HAVERFORDWEST 54 (2) TENBY 98 (12 pts)
2nd May 2015
The Molson Coors sponsored Tenby team travelled to Haverfordwest to play last year's runners-up in the Pembrokeshire League Division One. The last time these two teams played, Haverfordwest were victorious on all rinks and recorded a score of 14-0. What was more impressive for the county town side was their victory was at the Sutton Street headquarters of the Sharks. Tenby travelled and arrived in rain and it was to the credit of the Haverfordwest green-keeping staff that the game was played at all. However; an hour into the game, the rain ceased and the game was completed, with the only complaint being the cold. Before the game, captain Joe Richards asked both teams to stand for a minute's silence following the sudden passing of John Roberts, of Neyland, father of Tenby's own John Roberts. John, a very popular figure in Pembrokeshire bowls, will be sadly missed. He worked tirelessly for the Neyland club as both their secretary, fixture secretary and county delegate for many years and our thoughts and condolences go to John and his family.
Rink one: The Kieran Peregrine four of Mike Jackson, Jon Webb and Chris Court had a close game against the Gareth Barrett rink. At five and 10 ends they were a single shot behind (3-4 and 9-10). They levelled things up at 15 ends (13-13), but a costly count against them on end 18 (four shots) meant they were very much up against it during the closing stages, finally losing by single shot, 18-19. Rink two: Luke Guymer made his first start for the Sharks, playing `third' with Paul Diment, Dai Rees and Cameron White made up the rink. In a similar vein to last week, Diment went off to a flyer, leading 9-1 after six. A dropped count of four shots gave some impetus to the Alan Whitehouse rink, but a great shot by Luke Guymer took the wind from their sails on the following end and the Tenby four strelled to a comfortable 22-14 victory, with Dai Rees and Cameron White both having excellent games.
Rink three: Craig Guymer, now the team's first aid specialist, also made his first start. Together with new vice-captain, Gerald Hewitt, Huw Nicholas and Ryan Thomas, they competed against a Haverfordwest rink led by the county team manager, PDS Jenkins. After five ends, Tenby led by 6-2, but the Haverfordwest rink scored a three on the 10th end to trail 10-8 and levelled matters on the next end 10-10. A scoring sequence of 2, 1, 4 and 2 put Craig's men back in control and they eventually closed out the match 23-14. Rink four: Last week's top rink also claimed top honours this week. Andrew Muskett, Peter Day and Ben Sheldon were joined by captain Joe Richards - in for Aaron Lloyd. At five ends they trailed 4-6, but then they won an incredible 15 out of a possible 16 ends, scoring a 5 and two 4s along the way to win against Richard O'Leary, 35-7. A win against arguably our closest rivals on their own green carried on the form of the previous week against Saundersfoot and momentum is good leading into the group stages of the Carruthers Shield which will be over the next three weeks. The first game (tomorrow) is against Fishguard (home), followed by games against Whitland (away) and Pembroke Dock (home) on following Saturdays.