Ton Up Tenby

Tenby Bowling Club entertained Neyland in the final group match of the Carruthers Pembrokeshire section on Saturday. Tenby knew that only a win would secure their passage through to the knock-out stages. The trial ends were a shock to everyone on the green as bowl after bowl whistled into the ditch – everybody knew the green was fast, but this was stupidly fast. Full praise must be given to our greenkeeper, Chris Jenkins who provided a truly wonderful surface to play on.  With a win required the Tenby side were quick out of the blocks. To be fair the game as a contest was probably over before it got going, with Neyland missing several key players and some of their team making first team debuts they would have known that they were in for a difficult afternoon, but with the green playing so fast and the Neyland boys not being used to such a quick pace all the Tenby rinks built up a quick lead and by 5-7 ends the Tenby side were already 40+ shots up.

On rink 4, Craig Guymer welcomed back Pat Currie from his Lance Armstrong impersonations and Dai Spencer from his glory-hunting trips to the Liberty Stadium – well lets face it he hasn’t seen many of those at Elland Road since 1991. By the 12^th end the rink was already 20-5 up, but from then on the rink really hammered home their victory, last 9 ends on the bounce and finally finishing up 48-5 to the good, a tremendous win by anyone’s standards.  On rink 3, Peter Day has his hands full against Gordon Robson. The former County skip was on top form against Peter’s rink but eventually Peter’s rink ran out comfortable winners by 11 shots. Special mention must go to the front end of Cameron White and Joe Richards who are forming a very handy relationship and are providing a solid platform for their back two end after end.

On the two inside rinks matters were a slightly more comfortable affair. On rink two Paul Diment skipped John Baggott, Aaron Lloyd and Neil Dickenson. All of whom had solid games against former Tenby Five Arches member Geoff Nuttall. Neil Dickenson has kept his early season form up and is becoming a very consistent and solid lead and Aaron Lloyd has taken his opportunity of starting for the Tenby team well, hardly putting a step out of line since donning the (smallest) first team shirt at the start of the year. With the experienced John Baggott (sans spectacles) backing them up Paul had an afternoon in an armchair. 

Similarly on rink 1 Andrew Muskett’s rink were always in control, jumping to a 17-0 lead before Alan King’s rink could get on the board. Rink 1 has always had a reputation for having a huge swinging hand playing off the slope from under the balcony but on Saturday it was almost unplayable. Time and time again players were bowling outside of the rink only to see their bowls whipping across the head to finish a yard tight. Not that this fazed Ben Simmons in the slightest who fancied his chances on this hand and played it for most of the game – brave lad!

So all told Tenby won at an unexpected canter against Neyland, who ran out winners by an amazing 105 shots – 141 - 36. Although in all fairness to Neyland the loss of key players, the inexperience of some and the speed of the green had a lot to do with the final score-line.  Tenby will now entertain the winners of group 29 of the open draw, including Caerleon, Bedwelly Park, Firbank, Henley’s and New Tredegar at home on the 25^th June.  Attention will now turn to the league for a few weeks with Tenby entertaining Milford Haven on Saturday. With such strength in depth the selectors will be looking to develop and alternate some of the players over the coming weeks so they are sure that come 25^th June (and hopefully beyond) they will be sure that the 16 selected will be the best 16 to represent Tenby on that day. Players finding themselves in this position should not see themselves as dropped by merely rotated, as with a squad with such strength in depth it is important that all members play so that their standards do not drop.

Borderers v Five Arches

Borderers 65 Five Arches 84

The Welsh Shop sponsored, Five Arches team buoyed by their win last week, travelled to Whitland on Sunday. Borderers are always a tough team to play and it is an achievement to get a result there. The weather was grey and cloudy, threatening to rain but never quite managing it. In front of the club house on Rink 1, Lee and his rink of Stuart, John and Ken had a very comfortable win. Having dropped one shot on the first end, they won 16 of the next 20 ends to cruise to a 29 shots to 7 victory. Congratulations to all four, a fine display of bowling. Ray Taylor has become the Five Arches "Mr Dependable", ably supported by John, Mike and Clive, they had another successful outing. After a fairly even first half they eased away in the second to record a 20 shots to 13 victory.

Tony with yet another new third in Luke Rees borrowed from the first team, continued his winning start to the season. With the returning Ben Cloake and Steve Davies providing a solid platform at lead and second, they had a very even first half but also pulled away in the second to win by 23 shots to 14. Captain Ashley and his rink of Cameron, Tony and Gwyn took a comprehensive beating on rink 4. With Cameron holding shot on practically every end, it initially looked promising however inspired play by the Borderers quartet ensured they recorded a handsome 31 shots to 12 victory. 

A superb win away from home and another 12 points for us. We journey to Milford on Saturday hoping for continued success.

Stuart Askew, John Hubbard, Ken Lloyd, Lee Richards 29      J Addison 7
John Rees, Mike Gouldingay, Clive Webb, Ray Taylor 20       D Jenner 13
Ben Cloake, Steve Davies, Luke Rees, Tony Brown 23          D Richards 14
Cameron White, Tony Powling, Gwyn Beynon, Ashley Hooper 12  T Davies 31

Determined Tenby win away in El Classico

The Tenby Bowling Club team went to our nearest neighbours Saundersfoot on Saturday knowing how much importance was placed on a win. A loss would more than likely mean a failure to progress through to the knockout rounds of the Carruthers Shield, the ultimate goal of any side, and with Pat Currie and Dai Spencer missing the boys knew the cause would be that much harder.

In fact in the opening 5 ends Saundersfoot had a 9 shot advantage, the majority of that difference coming from Andrew Muskett’s rink who by that early stage were trailing Steve Dick by 9-2, although not bowling badly it appeared that the Tenby side were missing the all important rub of the green. Matters got worse for Wigan’s men who were then 10-2 down and 14-7 down with 11 ends gone. However the front end unit of Ben Simmons and Mike Jackson decided to make this a game of two halves. Fortified by squash and cakes the two up front came alive and put the Saundersfoot front end to the sword and this inspired a comeback worthy of champions. In fact by the 17^th end the Tenby rink were 19-14 up, scoring 12 unanswered shots over 6 ends and seemed to be heading for a comfortable win. However to be fair to the Saundersfoot rink skipped by Steve Dick, they rallied hard and in the end the match finished with an honourable draw, 20-20, although it must not go unmentioned that Muskey had yards to draw in to make shot with the last bowl of the game, maybe his subconscious felt a draw was the fairer result.

This was certainly the case on rink 5, skipped by Paul Diment. His and Simon Evans’ rink had a great tussle. Paul’s rink got the better of the first half, leading 10-4 and tea. However a role reversal of the Tenby sides fortunes on rink two saw Simon’s rink come back to lead 18-17 going into the last end. However, holding one shot with a bowl to come, Paul Diment decided that, with the result of the game safe, he would undertake the sporting act and not bowl his last bowl, thereby ensuring a draw on that rink as well, a fair result for a good afternoon’s battle between two of Pembrokeshire’s most successful bowlers. Paul on the day was ably supported by Neil Dickenson, Aaron Lloyd (who were both again on top form) and John “Dennis Taylor” Baggott. Paul remarked that now John has new glasses he may be able to play his fore-hand more often – I have my doubts.

It was however in the middle rinks that Tenby did most damage. Firstly the Babies were on rink three. Ashley Hooper stepping in to play second with the Twins and Luke Rees; thereby upping the average age considerably. Al four played well, with Ashley contributing greatly. It’s a pity he’s decided to take on the role as Five Arches Captain as he’s be one of the first names on the sheet in his current form. The Twins were once again spurred on by their parents and WAG’s and again showed their quality. Time and time again drawing shots for fun, showing that finesse is also required as well as power in bowls nowadays. A similar story was repeated on Peter Day’s rink. The game was close until the 15^th end when Tenby were just shading out former (and by former we mean a very long time ago!!) Welsh u25 international Berwyn Dennis 14-11, but the rink went into overdrive winning the remaining 7 ends scoring 19 shots in the process to run out deserving winners 33-11. Special mention must go to the front end boys of Cam White and Joe Richards, who both played very well.

The Tenby side is becoming very strong (again) especially up front and team selection will be difficult over the coming months. With so many youngsters holding their own, all players will know that missing a match may mean losing your place, the competition for places is that severe. Which in turn is a nice headache for the selectors to have so early in the season. Tenby host Neyland in the last group match of the Carruthers this year knowing that a win will mean qualification to the knock-out stages. This will be the first home match of the season and the selectors know that the team selected will be anxious to put on a show to try and cement their places in the team as the league campaign starts the week after at Milford. Finally can I sum up by thanking the supporters who came down to shout us on, as always it’s very much appreciated, and secondly we all at Tenby hope that Berwyn and Myrddin’s father makes a speedy recovery.

Tenby v Panther Tourists

Tenby  151  Panther Tourists 71

...writes Mike Gouldingay

On Sunday 1st May, Tenby played host to Panther Tourists from Somerset who had hired the green from 10.00am to run a competition of their own consisting of two wood triples. With Club Captain Mike putting on teas at 11 am followed by Helen Baggott and Lynn Delabertouche providing a lovely buffet after they had finished their competition. Thanks to everyone who made the effort to play especially the ladies and the juniors Ben and Luke. It was then time to play the match but before we started it was decided to play the other way much to the surprise of the tourists.  Captain Mike then welcomed captain Clayton and Panther Tourists to Tenby wishing everybody all the best for the afternoon. Tenby went on to win on all six rinks but you would’t have thought that was the case because of the noise and laughter all the way through the game the atmosphere was fantastic from begining  to end.

Rink 1 Saw D Rees and P Barnikel up front with J Taylor  and K Lloyd as skip at the back end. At 10 ends they were well in command 8 shots  in front,  in the second half they kept the pressure on and won by 13 shots. Rink 2 Saw G Beeken and R French up front supported by A Hooper & D Spencer , this was a different story with Tenby 3 shots down at the halfway stage but after a closely fought battle in the second half went on to win by 2 shots.

Rink 3 Saw B Simmons and A Owens up front supported by V Williams and D King Thomas, this Rink was a bit of a one sided affair with Tenby 11 shots up at 10 ends and in the second half kept up the pressure to win by 21 shots. Rink 4  saw H Ebdon and S Davies up front supported by H Baggott and R Taylor. This was more or less the same as Rink 3, 11 shots up at the half way stage and going on to win by 23 shots.

Rink 5 Saw M Skyrme and H Meades up front supported by L Rees and M Gouldingay. This was a lot closer game with Tenby being 3 shots up at the interval and going on to win by 6 shots in the second half. Rink 6 saw J Rees & R Hine up front well supported by J Hubbard and A Redman. At the half way stage Tenby were 18 shots up, but in the second half Tenby failed to score for eight ends but went on to win by 13 shots.

After the game Captain Mike congratulated Captain Clayton on their centerary year and wished them all the very best. He then presented them with a commenorative glass with the Tenby Coat of Arms, He also presented the winner of the morning ‘s competion with badges and pens and informed them that he has booked them in for 2012 and wished them a safe journey home.

Rink 1  D Rees  P Barnikel  J Taylor  K Lloyd  25  P Christopher 12

Rink 2  G Beeken   R French  A Hooper  D Spencer  18  K Masters   16

Rink 3  B Simmons A Owens V Williams  D King Thomas 27  A Loxton

Rink 4  H Ebdon  S Davies  H Baggott  R Taylor  32 D Alway  9

Rink 5  M Skyrme H Meades  L Rees  C Williams 24  C Williams 16

Rink 6  J Rees  R Hine  J Hubbard  A Redman  25  S Graves 12