Castle v Tenby

Haverfordwest Castle 40 (0 Points) Tenby 99 (14 Points)
2nd July 2015

Due to the Carruthers match on the following Saturday, Tenby had to play against Haverfordwest Castle on the ‘Carruthers’ Reserve day, last Thursday (2^nd July). Haverfordwest Castle are struggling at the foot of division one, but at home are more than capable of beating any team and certainly capable of winning a few rinks and taking much needed points. Rink 1, nearest the club house, saw Keiran Peregrine play with his usual ‘Carruthers’ shield rink of Luke Rees, Jon Webb and John Roberts – fresh from the British Isles International Series held in Scotland.  The rink started well taking a count of four shots followed by a double and single to lead 7-0 at three ends.  An exchange of shots over the next few ends, either double or singles, saw the Tenby rink get to the ten end stage up by one shot (9-8).  The Tenby rink were in danger of losing but their experience shone through and they dominated the second half of the game by picking up low scoring but consistent shots to win 19-12. Rink 2.  Craig Guymer also fielded his ‘Carruthers’ rink and had a far easier evening than rink 1.  At five ends, the rink which featured Mike Jackson, Chris Court and Luke Guymer held a 8-1 lead.  This was extended at ten ends to 14-3.  Some dropped shots over ends thirteen to fifteen saw their lead reduce slightly but a run from end sixteen which included a count of five shots on the nineteenth end saw a final winning margin of 16 shots (26-10).

Rink 3.  Andrew Muskett’s rink had a change with Huw Nicholas replacing the working Gerald Hewitt.   The rink wanted to bounce back from their defeat the previous Saturday against Saundersfoot.   Aaron Lloyd played a very steady game, as did the ever consistent Peter Day.  Huw Nicholas never disappoints and is always very consistent and is certainly pushing hard for a starting Carruthers shield place.  The rink certainly wanted to right the wrongs of their previous match and raced into a 11-0 lead after only seven ends.  Further scoring which included a four, three and two in the middle section of the game saw their lead extend to 21-5 (14 ends).  A dropped count of four shots on the very next end, followed by dropped singles over three of the last five ends saw a final win recorded of 25-12. Rink 4.  Shaun Peregrine replaced the absent Cameron White, with Joe Richards and Ryan Thomas joining Paul Diment.  The rink played against Tenby’s former member Colin Jones who has relocated to Haverfordwest and it was great to see the likeable young man again.  County over 60’s skip, Mike Codd, and Daniel Jones – son of former International and two time Silver Bowl winner, Gareth, played third.  This was certainly the best Haverfordwest Castle rink – on paper at least – but the Tenby four took an early 6-0 lead at three ends.  Scoring exchanges made over the next three ends – in Haverfordwest Castle’s favour – saw the lead reduce to 7-4.  A brief chat between Ryan and Paul saw a calculated change of tactics and they only failed to score on another two ends.   To be completely honest, I don’t think we have seen such a dynamic combination since Albert and Costello.  I am sure that Peter and Andrew will disagree, but I think they’re more like Renee and Renarto. 

In summary, another consistent performance by Tenby who continue to put pressure on the other teams attempting to knock them off their perch.  Tenby maintain a slight advantage with Haverfordwest their main challengers in second place and Tenby Five Arches in third place.  At the half way stage with games already played away against top sides Haverfordwest, Saundersfoot and Whitland – Tenby would be favourites having Whitland and Haverfordwest at home.  However, we all know that both these clubs are more than capable of coming to Tenby and beating them such is the quality players that they can call upon. 

Saundersfoot v Five Arches

Saundersfoot 80  Five Arches 60 (Saundersfoot 14 pts Five Arches 0)
1st July 2015

The first week in July brought two mid-week games for the Five Arches, first up, away to near neighbours Saundersfoot. Nearest the clubhouse , Simon and his rink of Harold, Peter and Neil were up against Saundersfoot legend Myrddin. In a closely fought game which was tied at 9 shots all at ten ends and 13 shots each at 15 ends,  was decided by a five shot gain for the Saundersfoot rink on the 18th end. The match ended with a win for the home team by 23 shots to 19. Captain Ben and his rink of Roger, Tony and Ken were also involved in a close game, 11 shots to 4 down at tea , they fought back well to only lose by 17 shots to 13. In yet another tight match, Ben and his rink of John, Jonno and Steve almost gained points for the Five Arches, tied at 7 all after 10 ends and 13 all at 20 ends , they just missed out by a single shot on the final end. Finally Ashley and his rink of Kev, David and Dai suffered a Steve Poole inspired defeat, after picking up 3 shots on the first end, they lost the next 8 to be 20 shots to 3 down at 9 ends. A second half comeback ensured some respectability, with the final score being 26 shots to 15 in Saundersfoot's favour.  A decent performance against a good team, just disappointing not to get any points. 

Harold Ebdon, Peter Hooper, Neil Dickinson, Simon Evans 19  Myrddin Dennis 23
Roger Thomas, Tony Powling, Ken Lloyd, Ben Cloake 13  Steve Dick 17
John Rees, Jon Hubbard, Steve Davies, Ben Simmons 13 Berwyn Dennis 14
Kevin Lewis, David Lloyd, Dai Spencer, Ashley Hooper 15 Steve Poole 26

Five Arches Ladies v Pembroke Dock Ladies

FIVE ARCHES LADIES (4 pts) PEMBROKE DOCK LADIES (2)
20th June 2015

With two ends remaining,Tenby Arches ladies were losing to Pembroke Dock ladies by 31 shots to 28 and in danger of finishing the game with no points. If this score had remained, it would have mirrored the result of their last home game against Whitland ladies, when they lost heavily on both rinks. They needed to get something out of this encounter to keep up morale. Out of nowhere fortunes changed, Carol's rink of Helen, Jan and Margaret had been trailing for all of the game. but managed to pick up three shots in the last two ends. Although well beaten by 17 shots to 12 by Di Davies's Pembroke Dock rink, the significance of these three shots was important to the overall score. Alison and her team of Lynn, Liz and Meryl were drawn on the outside rink and dominated most of the game against the Pembroke Dock rink skipped by Collette. Alison's rink, like the captain's, picked up three shots on ends 20 and 21 to win comfortably by 22 shots to 15. The significance of the last two ends for both Arches rinks was that the overall score went in Tenby's favour, winning narrowly by 34 shots to 32 and securing four league points from a team that was better placed than them in the league. Tenby Arches ladies, who are sponsored by Tenby House, recently played Whitland ladies, losing very heavily on both rinks by 62 shots to 12, with Whitland picking up the maximum six points. Prior to the Whitland game, the Arches ladies had a home fixture against Milford ladies, winning by 54 shots to 17 and collected six league points for their efforts.

Five Arches Ladies v Saundersfoot Ladies

FIVE ARCHES LADIES (0) SAUNDERSFOOT LADIES (6 pts)
27th June 2015

 With several ladies unavailable and with others playing out of position, this was always going to be a testing afternoon fixture for Tenby Arches ladies against league leaders Saundersfoot ladies. Five Arches ladies, who are sponsored by Tenby House, have been having a mixed season and this was one of those games they would want to forget, losing to their neighbours by 45 shots to 27. Helen's rink of Lynn, Lon and Jan were up against Saundersfoot stalwart Marion Evans, who had much the better of the game and with her ladies was always in command, winning by 25 shots to nine. Carol skipped the second rink, with Gerry, Mair and Margaret in support, and got off to a good start, leading by six shots to three after six ends. They then suffered a mini collapse, picking up just one score of three over the next nine ends. The Saundersfoot rink, skipped by Lorna Bissell, was now in the ascendency, leading by 17 shots to nine. Out of the blue, the Five Arches ladies found some inspiration, picking up nine shots to Saundersfoot's three in the six remaining ends, but this was just not enough. The rink had their chances, but unfortunately were unable to convert them, losing at the end by 20 shots to 18.