Pembrokeshire League Division One
Due to the success of the Carruthers Shield, domestic matches have had to be arranged and I would like to thank Mike Gouldingay for his work with this difficult task. Tenby were 22 points behind Whitland, but had 3 games in hand, and last Saturday, played against the league leaders at their own ‘green’. Therefore the task for Tenby was to win two of the three games in hand that were played before their visit to Whitland.
Tuesday, 24th July, Tenby entertained Haverfordwest Castle and enjoyed a comfortable 45 shot win although this was due to two rinks winning by large margins and only 11 points secured for the nights work. With several first team players absent, the junior players had an opportunity to shine and Arron Lloyd was the pick of the bunch by playing superbly for Andrew Muskett.
This reduced the point’s deficit on Whitland to 11 and the rink scores for that game were as follows:
Rink 1: N Dickinson, C White, J Baggott and P Day 19-20 D Summers
Rink 2: G Hewitt, A Lloyd, J Webb and A Muskett 32-6 R Lewis
Rink 3: D Spencer, T Brown, J Richards and P Diment 34-14 B Hall
Rink 4: B Cloake, A Hooper, L Guymer and C Guymer 21-21 B Absalom
The Thursday, Tenby then entertained Haverfordwest and it was ironic that although the winner margin was lower than Tuesday night, 28 shots, the maximum 14 points were secured as Tenby won on all 4 rinks. Arron Lloyd retained his place in the team due to his performance on the Tuesday evening.
Rink Scores:
Rink 1: D Spencer, J Richards, P Day and Paul Diment 24-18 P D S Jenkins
Rink 2: G Hewitt, A Lloyd, J Webb and A Muskett 21-16 A Wilks
Rink 3: L Rees, M Jackson, S Williams and C Guymer 26-17 R Price
Rink 4: N Dickinson, B Simmons, J Baggott and P Currie 25-17 R. O’Leary
With a lead of three points and still that important game in hand, Tenby fielded their strong Carruthers side, but due to the success of John Roberts in the Saundersfoot Open, Arron Lloyd features for the third successive game and played with Phil Carpenter.
Always a lively encounter, the Whitland team proved to be a hard team to break down, but with Tenby knowing that a win would virtually seal the league title for the third successive year, they had a comfortable win by 23 shots and won on three out of the four rinks to seal a 12-2 victory. Craig Guymer’s rink was always in control against Dan Jenner, the Whitland Vice-Captain and took an early 8-0 lead after 4 ends and finished the match with top rink spoils, 25-12. Pat Currie always had the edge on Whitland Captain, Glyndwr Thomas and won 21-17 even though they lost the last 3 ends.
The undeafeated back end combination of the Double PD’s backed up with the ever impressive front end combination of Spencer and Richards came up against the top Whitland rink but were in total control and also ran out comfortable 20-12 winners. Tenby’s sole defeat at the hands of Steve Reese, by 2 shots, gave some consolation to the Whitland team. Trailing by 4-13 after 12 ends, the rink rallied and came back strong to lead at the 20th end by one, but for a near miss by Phil Carpenter with the last bowl of the match victory would have been their’s.
Rink Scores:
Rink 1: L Rees, M Jackson, L Guymer and C Guymer 25-12 D Jenner
Rink 2: N Dickinson, J Baggott, J Webb and P Currie 21-17 G Thomas
Rink 3: D Spencer, J Richards, P Day and P Diment 20-12 A Whitehouse
Rink 4: G Hewitt, A Lloyd, A Muskett and P Carpenter 16-18 S Reese
Following from this victory, Tenby now have a lead of 13 points and still have a game in hand. They have to play Pembroke Dock and Saundersfoot away and Milford Haven home and now require 15 points if Whitland win their remaining two games by the maximum margin. With the vast superiority in shot difference, 14 points will be enough. Congratulations to Whitland for once again pushing the Welsh Champions in the domestic league, but Tenby have once again proved to be Pembrokeshire’s best and congratulations to them for another successful campaign, barring a huge slip up.
Preview – Tenby vs Glyncorrwg – Welsh Club Championship Quarter Finals.
Tomorrow, at 3pm, the Tenby team entertain one of the top sides in Welsh Bowls, Glyncorrowg from, last Pontrhydyfen, the Afan Valley. The path to the quarter finals has seen the Valley side having a bye in the first round while Tenby easily defeated Caerleon away from their Sutton Street Headquarters. The second round, Tenby travel to Morriston, who had earlier defeated former winners, Victoria (Swansea) and Old Landorians (Swansea). Although on paper a very tough test for the ‘sharks’ they came away with a comfortable 29 shot win. Glyncorrwg accounted for Brynhyfryd (Llanelli) former 4 times winners by 13 shots away from home (79-66) which shows that they can produce performances away from their home ground.
Tenby produced the performance of the round in round 3 (last 16) beating the most successful side in the history of the competition, Pontrhydyfen, by a huge 43 shots and winning on all 4 rinks. Not to be outdone, Glyncorrwg defeated a very strong RTB Ebbw Vale side, which included several current Welsh Internationals in their side, including one of their former players and current Welsh International Skip, Jonathan Tomlinson. Also in the Ebbw Vale side was the World Indoor Singles finalist, Stewart Anderson which proves that the result, especially away from home for the second consecutive round, indicates that the Afan Valley side mean business and are a very big threat to Tenby’s hold on the Shield.
Stars of the Glyncorrwg side has have to include, Ross Tomlinson, who together with Geoff Simon and Neil Taylor won the British Isles Triples only a few months ago, and Ross’s father, John Tomlinson, a former Welsh National Singles Winner. However, this side has great players in all positions and Tenby have their work cut out to reach their second successive appearance in Llandridod Wells. The match has been sponsored by Bet Fred Bookmakers, and the Tenby Club are very grateful for their support and the club welcome local supporters which I am sure will witness a great match between two evenly contested teams. There is a team practice scheduled for Friday night and every player who has not featured in Gold Cup week is expected to attend.