Tenby 80 – 64 Saundersfoot
21st May 2016
The Giltar Hotel sponsored Tenby Club played near neighbours, Saundersfoot, in a knock out match to qualify for the later rounds of the Welsh Carruthers Shield (Club Competition). Tenby defeated Saundersfoot in the last sixteen last year on their way to the final in Llandrindod Wells and were well aware that they would face a very stern challenge from the Villagers. Andrew Muskett, Peter Day, Liam Price and Aaron Lloyd played against Steve Dick and once again got off to a good start, leading 9-2 after 7 ends. The lead was maintained on the 14th end (15-8). A count of fours shots taken on the next end extended their lead to 11 shots, but then the rink uncharacteristically dropped a county of four shots on the very next end. However, some amends were made up when they took back 3 shots on the next [end]. The Saundersfoot rink won the remaining four ends, 3-1, but this did not effect the winning result and final score of 23-15 to the unbeaten Muskett.
Rink 2 saw the undefeated Carruthers Rink of Craig and Luke Guymer in addition to the formidable front end combination of Mike Jackson and Chris Court. They played Stephen Poole’s four. Early exchanges kept matters on a even ceil until the Tenby four took a county of five shots on the eight end. The Saundersfoot rink then appeared to capitulate by losing three consecutive ends of a 4, 2, 3. The lead at the 14 end stage being 21-9. However, credit the Saundersfoot rink who then responded with winning three consecutive ends of their own of 1, 2 and 1. It was again the Tenby rink who finished stronger scoring 6 shots to 1 over the last 4 ends. Final score, 27-14. Rink 3: Kieran Peregrine, John Roberts, Jon Webb and Luke Rees played against Saundersfoot’s Berwyn Dennis. A tight game was always expected between these two players. In a similar manner to the game on rink 2, there was not anything between the two sides, with Tenby behind 7-8 at the ten end mark. A dropped count of 5 shots gave Saundersfoot some momentum but with Kieran in great form, the rink won all but one of the five ends, scoring 7 shots to 1. Final score 15-17 to Saundersfoot’s rink who were indebted to the excellent Alan Brain who was outstanding playing at second.
Rink 4: Paul Diment, Ryan Thomas, Joe Richards and Cameron White were reunited for the first time this season and came up against a Saundersfoot rink skipped by Mervyn Dennis, who played extremely well. The game was extremely close with Tenby rink dropping no more than 2 shots to restrict the Saundersfoot team to 18 shots at the close. Similarly, Saundersfoot’s defence was good despite them dropping a count of 3 shots on the second and last ends. Final score 15-18 to Saundersfoot. In conclusion a very good performance from the Tenby players who in typical fashion finished very strong over the last 3 ends. A fact which secured victory with Saundersfoot only behind by a few shots going into the final stretch. Tenby play Presteigne of Mid Wales in the first round proper. A side of immense talent and experience – this will be a very very hard match. A lot of the Presteigne players compete in the Tenby Gold Cup and are very familiar with our green. Of course, they also boast multiple Welsh Title Holders and of course, the greatest Welsh player ever in Robert Weale, a former World Champion and Commonwealth Games Singles Gold Medallist. Thank you to the ladies for the Tea and to Fred for preparing the green.