Tenby 107 Saundersfoot 71
18th July 2015
The Giltar Hotel sponsored Tenby team powered their way into the last eight of the Carruthers Shield last Saturday, against a very spirited Saundersfoot Team. Never in the history of the Carruthers Shield, have two sides from Pembrokeshire met in the knock out stages of the Welsh Club Championship. Tenby navigated through two home games against Bargoed and Brynmawr whilst Saundersfoot also won their two opening games, also playing at home, against Cwmbran and Blaenrhondda. Tenby, playing their third game at home, were favorites but Saundersfoot do not pay any attention to the underdog tag and knew that in a one off game, they were more than capable of defeating Tenby.
Rink 1 saw Craig Guymer, brother Luke, Chris Court and Mike Jackson take on the foursome of Merv Dennis. A pair of doubles for Tenby followed by a dropped count of four, evened things up at 3 ends. The dropped four was likened to waking the sleeping beast and the Tenby four were very much in the mood to make amends. The next few ends saw Tenby score, six shots without reply (3,1,2) before Saundersfoot replied with two scoring ends of their own (1 and 2). At eight ends, Tenby led by six (10-4). What can only be described as a world class display by Luke Guymer then came to the fore and the Saundersfoot rink buckled under the barrage. The other three players in the rink assisted Luke, but the plaudits were for the former International Lead. Winning 12 out of the next 13 ends, by a score of 25-4 (one end of a dropped four) saw a really tremendous display by the Tenby rink who romped home by 35 shots to 11.
Rink 2: Diment was up against Saundersfoot’s top rink and knew that if he kept them quiet, then Tenby would be in pole position in the match. That said, the Tenby fours aren’t that bad and certainly were not out to simply contain. Cameron White and Joe Richards had easily their best performances in the Carruthers this season, and ably supported by international Ryan Thomas, the rink speed off into an 8-0 lead after four ends. At the seven end mark, the Tenby rink led by 9-5. Then three consecutive scores of 2, 3 and 4 extend their lead by 18-5. This seemed to well and truly burst the Saundersfoot bubble over the whole green – especially with events on rink 1 taking effect. Saundersfoot outscored the Tenby rink over the next 11 ends, by 8 shots to 11, but the damage had already been done and the Tenby rink could boast a very good win against Berywn Dennis’ four by 26-16.
Rink 3: The return of the ‘wanderer’ (Wolves fan), Simon Evans teamed up with Keiran Peregrine in the absence of John Roberts. With 4 Gold Cups and 8 Silver Bowls between them, this was not a bad replacement for the new County Singles Champion. With two-time Five Arches Bowl semi-finalist, Jon Webb, as second and new father, Luke Rees at lead, they took on new County Triples winner, Stephen Poole. Stephen was certainly on the top of his game and the visitors went off into a 10 shots to 2 lead. Then at 10 ends, the back end combination stopped reminiscing about past open week glories and Wolves new signings (which didn’t take long), and promptly took a count of four shots. Another four count soon followed and they were only a single shot behind at 15 ends and then tied things up on the next end (15-15). A dropped count of four on the next end handed the incentive back to Saundersfoot, but then the Tenby rink also four shots to level things up again 19-19. A single for the Tenby rink followed by a single for the Saundersfoot rink leveled things up 20-20 going into the last – exciting stuff. However, a count of 3 against, meant Saundersfoot won 23-20.
Rink 4: The all stars were out on the very difficult rink four. Despite this, and in usual style, the Lee Williamson foursome flew off into a big lead. All level at four ends (3-3) the Williamson, Muskett, Day and Lloyd rink scored a sequence of 3, 2, 2, 3, 5 and 2 to take a commanding lead of 20-3. Credit to the Saundersfoot rink however as they did not let their heads drop and with former Carruthers Shield Winner, Paul Blayney having an excellent game, they came right back at the Tenby four to only be behind by a single shot at the 19 end mark (22-21). Tenby however won the last two ends with doubles to record a win of 26-21.
In conclusion a very impressive win for Tenby against a very strong challenge by our near neighbours who can be very proud of their achievements in this competition next year. Thanks from the team to the ladies for the wonderful meal – again – after the game and also to Ken Lloyd for ensuring that the green was at its best. Next up for a place in the semi-finals are Barry Athletic who saw off the challenge of Mid Wales team, Presteigne by four shots.