Bonus Ball

Lucky winners this week were Carol and Ted. Tenby 103 Warwick 101 Yes it was as close as that. With the selectors determined to give all members an opportunity to play, there were some interesting positional selections. The Juniors were on display, and all acquitted themselves well, particularly Rachel Hensman, who Five Arches captain Mike Gouldingay, said was "the difference between winning and losing." Nine-year-old Molly Spencer played her first 21 ends game, and was shattered at the end, but she drew praise from her opponents. Having played Whitland the day before, the tourists were amazed at the number of youngsters on the green for both games. Captain for the day, Rob Wilkins, who originally hails from the Warwick area, was as pleased as punch with the result. On a windy and cold afternoon, president Bert Barnikel and his crew struggled with the conditions and eventually lost by 15 shots, but the result did not stop our Bert from giving his all for the cause. A strong middle patch by Tony Brown and his rink saw them home by a single shot. Ysie White drew praise from her skip and opponents alike. A series of single shots allowed visiting captain Barry Froggatt to defeat Rob Wilkins by five. Audrey Owen always gives 100 per cent for the team, but even she could not prevent a four-shot deficit. Gwyn Beynon and his foursome, with Doris Brown and Jim Taylor playing well in the blustery conditions, eased home to a 13-shot win. That was also the margin for Mike Gouldingay and his crew in his win. Nice to see Denis Watkins back in action again, although next day he admitted he was stiff as a poker! Diment Cup   

Saturday, April 30, saw the first of the serious games to be played on Tenby's immaculate turf. Club president Bert Barnikel welcomed both teams, Pembroke Dock and Whitland, to the Tenby green, the venue for the knock-out cup final, annually. It was actually the final of the 2006 Diment Inter- Club Knock-Out Cup, held over from last season. This handsome cup was presented to the Pembroke County Bowling Association by Robert Diment's family celebrating Bobby's long and distinguished association with the county bowling affairs. Fittingly, Tenby BC won it at the first outing in 2002, and Doreen Diment, Bobby's widow,  was thrilled to present the trophy to the Tenby club where Bobby spent many happy years.  The match itself between Pembroke Dock and Whitland was fairly high-classed for early season.  The strong Pembroke Dock team showed early promise and looked good up to the 12th end. Whitland, for all the noise and high-fives, struggled with the pace of the green. Anyone who thought that bowls was an old man's game were soon to learn otherwise. Whitland's team, whose average age must have been about 21, stuck at the task and battled back into contention, the final outcome being in doubt until the 20th end. The skill of the very youthful Whitland team told in the end with a nine-shot victory.  Tenby's chairman, David King Thomas, ended the event with congratulations to both teams on a very sporting and exciting contest.  Club president Bert Barnikel presented the very fine cup to the 2006 captain, Chris Court, who then thanked his team and was generous with praise for the superb bowling surface and the general reception from the Tenby club.

FIVE ARCHES 118 (14 pts) PEMBROKE DOCK PATER 49 (0)

Last Saturday, Five Arches played host to Pembroke Dock Pater hoping to pick up points after the previous week's defeat by two shots against St. Thomas. And Five Arches wasted no time by getting off to a flying start on rink four. Led by Roy Kennion, who was in fantastic form, and Jock Best, with Mike Gouldingay as third and John Moffat as skip, they hardly put a wood wrong all afternoon and went on to win by 36 shots. Rink two saw Ashley Hooper once again in brilliant form and along with Ted Brutnell and Graham Hill, with Dai King Thomas at the helm, they went on to win by 18 shots Rink three produced a closer battle, with Ken Lloyd and Rob Wilkins up front and Ron Hurlow with Gwyn Beynon at the helm winning by a seven-shot margin . Rink five saw Stuart Askew and Jonathan Hubbard up front, with Tony Brown and Mike Crockford at the rear hanging on to an eight-shot win and giving an overall 14-point victory. Rink scores (Five Arches first, Pembroke Dock Pater skips only) were as follows: A. Hooper, T. Brutnel, G. Hill, D. K. Thomas 29; P. Satts 11. K. Lloyd, R. Wilkins, R. Hurlow, G. Beynon 22; S. James 15. R. Kennion, J. Best, M. Gouldingay, J. Moffat 45; S. Davies 9. S. Askew, J. Hubbard, T. Brown, M. Crockford 22; J. Turley 14. Many thanks to Five Arches' sponsors, Stena Line, Welsh Shop and Tees-R-Us.

whist results

Thursday, May 3: top score -Muriel Griffiths; 1st lady - Pearl Thomas; 2nd lady - Gladys Cleaton; 1st gent - Bert Barnikel; 2nd gent - Gladys Irvine; first half winner - Elsie Breadnam; second half winner - Olive Frost; longest sitter - Jill Groom; lowest score - Ginnie Beeken; raffles - Pearl Thomas and Gladys Cleaton.  Monday, May 7: top score - John Mills; 1st lady - Ginnie Beeken; 2nd lady - Gladys Cleaton; 1st gent - Joyce Waters; 2nd gent - Jill Groom; first half winner - Pauline Barnikel; second half winner - Mabel Whitaker; longest sitter - Vera Burrows; lowest score - Bill Whitaker; raffle winners - Vera Burrows and Mabel Whitaker. Tenby Bowling Club whist drives are held twice weekly, Monday and Thursday, at 7 pm sharp. Visitors and new members are always welcome.