was alive to the situation and slowed his game down to ensure he knew what was required and took a one with one end left to play, Tenby now four down. John Roberts, Peter Day, Ben & Neil were playing their last end and had to score a decent count to stand any chance of victory, after a solid front end performance Peter put in a third and John added a fourth, the only option was a drive from the opposing skip which went wide, Tenby held 4 and we were all square going into the last end! Although losing by 5 shots on the rink this was a fantastic last end to give Tenby a real chance of victory.
With all players and spectators crowding to see the last end nerves were well and truly on edge! Cammo, James and Ben bowled a solid last end with Tenby holding a one 12 inches from the jack, the Guest Memorial skip with one bowl left to save the match and make everyone return for an extra end! The bowl was on it's way, from the moment it left his hand the line was good, the home team liked it, cheers started as it inched closer to the jack and I must say what an effort, for a split second the bowl came to rest looking like it was shot then it fell back onto the bias. Confusion followed as everyone didn't know if it had made it, James was in the head like a bullet claiming it was a Tenby shot! Agony for the Guest bowlers, it could not have been closer. Tenby won on a measure, millimetres separated the winners and losers.
The club was buzzing after such a close finish and Tenby were relieved to be victorious and progress to round two of the competition that they reached the semi-finals last year. Tenby now travel away again in round 2 to former champions Ponthydyfen on 6th July.
Rinks :-
L. Rees, A Lloyd, J. Webb, A Muskett 21....L. Stone 19
N. Dickinson, B. Cloake, P.Day, J. Roberts 15...N. Scoot 20
G.Hewitt, M. Jackson, L. Guymer, C. Guymer 21...A Guess 18
C. White, J. Criddle, B. Simmons, P. Diment 19... R. Morgan 18
Full results of the Carruthers can be found here
