Last Saturday saw the finals of the annual Saundersfoot open tournament take place as the sun heralded in the best weather of the week.

First up was the pairs final with the local duo of Paul Blayney and Malcolm Brace up against previous winners John Roberts, of Tenby, and Lyn Guy from Berwick Upon Tweed.

With all four players in fine form, the match went down to the last end with Paul and Mackie winning the Poole Family Bowl by 18 shots to 15.

In the main singles final for the Osborne Trophy, three times winner John Roberts, playing his second final of the day, was up against David Kingdon, of Kidwelly, the defending champion.

It was Dave who came out on top by 21 shots to 14 to equal John’s record of three wins.

The singles final in the Absolute Bowls competition saw two young Kidwelly members play out a close tussle before Jordan Driscoll defeated Josh Jones by 21 shots to 19.

At the presentation ceremony that followed, tournament organiser Paul Blayney thanked all the competitors and supporters who had attended all the week and The Heritage Park in Pleasant Valley Stepaside, Absolute Bowls and Templeton Beer, Wine and Spirit Company for their continued sponsorship.

Thanks were given to the week’s markers, umpire Fred Rogers and Nev Ruff and Dai Davies, together with Brian Dooley, Roy Kennion, Alan Rich and Dave Hicks who had officiated for the finals.

Nev, Mackie and Adam Hensman received special thanks for being on hand to help put out and bring in the equipment each day and Dave Kingdon, Alan Brain and John Roberts who had brushed the standing water off the green on the Thursday morning in order that play could take place.

The ladies of the club were thanked for their hard work in having to cater for two county games and the week’s tournament, all within seven days as well as those who had manned the bar and donated food and raffle prizes.

Club president Ann Lewis and life member Don Poole were then invited to perform the presentation ceremony, following which Ann thanked Paul for all his work in organising the event, presenting him with a gift of wine and the ladies who had assisted throughout the week, particularly Diane Rigden and Ann Davies who also received a gift.

Special mention was made of 14-year-old Iestyn Williams from the Rhondda Valley who had reached the last 16 of the singles and together with father Steve, the semi-final of the pairs competition.

The full list of results was:

OSBORNE TROPHY SINGLES

Preliminary round: Nigel Davies 20 Steve Dick 21; Mark Driscoll 21 Joe Dennis 11; John Roberts 21 Tommy Nutt 6; Mackie Brace 21 Eric Dezille 20; Gareth Barrett 21 Adam Hensman 19; Alan Thomas 20 Iestyn Williams 21; Lyn Guy 21 Josh Boyce 15; Berwin Dennis 21 Ian Davies 12.

First round: Steve Dick 21 Mark Driscoll 15; John Roberts 21 Mackie Brace 6; Gareth Barrett 20 Iestyn Williams 21; Lyn Guy 21 Berwin Dennis 7; Brian Richards 21 John Davies 20; Dennis Ball 8 Tom Daniel 21; John Haig 13 Richard Whittaker 21; Paul Blayney 14 Brian McKehon 21; Jordan Driscoll 10 David Kingdon 21; Myrddin Dennis 21 Brian Kingdon 19; Liam Price 14 Mike Jackson 21; George Cavell 21 Dilwyn Jones 12; Nev Ruff 19 Peter Toomey 15 (conceded); Steve Williams 21 Josh Jones 14; Phil Jones 21 Stephen Grail 9; Colin Jones 11 Alan Newbury 21.

Second round: Steve Dick 11 John Roberts 21; Iestyn Williams 10 Lyn Guy 21; Brian Richards 21 Tom Daniel 12; Richard Whittaker 14 Brian McKehon 21; David Kingdon 21 Myrddin Dennis 6; Mike Jackson 21 George Cavell 19; Nev Ruff 16 Steve Williams 21; Phil Jones 21 Alan Newbury 13.

Quarter-finals: John Roberts 21 Lyn Guy 16; Brian Richards 21 Brian McKehon 16; David Kingdon 21 Mike Jackson 6; Steve Williams 21 Phil Jones 19.

Semi-finals: John Roberts 21 Brian Richards 12; David Kingdon 21 Steve Williams 11

Final: John Roberts 14 David Kingdon 21.

POOLE BOWL PAIRS

Preliminary round: A. Rich/S. Ingerson 14 B. Dennis/A. Brain 20; S. Amos/M. Dennis 25 B. Glynn/B. McKehon 7; D. and C. Ball 15 M. Evans/S. Mansbridge 17; D. and B. Kingdon 32 P Jones/M Griffiths 9; C. Jones/I. Davies 24 A. Hensman/ J. Dennis 26; G. Cavell/B. Lee 3 L. Guy/J. Roberts 28; N. Ruff/S. Dick 30 T. Nutt/J. Davies 11; R. Whittaker/J. Haig 13 J. Dugmore/A. Lewis 23; J. and M. Driscoll 27 J. Jones/J. Boyce 17; D. Jones/E. Dezille 16 L. Reyad/D. Davies 18.

First round: B. Dennis/A. Brain 10 S. Amos/M. Dennis 20; M. Evans/S. Mansbridge 30 D. and B. Kingdon 15; A. Hensman/J. Dennis 20 L. Guy/J. Roberts 21; N. Ruff/S. Dick 21 J. Dugmore/A. Lewis 5; M. and J. Driscoll 23 L. Price/M. Jackson 13; L. Reyad/D. Davies 14 P. Blayney/M. Brace 25; B. Richards/A. Thomas 12 T. Daniel/M. Davies 18; S. and B. Dooley 14 I. and S. Williams 29.

Quarter-finals: S. Amos/M. Dennis 13 M. Evans/S. Mansbridge 17; L. Guy/J. Roberts 27 N. Ruff/S. Dick 8; M. and J. Driscoll 15 P. Blayney/M. Brace 23; T. Daniel/M. Davies 11 I. and S. Williams 19.

Semi-finals: M. Evans/S. Mansbridge 8 L. Guy/J. Roberts 25; P. Blayney/M. Brace 19 I. and S. Williams 18.

Final: P. Blayney/M. Brace 18 L. Guy/J. Roberts 15.

ABSOLUTE BOWLS SINGLES

Semi-finals: J. Jones 21 D. Jones 1; J. Driscoll 21 M. Driscoll 18.

Final: J. Jones 19 J. Driscoll 21

ST. ISSELL’S 72 (4 pts.) CASTLE 81 (10)

The St. Issell’s men travelled to Haverfordwest last Sunday to play a Castle team who are top of the second division league table and hoping to make a quick return to the top flight having been relegated last season.

In a close match with both teams winning two rinks apiece, it was the home team who continued their run of success with a narrow nine shot win.

MEYRICK OWEN

The St. Brides rink gained another win last week with a narrow one shot win away at Pendine.

Their fixture at Fishguard and Goodwick two days later was postponed due to bad weather.

SAUNDERSFOOT MEN’S FIRST DIVISION TEAM

Although having no fixture last weekend due to the club’s open week tournament, the Saundersfoot first division team will certainly be busy in the next eight days with no fewer than four league matches.

Tomorrow, they play at home in the local derby against Tenby and then next Wednesday travel to Sutton Street to play the other Tenby boys, Five Arches.

The following night, there is a rearranged game at home to Whitland and then on Saturday, August 13, there is another home game against Haverfordwest.

The situation at the top of the table is looking like a three horse race between Haverfordwest, Tenby and Saundersfoot and should become a little clearer after this flurry of fixtures.

GARDEN PRESENTATION NIGHT

There is a social evening at the club tonight when members will discover who will be the first recipient of the award for the best kept plot around the bowling green.

The surrounds are certainly looking much better this year and all of those who have taken areas to look after should be commended for their hard work.

LADIES’ MEETING

There will be a ladies’ meeting at the club next Tuesday, August 9, at 6 pm. Please make every effort to attend.

WEST WALES LADIES BOWLING ASSOCIATION

The WWLBA competitions have reached the semi-final stage with Saundersfoot ladies well represented.

These take place tomorrow at Pendine and best wishes are sent to all our competitors for success.