In a thrilling encounter, the outcome of which was not known until the last wood had been bowled, the Saundersfoot First Division team defeated Haverfordwest by just two shots and in so doing secured their first league title in twelve years.

Travelling away to play the only side that could mathematically catch them was never going to be an easy ride and the match certainly lived up to its billing as a title decider.

With both teams determined to get a good start, it was Haverfordwest that were first on top, as you would expect with their home advantage and they led overall by eight shots after five of the twenty one ends.

Settling into their task, the villagers led by seven at the half way point and still held a five shot advantage with three ends remaining.

A nervy finish saw three rinks completing their games with their overall results all square and it was left to captain Berwyn Dennis’ rink to hopefully see the game out with a slender four shot advantage going into the last end.

With all the players who had finished plus spectators watching keenly, the Haverfordwest skip Peter Jenkins already holding two shots, with the last wood of the game just failed to add to that tally leaving the Saundersfoot team winners of the match by two shots but most importantly gaining ten of the fourteen points to secure the league title.

On rink one, Graham Hughes, John Amos, Brian Desmond and skip Myrddin Dennis were up against Dai John, Alan Wills, Billy Jones and Richard O’Leary.

Falling behind by six shots after just three ends, a good fight back saw the village four take the lead on the eleventh end with a count of five only to immediately drop a four.

The lead then fluctuated several times before the home rink eventually won by the narrowest of margins, twenty three shots to twenty two.

Rink two saw captain Berwyn, together with Dai Davies, Selwyn Price and son Liam Price roar into a ten shot lead after five ends against Daniel Jones, Neil Crawford, James John Davies and P.D.S. Jenkins and lead by thirteen at the half way point.

Only winning three of the last eleven ends, however, led to the close finish described above but a win by twenty one shots to nineteen.

Alan Brain, Macky Brace, Louis Price and Joe Dennis played Keith Thorpe, Ryan Ashworth, Darren Latham and Tony Wilks on rink three and although winning the first two ends, fell behind shortly afterwards and the home boys always just had their noses in front for the remainder of the game winning by twenty shots to sixteen.

Rink four saw the other Saundersfoot success with Donny Poole, Brian Dooley, Paul Blayney and Steve Dick defeating Haydn John Davies, Gareth Barrett, Chris Wills and Timmy Thomas.

Although six shots down after five ends, the Saundersfoot four won seven of the next eight ends to go in front by four shots and afterwards led to the end to gain a victory by twenty shots to fifteen.

An ecstatic Saundersfoot captain, Berwyn Dennis, afterwards paid tribute to his team and the first team squad of just twenty two players, most of whom had been ever present and praised the spirit shown all season that had seen only one defeat in their sixteen matches.

Special mention too was made of Neil Hensman and Barry Lee who, although not selected for the final game, came to support the team in their final push for the title.

A thrilling end then for a season that had seen the “pink army” also reach the last thirty two stage of the Carruthers Welsh Cup competition and was celebrated with a few well earned drinks and a curry that had kindly been prepared after the match by the Haverfordwest club.

The league shield will be presented to Saundersfoot at the A.G.M. of the Pembrokeshire Men’s County Bowling Association in November.

Pictured last Saturday are the team, unfortunately minus club chairman Myrddin Dennis who was missing somewhere in the clubhouse!

TASKER LADIES 28.5 ST ISSELLS LADIES 35

The St Issells ladies (pictured) were also at Haverfordwest last Saturday to play their final game of the season and won the match, gaining four of the six points to secure a third place league position.

Kath Blayney, Jacqui Ford, Christine Ball and Captain Christine Harris defeated Win Howells whilst Lynne Reyed, Leona Davies, Sue Dooley and Shirley Cox lost to Mandy Lewis.

SAUNDERSFOOT LADIES

The Saundersfoot ladies team, after a slow start to the season, are finishing strongly and are likely to secure a top five place in the league.

Last Saturday they defeated Pembroke Dock Park by nine shots with Viv Edwards skipping her four to a twenty six shots to eight win over Barbara Rapley whilst Steph Amos was defeated by twenty six shots to seventeen.

NEYLAND LADIES

Both the club ladies teams would like to congratulate Neyland ladies on winning their first ever West Wales Ladies Bowling Association league title.

Well done particularly as they only have a squad of nine players and they will now host a celebratory social evening for the county in November.

GARDEN PRESENTATION EVENING

This took place in the clubhouse last Friday when the winners of the best kept plots on the green surrounds were announced.

First prize went to Pam Bowen and Rod Bramhall who retained the Brian Deeley trophy that they won last year with Christine and Dennis Ball and Kath and Paul Blayney again coming second and third.

All the winners received a posy of flowers plus a garden centre voucher with Lynne Reyed also receiving one for her hard work again providing hanging baskets for the outside of the clubhouse.

Everyone enjoyed a fun evening including a buffet provided by the ladies.

SUE AND BRIAN DOOLEY

Best wishes to Sue and Brian Dooley who are leaving the area today with a move to Dorset.

The couple, having taken up the game only a few years ago, have become an integral part of the club and will be missed by all the members.

CARDIGAN FRIENDLY

A bus full of players and supporters from the club (pictured) travelled to play at Cardigan last Sunday.

The morning storm thankfully abated by lunchtime, enabling the six rink mixed friendly to go ahead and all enjoyed the day having been provided with a warm welcome and an excellent buffet after the match with the obligatory few drinks.

FIXTURES

With the outdoor season drawing to a close, there are only a few fixtures to mention.

The St Issells men’s team play twice this weekend, hosting Neyland at home tomorrow and travelling to Haverfordwest on Sunday to play St Thomas.

Today, there is a friendly against Woolston from Southampton and next week the club competition finals are due to take place culminating in the trophy presentation night on Saturday, September 8.