Pembroke Dock 71 (4 pts) Saundersfoot 72 (10 pts): Last season’s Division One league champions Saundersfoot commenced their bid to retain their title with an away fixture at Pembroke Dock last Saturday.

This was always going to be a tough fixture coming so early in the season at the home of the Dockers who themselves had finished in third place in 2018.

The overnight rain from storm Hannah had thankfully abated by the afternoon start but strong winds still made for difficult conditions for all the players.

The overall lead constantly fluctuated and the result was in doubt until the last bowl of the match before the villagers earned a hard fought win by the narrowest of margins.

After five ends scores were level and at the half way point this was still the case.

With fifteen ends gone Saundersfoot had taken a slight five shot lead but with three rinks off the green it was down to the rinks skipped by Saundersfoot captain Berwyn Dennis and Pembroke Dock’s Richard Jones to decide the outcome with overall scores tied and with one end remaining.

With all the other players watching from the bank and one down, Richard Jones tried to remove the shot with his last wood and hit the jack only for it to move to another Saundersfoot bowl to give the villagers an opening victory.

The game, as always between these clubs, was played in an excellent spirit and if the player’s nerves can stand it, who knows what will happen when they meet again on May 25 again at the Dock in a Carruthers Shield Welsh Cup match.

Making his league debut for Saundersfoot was Daniel Seabourne, an English under 25 international both indoor and outdoor who has moved to the area from Norfolk and who is going to be a valuable addition to the club.

Rink scores with Saundersfoot first and Pembroke Dock skips only were: Graham Hughes, John Amos, Brian Desmond, Myrddin Dennis 18 Hugh Williams 23; Daniel Seabourne, Mike Ashbridge, Selwyn Price, Joe Dennis 20 Dave Halward 16; Dai Davies, Barrie Lee, Tony Rose, Berwyn Dennis 21 Richard Jones 14; Alan Brain, Mackie Brace, Paul Blayney, Steve Dick 13 Richard Hissey 18.

Next up is a home league encounter tomorrow (Saturday) against newly promoted Fishguard and Goodwick with the match commencing at 2 pm.

Whitland 77

Saundersfoot 83

The annual pre-season friendly between these clubs took place recently and in an enjoyable match, blessed with warm sunshine, the villagers won by six shots.

Afterwards, all the players enjoyed a buffet that had been kindly prepared by the home club.

Rink scores with Saundersfoot first and Whitland skips only were: Daniel Seabourne, Rod Bramhall, Selwyn Price, Joe Dennis 12 Glyndwr Thomas 14; Dai Davies, Barrie Lee, Don Poole, Berwyn Dennis 22 Charlie Morse 16; Alan Brain, Paul Sneyd, Brian Desmond, Steve Dick 21 Huw Nicholas 28; Graham Hughes, John Amos, Mike Ashbridge, Myrddin Dennis 28 Steve Reese 19.

Fixtures

There is a mixed friendly on the green this afternoon against tourists from Portishead in Bristol and In addition to the league match mentioned above also tomorrow the Saundersfoot ladies team entertain Picton ladies of Haverfordwest.

On Sunday, the St Issells men commence their Second Division league campaign hosting Neyland whilst the St Issells ladies also play Neyland at home.

The Saundersfoot ladies play two more fixtures next week at home to Tasker on Tuesday and away to Pendine on Thursday, both matches starting at 6 pm.

Tuesday Triples

The popular Tuesday Triples afternoons started last week and will continue throughout the season.

Organised again by Christine Harris, not only club members but all local bowlers and holidaymakers are welcome to join in.