PENDINE 71 (2 pts) SAUNDERSFOOT 93 (12)

This was a return fixture with Saundersfoot at the Pendine green. With both teams missing a couple of regular team members, and on a misty and murky day, Pendine had altered two rinks significantly to try and get more competitive and solidity to their team of limited numbers.

Rink two had Geoff Hales’s rink against the rink skipped by the experienced Donny Poole in the absence of his nephew Steve Poole and an interesting contest took place. With Pendine dropping six shots on the first end and picking up four on the second, at 10 ends it was 11-9 to the ’Foot. By the 15th, though, it was 15-13 to Pendine, but as in recent matches, Pendine lost out on the last ends.

Rink three saw Mal Evans skip, with Arwel at third, opposed by Steve Dick’s four, including county president Paul Blaney at third and young Rhys O’Mara leading. At 10 ends they were tied at 11-11, but by the 15th the ’Foot had sneaked ahead 18-16, after which the rinks won three ends each, but Saundersfoot prevailed to win 25-21.

Rink four saw S.K.T.’s unit up against the Berwyn Dennis’ four, including two former Whitland players in father and son Selwyn and Louie Price. Unfortunately, Pendine were outbowled for seven ends and down 16-0, which then made it a mountain to climb, especially as third Louie Price was in excellent form, altering probably 40 per cent of all heads, to frustrate Stewart’s rink.

Rink five saw a brand new combination skipped by DKT facing Myrddin Dennis’s four, led by Dai Davies v Roger Davies. A tough game ensued, with all players having varying ends, with Pendine ahead 12-8 after 10 due to some great bowls by third Rod Truelove. By the 15th the advantage had stretched to 19-11, but then Myrddin’s lads solidified and excelled to get counts on the next three ends. Neither DKT nor his rink panicked, though, and went on to grind out a 21-19 win.

Rink scores (Pendine first) were as follows:

D. Roberts, G. Lewis, M. Dix, G. Hale 18; A. Hensman, A. Brain, M. Brace (capt), D. Poole 25.

J. Shields, R. Gosnold (capt), A. Edwards, M. Evans 21; N. Ruff, R. O’Mara, P. Blayney, S. Dick 25.

D. James, C. Rance, E. Evans, S. King Thomas 11; J. Dugmore, S. Price, L. Price, B. Dennis 24.

R. Davies, P. Leeds, R. Truelove, D. King Thomas 21; D. Davies, R. Kennion, B. Desmond, M. Dennis 19.