Haverfordwest 73 (4 pts) Tenby 81 (10)

The first of two league games in one week started a few Tuesdays ago (June 14) for the Tenby Sharks. The last time these two teams met resulted in a slender two-shot victory at Tenby’s Sutton Street HQ, where they haven’t lost in the league since 2014 - at the hands of Haverfordwest!

The selectors decided on a change of team and positions for this game and on rink one, Kieran Peregrine, winner of four Silver Bowl titles, was joined by Paul Diment, with two Silver Bowls to his name. They were joined by Liam Price, current holder of the Five Arches Bowl, and Luke Rees, former Tenby club champion. Their opponents comprised former Welsh indoor international and Tenby player, Alan Whitehouse.

The Tenby rink raced off to a 7-1 lead, but then Alan and his third, Bill Jones, started playing and boy did they play, outscoring the ‘Pegs’ rink 11-1 to take the lead. A fine finish by Tenby reduced the deficit, but still a loss of 16-20.

Next door, the galacticos continued their unbeaten run. In fact, I cannot remember the last time they lost. At seven ends, the three internationals of Craig, Luke and Chris joined by Welsh fours winner Mike Jackson, were 6-5 up. Then, as is usual, a run of winning ends resulted in them extending their lead by 14 shots over the course of six ends. Another strong finish resulted in a 28-14 success.

A change in personnel saw John Roberts switch from Peregrine’s rink to Andrew’s. Andrew was joined by Ben Cloake and Peter Day. The change did not seem to work, as previously unbeaten Muskett, went down by nine shots to county team manager, PDS Jenkins.

Ryan Thomas continued to skip and with Joe Richards, Peter Hooper and Cameron White continued his form - promptly dropping a five-shot count on the first end. However, the likeable and talented Rhino did not let his head drop and rallied his troops. A couple of counts of ‘five’ and ‘fours’ saw them win their rink 24-17.

In conclusion, a great win by the Tenby team. The selectors were brave enough to change formations leading up to the big game against Presteigne and, although they [the changes] did not work as they would have liked, another game beckoned on the Thursday against Saundersfoot to try new ideas.

However, it should also be remembered that Tenby still beat a very very good Haverfordwest team on their own patch and in doing so took another step towards retaining their league title.

Tenby 80 (10 pts) Saundersfoot 73 (4)

Thursday (June 16) saw the first league game against Saundersfoot, Tenby having beaten them in the Carruthers Shield group stages a few weeks previously.

Tenby continued to experiment with their team leading into the Carruthers game against Presteigne and were grateful for a great finish once again to secure victory.

Rink one: John Roberts returned to the rink of Peregrine with Luke Rees and Liam Price. They played against Saundersfoot skip, Steve Dick. A solid start after five ends, the Tenby team led 7-3. However, a run of six consecutive losing ends meant they trailed 7-15 after 11 ends. Saundersfoot continued their dominance to lead 9-20 at the 16-end mark, but then the Tenby four rallied to win the last five ends 8-0 to close with a defeat 17-20.

Rink two: The unbeatables continued their unbelievable run by beating the Stephen Poole rink by 26-15. Craig and Luke together with Chris and Mike restricted their opponents to only nine scoring ends, and when that is only counts of singles and doubles, you are in trouble against this rink who respond with threes and fives.

Rink three: Ben Cloake, Cameron White, Joe Richards and Ryan Thomas played well against the Merv Dennis rink. Taking a five on end one set up things nicely, but at five ends, they only led by one shot. At 15 ends they fell behind 14-18, but they tied things up heading into the last end (19-19). Holding match, a huge slice of luck by the Saundersfoot skip took a double.

Rink four: Andrew Muskett played with Paul Diment for the first time in many a year. Eleven club championships between them, six Welsh titles and a British title, they were joined by Peter Day, a two-time county singles champion with two Welsh titles to his name and himself a British champion, and Aaron Lloyd, with two Welsh titles to his name. They played Berwyn Dennis, in my opinion the most accomplished Saundersfoot skip - himself a Welsh international.

The Tenby rink fell behind 3-8 at seven ends, with Louis Price in great form. At 15 ends that lead was 9-16 and all looked good for a Saundersfoot win - not only on the rink, but overall. However, Muskett has other ideas, and like rink one, only lost one of the remaining ends to sneak a win 18-17.

In conclusion, another close game and I must be honest in saying that I thought the unbeaten run had come to an end. However, credit again to the Tenby team who certainly know and have proved how to close out games.

Five Arches 76 (9 pts) Whitland 76 (5)

After successive away victories, the Five Arches returned to Tenby to play Whitland. The game promised to be close, as only two points separated them in the league table and it certainly lived up to this.

Simon and his rink of Jonno, TP and James struggled on rink one. Conceding two counts of four and a count of five in the first half of the game, they trailed by 19 shots to four after 11 ends. However, a better performance in the second half restricted the damage to a 28 shots to 13 defeat.

In complete contrast, Ashley’s rink of Viv, David and Dai had a storming first 12 ends to lead by 20 shots to four. A comeback by the Whitland rink over the last five ends again narrowed the gap, but the Five Arches foursome won by a comfortable 25 shots to 12.

However, the remaining two rinks provided all the drama. Beano, skipping Steve, Roger and Ken had a nail-biting game on rink four. Leading by a comfortable 15 shots to six at tea, they endured a Whitland comeback to be level going into the last end. However, a fine last bowl by Beano, when match down, enabled them to snatch a well-earned one shot victory.

Gerald and his rink of John, Kev and Neil were last on the green. In an evenly matched game, they had eked out a seven shot lead with four ends to go, however yet another fine comeback from the Whitland rink gave them a chance on the last end. Nineteen shots to 15 down, Whitland skip Dan played a great shot to pick up three shots, which tied the game overall, but allowed the Five Arches rink to sneak another one shot victory.

Another great performance from the Five Arches team, winning on three rinks against the Whitland team is fantastic.

Rink scores (Five Arches first, Whitland skips only):

Jon Hubbard, Tony Powling, James Criddle, Simon Evans 13; Mike John 28.

John Rees, Kevin Lewis, Neil Dickinson, Gerald Hewitt 19; Dan Jenner 18.

Viv John, David Lloyd, Dai Spencer, Ashley Hooper 25; Steve Rees 12.

Ken Lloyd, Roger Strong, Steve Davies, Huw Nicholas 19; Glyndwr Thomas 18.

Bonus Ball

Winner of last Saturday’s bonus ball was Gladys, with number 16. Gladys is one of our whist players. Congratulations.

Forthcoming Fixtures

There are no men’s fixtures this weekend as it County Finals Day at Saundersfoot, with several Tenby players being involved.

The Tenby Five Arches Ladies have a game tomorrow (Saturday), however, when they travel to play Picton.

The following Saturday, July 9, Five Arches men are at home playing Pembroke Dock, with a 2 pm start, while the Tenby team continues its Carruthers Shield campaign when they travel to play Loughor. Good luck boys

There are also games on Sunday, July 10, with the ladies at home against Tasker, 2 pm start, and the Five Arches men away at Haverfordwest.

Ladies Annniversary Game

The ladies anniversary game will take place on Wednesday, July 6, at the Sutton Street green, 2 pm start, with tea afterwards for players and invited guests.

TENBY ARCHES LADIES 6 pts. PICTON 0

Tenby Arches ladies needed an impressive display in this Thursday evening fixture to exorcise the demons of their previous poor display in the rain against Fishguard.

The Tenby ladies certainly did this, winning the game by 50 shots to 26, but what was more encouraging was the determination shown at the start of the game.

Alison’s rink of Lynn, Carol and Jo were 17 shots to seven up at the halfway stage, while Helen’s rink of Meryl, Liz and Jan were an incredible 17 shots to one up. The Arches ladies looked in complete control.

Alison’s quartet continued to dominate their game, finally winning by 31 shots to 12, but Helen’s rink suffered a sudden loss of form or was it that Picton ladies found some late form? Seventeen shots to one soon became 17 shots to 12 as Helen’s rink lost six consecutive ends, but with three ends remaining, Helen’s girls held their nerve to win by 19 shots to 14.

This was another six points gained to keep them in contention at the top of the league.

Tenby Arches ladies are sponsored by Tenby House Hotel.