PEMBROKE DOCK 73 (2 pts.) SAUNDERSFOOT 75 (12)

The Saundersfoot First Division men’s team continued their winning start to the season last Saturday with a narrow two-shot victory away at Pembroke Dock.

Racing out of the blocks, the villagers had taken an early nine-shot lead after five ends and this advantage had been increased to 15 at the half-time tea break.

The home team however are nothing if not resilient particularly on their home green and after the penultimate end, Saundersfoot only led by eight.

A nervy finish saw the Dockers strive to make up the deficit and taking a net six shots across the rinks very nearly pulled it off, but Saundersfoot returned home with a win to make it four wins out of four and remain top of the league table.

Rink scores with Saundersfoot first and Pembroke Dock skips only were:

Graham Hughes, John Amos, Alan Brain, Myrddin Dennis 22 Richard Hissey 21,

Dai Davies, Brian Dooley, Steve Dick, Berwyn Dennis 20 Brian Dowling 14,

Dennis Ball, Neil Hensman, Brian Desmond, Joe Dennis 11 Matthew John 22,

Don Poole, Paul Blayney, Mackie Brace, Steve Poole 22 Richard Jones 16,

The team were also due to play at home to Haverfordwest last week, but the match had to be cancelled with the visitors unable to field a team.

This fixture will now take place later in the season.

Tomorrow (Saturday), there is a home match with Whitland the visitors, commencing at 2 pm.

SAUNDERSFOOT 74 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY 134

On the hottest day of the year so far, the gentlemen of the club entertained tourists from Buckinghamshire and it was the home team who wilted in the heat being comprehensively beaten by 60 shots.

Prior to the match commencing, both teams and spectators observed a minute’s silence for those who had died in the Manchester terrorist attack and to remember those who had been injured.

The ladies of the visiting county had played the village ladies a few days previously and had registered a win and it was obvious that the men did not mean to be outdone.

Afterwards in the clubhouse, the home boys were treated to a rendition of the ‘Bucks Anthem’ with the Saundersfoot men, led by club captain Graham Hughes and wife Alwen, responding with ‘We’ll keep a welcome.’ Some members jokingly tried to rip up the scorecards, but I hastily retrieved them reminding them the old school report comment ‘must do better!’ but here below is what they didn’t want you to see!

Dennis Ball, Paul Sneyd, Brian McKehon, Paul Blayney 13 Ian Dudley 21.

Roy Hooper, John Arman, Alan Rich, Brian Desmond 15 Mike Cavill 21.

Dennis Reed, David Hicks, Dai Davies, Graham Hughes 11 John Lonergan 20.

George Cavell, John Lewis, John Dugmore, Don Poole 6 Mike Evans 28.

Peter Williams, Roy Harris, Mike Carr, Billy Glynn 14 Ken Stratfull 21.

Mike Oliver, Brian Dooley, Rod Bramhall, Richard Whittaker 15 Len Richardson 23.

LADIES TEAMS

The Saundersfoot ladies gained to home victories last week picking up eight points.

Their first opponents were Neyland ladies with Gemma Amos skipping her rink to a 30 shots to 13 win over Jenny Harris, whilst Lorna Bissell’s girls lost by four shots to Janet Sutton.

The following evening, Picton, of Haverfordwest, were the visitors and the village ladies won by 42 shots to 20, with Gemma just losing out by two shots, but Marion Evans winning by 24.

They next play at home to Milford ladies tomorrow and travel to play the reverse fixture at Neyland next Wednesday.

The St. Issell’s girls travelled to Pembroke Dock last Saturday and in a close encounter, lost the match overall by four shots, but gained two of the six points with one rink winning.

Sue Roden skipped Christine Ball, Audrey Williams and Kath Blayney to a 25 shots to 22 win over Diana Davies, whilst Lyn Reyad, Lyn Statters, Sandra Ingerson and Christine Harris were defeated by Collette Bethwaite 21 shots to 14.

The team are due to host Whitland ladies next Monday at 6 pm.

MEYRICK OWEN COMPETITION

The Saundersfoot men kicked-off their season in the one rink Meyrick Owen competition with an away win at Neyland.

Paul Sneyd, David Hicks, Bob Storey and Peter Williams won by 16 shots to 11 and were due to play their next fixture this week at home to Pendine with an away game at Fishguard next Tuesday.

COMPETITIONS

The annual Rossiters sponsored triangular tournament for pairs from the Saundersfoot, Tenby and Whitland clubs was held last Monday and today sees the Saundersfoot Ladies Open Triples competition taking place with teams from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire taken part.

Full reports plus pictures from both events will appear in next week’s Observer.

OTHER FIXTURES

The St. Issell’s men’s team start their Brains Cup campaign on Monday, with a home match at 6 pm against Borderers, of Whitland.

There are two mixed friendly matches next week, with Wellingborough the visitors on Tuesday and Page Park on Friday.