SAUNDERSFOOT 78 (10PTS) PEMBROKE DOCK 76 (4PTS): The Saundersfoot men’s first division team played two difficult matches last week with points at stake in their bid to remain top of the Pembrokeshire bowls league and become champions for the first time since 2006.

First up was Pembroke Dock at home in a midweek fixture.

At the half way point, the villagers held a slender two point lead and both teams were sensing a win with the result going down to the wire before Saundersfoot just about edged home by the same margin.

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

Graham Hughes, Neil Hensman, Brian Desmond, Myrddin Dennis 23 Dave Halward 14.

Don Poole, Dai Davies, Mackie Brace, Berwin Dennis 18 Richard Hissey 15.

John Haig, Brian Dooley, Steve Williams, Steve Dick 20 Matthew John 28.

Alan Brain, Selwyn Price, Paul Blayney, Joe Dennis 17 Richard Jones 19.

TENBY 72 (3PTS) SAUNDERSFOOT 73 (11PTS)

Last Saturday, the two rivals met at Sutton Street in what is known as the local bowls ‘El Classico!’

It was always likely to be lively and close run thing but no one envisaged what an exciting finish it would turn out to be.

Tenby were six shots ahead after ten ends but only led by one shot at the three quarter mark.

With three rinks having finished and Tenby leading by six shots, it was all down to captain Berwyn skipping Dai Davies, Don Poole and Steve Williams against the home four of Ben Cloake, Peter Hooper, Luke Rees and skip John Roberts, to decide the outcome on their last three ends.

With the other twenty four players who had finished, plus spectators, all eagerly watching every shot and the tension building, two counts of three by the villagers left scores tied going into the last end.

With one wood each left to play, Berwyn drew the shot followed by John also drawing close before his wood fell towards the jack to leave a nervy measure before the Saundersfoot bowl was declared the shot giving the win by the narrowest of margins and ensuring much shouting and jubilation (particularly from Joe Dennis!) from the villagers.

After nearly four hours of intense bowling, it had all come down to a measure with the last two woods of the day but what a finish was provided with four points turning into eleven at the death and a testimony to the team spirit that has been evident all season from the Saundersfoot boys.

Who said that bowls was boring!

Mention must be made of four young players, Aaron Roberts and Mark Davies and eleven year old Finlay Williamson for Tenby and Iestyn Williams of Saundersfoot who were all making their debuts and played superbly with the correct etiquette to go with their undoubted skill.

On rink one, Alan Brain led for Joe Dennis with Selwyn Price at second and Mackie Brace third against the Tenby four skipped by Andrew Muskett.

The show rink held no fears for the village four who, after a close first half, picked up two threes and a four in the second period to help them win by twenty three shots to fifteen.

Rink two as explained above picked up seven shots in the last three ends to earn a draw, both teams scoring twenty one shots.

Steve Dick skipped Iestyn Williams, Brian Dooley and Paul Blayney on rink three up against the Joe Richards four.

With the home boys playing the better bowls, they led by fifteen shots with three ends remaining but here too a fighting finish saw the Saundersfoot boys pull back six shots to help the overall result although losing by twenty four shots to fifteen.

The settled rink of Graham Hughes, Neil Hensman, Brian Desmond and skip Myrddin Dennis, pulled off another win, this time against Finlay Williamson, Fred Broomhead, Peter Day and Ryan Thomas on rink four by fourteen shots to twelve.

Following the match, the Saundersfoot boys spent their annual evening around the Tenby hostelries, this year with a real spring in their step, with the legs getting a bit wobbly later after two rounds of shots bought for the team by captain Berwyn.

With just three matches remaining, Saundersfoot lead the league table by eleven points and a healthy shot difference over second placed Whitland.

Tomorrow, there is the last home game of the season against the other Tenby team, Five Arches, the match commencing at 2 pm.

ST ISSELLS 73 ST THOMAS 97

Playing at home last Sunday in a Brains Cup encounter, St Issells were beaten by a strong St Thomas of Haverfordwest team by twenty four shots meaning it’s the visitors who now progress to the final against Fishguard and Goodwick next Sunday at Milford Haven.

Rink Scores with St Issells first and St Thomas skips only were: Billy Glynn, John Amos, John Haig, Mike Ashbridge 15 Phil John 27.

Nev Ruff, Eirwyn Davies, Mike Oliver, David Walters 21 Ken Simpson 26.

George Cavell, Barrie Lee, Alan Rich, Paul Sneyd 24 David Summers 20.

Peter Williams, Roy Harris, Mike Carr, Dennis Ball 13 Mike Codd 24.

GOOD LUCK

Best wishes to Graham Hughes, Dai Davies and Myrddin and Joe Dennis who are competing this weekend in the Welsh Bowling Association rink finals at Llandrindod Wells.

Also, good luck to the Saundersfoot ladies who have reached the West Wales Ladies Bowling Association finals which are also taking place this weekend at Pembroke Dock.

CHARITY MATCH

Last week, a friendly match took place between Saundersfoot and a team from the village.

Organised by Mackie Brace, after a few ends of bowls, all retired to the clubhouse for a social evening when Mackie was pleased to announce that a sum of £126 had been