Pembroke Dock v Whitland

Played at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday, August 3.

Whitland journeyed south in a buoyant mood after an excellent win against high-flying Tenby the previous Saturday and were optimistic of completing the double against a resurgent Pembroke Dock side.

The Dockers had different ideas and were in no mood to be rolled over - both sides were up for a titanic duel in the Memorial Park and an excellent contest it turned out to be.

It would be great to report that the match was played under a cloudless, blue sky on a balmy summer evening, but this was far from being the truth. The skies were leaden, with dark grey clouds blowing in on a bracing on-shore breeze - most players wearing warm fleeces from the start!

Rink 1: The rink of Jerry Carroll, Karl Bierschenk, Reg Thomas and Richard Hissey put in another excellent shift with a good all-round performance against Colin Wynn’s quartet. Honours were even at the midway stage (10-10) and shortly afterwards the home rink managed to forge ahead, opening up a 10-shot lead after 16 ends. A nervy end to the game saw Whitland picking up six shots on the 18th end, only to concede four shots immediately afterwards - The Dock four held their nerve to win 26-21.

Rink 2: Matt John did a fine job of marshalling his rink of Dave Finn, Hugh Colley and Hugh Williams against Paul Wynn’s rink. At the interval, the home rink held a four-shot advantage, but towards the latter stages allowed their opponents back into the game. Going into the last end, games on the adjoining rinks had already been completed, so with The Dock holding a slender overall lead, it was essential not to relax as this would have allowed Whitland to pick up the six bonus points. In the gathering gloom, the home side found the full length jack on the last end with unerring accuracy, thereby picking up four shots, running out winners 21-16.

Rink 3: After a disjointed performance, club captain Richard Jones was unusually lost for words as his rink of Allistair Benn, Boyd Parry and Ken Edwards stormed into a 11-1 lead after just five ends. For some unknown reason, things quickly went downhill and, although they clung onto a 12-9 lead at the halfway stage, they only managed to score a further three shots. Excellent bowling by Dan Jenner saw the Whitland four catch up and draw level. On the 16th end they took the lead for the first time which they clung onto, eventually winning 21-15.

Rink 4: In a relatively low scoring game things were looking ominous as the rink comprising of Tudor Harries, Alan Yea, Dave Halward and Brian Dowling failed to score on the first five ends. Fortunately, they managed to prevent the Whitland four from building up an unassailable lead and after 10 ends, Brian’s rink had clawed their way back into the game, gaining a narrow 7-6 advantage. Following the break, the lead ebbed and flowed, with neither side able to pull clear. By securing three shots on the penultimate end, the home rink enjoyed an 18-15 advantage, but were denied victory as they promptly conceded three shots on the last end. Honours ended even with an 18-18 draw, which was probably a fair result.

Final score: Pembroke Dock 80 (11 pts) Whitland 76 (3).

Pembroke Dock v Milford Haven

Played at Milford Haven on Saturday, August 6.

Following an excellent hard fought win in mid-week against Whitland, The Dock journeyed across the Cleddau Bridge in an upbeat mood to take on Milford Haven who are enjoying their first season back in the top flight. With a blend of experience and skilful youngsters, this promised to be a tough encounter.

Thanks to another impressive team effort, The Dock kept their winning streak going and returned home with the maximum 14 points.

Similar to so many afternoons this summer, the match got underway on a sunny afternoon, but within the hour the blue skies had given way to heavy clouds which rolled up the Milford Haven waterway at a rate of knots.

Rink 1: The consistent rink of Paul Griffiths, Jerry Carroll, Reg Thomas and Richard Hissey thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon at Milford and held the lead from start to finish. At the interval they led by eight shots and, despite a noble effort by the Milford rink led by the genial Scot (Dave Buchanan), a former Dock stalwart, Richard’s men went on to gain a resounding 29- 8 victory.

Rink 2: Similarly, a fine all round performance by Brian Dowling’s rink of Alan Yea, Karl Bierschenk and Dave Halward saw The Dock clinch a further two points with an excellent win against the rink skipped by the vastly experienced Roy Thomas. Brian’s rink led from the fourth end onwards and, despite a slight stutter in the middle stages, they never looked back and ran out worthy winners 28-11.

Rink 3: This was almost a repeat of the Whitland game with the rink of Allistair Benn, Boyd Parry, Ken Edwards and club captain Richard Jones again storming into a commanding lead, only to take their foot off the throttle. After the 10th end they led 18-8, but failed to trouble the scoreboard for the next nine ends, allowing the young rink led by the excellent Lee Power to hold a 21-18 advantage going into the penultimate end. Fortunately, Richard’s men regained their composure and picked up five shots which resulted in a hard fought 23-21 victory.

Rink 4: It would be fair to say that for much of the match, the rink of Dave Finn, Hugh Colley, Hugh Williams and Matt John was akin to an engine firing on three cylinders with ‘yours truly’ struggling for line and length. After conceding five shots on the second end, this was always going to be tough match against an experienced Milford rink which contained Brian Davies, Ernie Sturley and the effervescent Tony Ellyatt. Matt’s four drew level as the interval approached and things got even better after the break - only for them to concede another five-shot count on the 19th end. However, the ‘never say die’ attitude prevailed, with The Dock four scoring two shots at the last to secure a 20-19 win.

Final score: Pembroke Dock 100 (14 points) Milford Haven 53 (0).

On Wednesday evening, Pembroke Dock travelled north to take on Fishguard in a rearranged fixture and then on Saturday they take a break from league action as it’s the eagerly awaited club finals day.

H.C.