Cardiganshire Short Mat Bowling Association
Cymdeithas Bowlio Mat Byr Ceredigion
League
League table for 2011/2012 season
| Results and league positions as of 3rd February, 2012 |
| Team name | P | W | D | L | P+ | P- | Diff |
| Rhydlewis | 17 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 100 | 36 | +64 |
| Aberporth | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 96 | 40 | +56 |
| Manordeifi | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 93 | 43 | +50 |
| Pencnwc | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 86 | 42 | +44 |
| Capel Dewi | 17 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 83 | 50 | +32 |
| Llandygwydd | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 72 | 56 | +16 |
| Tygwydd | 16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 57 | 71 | -14 |
| Mydroilyn | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 56 | 72 | -16 |
| Llechryd | 17 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 54 | 82 | -28 |
| Dolphins | 16 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 53 | 75 | -22 |
| Penrhiwllan | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 49 | 79 | -30 |
| Cilgerran | 17 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 34 | 102 | -68 |
| Orllwyn | 16 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 23 | 105 | -82 |
| NB: | Currently, league position is based on points for (P+), then number of wins, then number of draws
Teams with one or more games in hand are shown above those with equal points, wins and draws Teams on equal games, points, wins and draws are listed alphabetically |
For a printable page of this week's results and the league table above for your club's notice board, click here
To see the latest match report and Umpires for future games, click here
League fixtures and Umpires and reports for 2011/2012 season
WC 19th September
The Struggle Begins
The season began last week with only one real surprise and with last year’s winners not letting up their grip, despite a pre-season reminder from Mydroilyn that Rhydlewis may not have it all their own way this year. In fact the one surprise came from the northerly team of Mydroilyn’s Pussycats as they mauled the Llandygwydd Lions taking six points off them.
Rhydlewis took all the points off poorly Penrhiwllan whilst Manordeifi started off on the right note by taking all points off neighbours Cilgerran and three other games ending in 6-2 victories, creating no real surprises.
In the Aberporth v Tygwydd game, it was the visitors who started well, with Darren securing a convincing win over Paul, whilst on the other mat the home pair combination of Ceri and Cory gave Bruce and Rhys little chance to savour the few ends they won.
The triples were neck-and-neck until the end – with the score at 8-all on the eighth end, but the Seasiders took the ninth end well, leaving little for the Tigers to do in the final end. The fours was also close, but with Delyth’s team always catching up, the home team made sure of their two points.
Michael Martin, 24.09.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 19.09.2011 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Dolphins | 6 - 2 |
| 20.09.2011 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Llandygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| 22.09.2011 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Penrhiwllan | 8 - 0 |
| 22.09.2011 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Llechryd | 2 - 6 |
| 22.09.2011 | Thursday | Aberporth | Tygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| 23.09.2011 | Friday | Manordeifi | Cilgerran | 8 - 0 |
| Pencnwc | Bye |
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WC 26th September
Mydroilyn Magnificent
Four games took place last Thursday with Pencnwc finally getting into action, against Dolphins, and as reported by Pat Immins, on her debut as Captain of the team, she started off nervously, by welcoming Aberporth!
In the singles Pencnwc's John didn't start well with Mike Trick playing really consistently. But John soon got into his rhythm, eventually winning 13-8. As he said afterwards, he really had to concentrate and search for ways to beat Mike. The Dolphins pair of Margaret and Eileen outplayed Pencnwc's Bob and Gavin winning 6-13. Eileen, new to the Dolphins team, in particular, had a really good game, so well done to her. The triples, led by Lynda and Joyce, was another close game with Pencnwc eventual winners 10-9. They were up 10-4 with two ends to go and seemingly coasting but Dolphins hit back in the last two ends with a three and a two. A lack of concentration by Pencnwc maybe. It was another close game in the fours, skipped by Roy and Peter, and won by Dolphins 4-9. After 7 ends it was 4-4, but then Dolphins edged ahead to win.
The match finished with 4 points apiece - which delighted both teams.
On the same evening, Dolphin’s club colleagues, Aberporth were host to Llechryd. With the exception of the pairs game, which the home pair of Emyr Williams and Cory Williams dominated from the start, all of the games were close enough to be in contention right up to the last few woods. Indeed, in the singles game, Paul Edwards was one down with one wood to bowl in the last end. This left him tempted to not bowl the last wood and accept a draw - a valuable point for the team. However he opted to play and his choice paid off as his last wood turned the end in his favour, securing two points, instead.
The visitors, even though they went away empty-handed, were no pushover. In every game, they bowled well and the result could easily have swung their way. Aberporth will be pleased with the 8 points win.
On the Friday evening, Mydroilyn showed why they seem to be on a roll at the moment as they clinched six points off Cilgerran. Jill showed her skill over Jake to win safely, whilst on the other mat, Rita and Michael seemed to have it in the bag, but allowed John and Barbara to creep back in, winning the game on the final end.
It was much the same in the triples and fours. In the triples, Mydroilyn seemed to be in control but the Cilgerran team of Aaron, Margaret and Jeane rallied, particularly on the 9th end when they scored a four. Mydroilyn held on though, to win. In the fours Cilgerran held the game, but once again, the visitors got the lie of the land and crept back in and also got a four on the final end to take the points.
In other games, Capel Dewi secured six points off Penrhiwllan whilst two strong teams met at Rhydlewis when Manordeifi visited them - both flush with the eight points from the previous week. In this instance though, something had to give and it was the visitors who dropped the points.
A local derby-game occurred in Llandygwydd on Friday evening, when Tygwydd entertained Llandygwydd. The latter team often take their time to settle in to the season and this year was no different with Tygwydd taking six of the eight points.
Michael Martin, 01.10.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 29.09.2011 | Thursday | Aberporth | Llechryd | 8 - 0 |
| 29.09.2011 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Capel Dewi | 2 - 6 |
| 29.09.2011 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Dolphins | 4 - 4 |
| 29.09.2011 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Manordeifi | 6 - 2 |
| 30.09.2011 | Friday | Cilgerran | Mydroilyn | 2 - 6 |
| 30.09.2011 | Friday | Tygwydd | Llandygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| Orllwyn | Bye |
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WC 3rd October
Perfect Pencnwc
Games were spread over four evenings last week, with Capel Dewi meeting Manordeifi on Monday in what was always going to be a strongly-fought game. Whilst the captains battled it out in the singles, with Steve not having it all his own way, the pairs game provided the only one-sided affair of the evening with the home pair dominating play. For the second half of the evening, two very exciting games took place.
On Tuesday Penrhiwllan travelled north to Mydroilyn Village Hall and secured three points off a team that seems to be on form at the moment. How different things were a couple of years ago when nearly everyone expected a fistful of points if playing Mydroilyn! Now they are lying third in the league.
On Thursday it was a truly home-affair in Aberporth as the club’s two teams battled it out. I have no details, but Dolphins were able to secure two points, preventing the Aberporth players from staying in touch with their rivals who were also playing that evening in Penrhiwllan against Orllwyn. In this game, last year's League Champions walked off with all points available.
Friday saw Tygwydd playing at home to Pencnwc, and, as Pat reported, “What a lovely time Pencnwc had. Not only did they provide a sauna for the first half, but they let us have 6 points as well. Darren lost 10-14 in the singles to John; the triples of David F, David B and Davina were beaten 3-10 by Gavin, Sue and Bob, and rinks of Meredith, Huw, Betty and Islwyn lost 7-11 to Alan, Barry, Neil and Roy. But it was a completely different story in the Pairs where Delyth and Bruce ran away 18-4 winners against Pat and Lynda. The Pencnwc pair really struggled with both line and length, and their cause wasn't helped by Bruce having one of those wonderful games which you wish you could have yourself. He hardly put a bowl wrong the whole game. Pencnwc's two new players, Barry & Sue, acquitted themselves very well and will be a big asset to the club. I would also like to add how much the whole of Pencnwc appreciated David's comments at the beginning when he spoke so warmly about Tom Beauchamp. And yes, we do all miss him very much.”
Finally across the river in Cilgerran, they played host to neighbours Llechryd. It would seem that the visiting team are having a tough time at the moment, as Cilgerran secured their first victory of the season – winning three of the games.
THE LEAGUE TABLE – SATURDAY 8th October - Week 3 of 26
Mydroilyn’s success continues, though the Redcoats are doing well – bearing in mind that they have only had two games. The top looks too familiar though.
Next week the top game will be Rhydlewis against Capel Dewi, whilst on-form Pussycats travel to Llechryd – who will try to stem their flow of points.
Michael Martin, 09.10.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 03.10.2011 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Manordeifi | 4 - 4 |
| 04.10.2011 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Penrhiwllan | 5 - 3 |
| 06.10.2011 | Thursday | Aberporth | Dolphins | 6 - 2 |
| 06.10.2011 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Rhydlewis | 0 - 8 |
| 07.10.2011 | Friday | Cilgerran | Llechryd | 6 - 2 |
| 07.10.2011 | Friday | Tygwydd | Pencnwc | 2 - 6 |
| Llandygwydd | Bye |
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WC 10th October
A Week of Surprises
There were four games last week that had unexpected results as well as one I didn’t want to see!
Orllwyn played Manordeifi and it would not have come as much of a surprise if every point went south of the river – but the Orllwyn Pairs and Fours turned up the heat, inflicting damage that must have surprised their opponents (let alone their club-mates who weren’t playing last week!) Carole (with an ‘e’) and Doreen overcame their nervousness in facing Pat Reynolds and Alan Ford to win their game. Doreen is new to the Penrhiwllan club, as is Neil – who took on the lead role in his second week of playing bowls! Partnered with Howard, Gwynfor and Lester, the fours team also overcame the visiting fours from Manordeifi. The four points earned put them just ahead of the Penrhiwllan team – apparently for the first time EVER! So well done there.
Dolphins are another team that don’t usually achieve great things, but they rallied around skip Mike Trick last week by winning 6-2 against Tygwydd. This week it was the Tygwydd triples who won. Mike’s team must be very pleased with this result and give them encouragement for future games.
The third result to stimulate conversation was Llandygwydd’s result against title-hopefuls, Aberporth. A 6-2 result to the Seasiders would have been expected, but the home side secured a draw. Compared to the two previous results this season, this would also be a welcome boost to the Lions.
For the first time this season, Llechryd played at home, by welcoming Mydroilyn who have started the season in excellent form. As Kenneth reports, “Bill Jones started off the evening in the singles going into a very early lead by winning the first five ends. But he allowed Jake to come back to lead 8-9 going into the last end. However Bill took three in that last end to take the game by 11-9.
But on the other mat it was the Mydroilyn pair of Barbara and John who took 3 shots against David and Kenneth in the last end to win 10-9.
The Ladies of Llechryd started the game as they meant to go on by taking the first end and not looking back to win 11-7. But it was in the rinks where all the action was taking place with Mydroilyn rushing into a 11-3 lead. But the come-back kings of David, Rosemary, Pauline and Geoff with their never-say-die attitude, who clawed their way back into the game to finish on the night 11-11, a fair result.
So Llechryd stopped the Juggernaught of Mydroilyn to win 5-3.” ‘Come-back kings’, Kenneth – two of them are queens, surely?
Talking of large unstoppable lorries (or coaches in this case), top team, Rhydlewis were facing fourth-placed Capel Dewi last Thursday. This was always billed as a tight game, but home-advantage seemed to be the decider, with six points heading inevitably Rhydlewis’s way.
Finally across the river in Cilgerran, they played host to the northern visitors of Pencnwc. As Pat reports “Pencnwc travelled to Cilgerran on Friday for a middle-of-the-table clash, and Pencnwc came away with all 8 points much to the delight of captain Pat who was noticeably stunned. It's not often that Pencnwc get 8 points. She had left herself out of this game and is now worried that she won't get back in the team again!
In the singles Neil was 11-2 up after 6 ends, finding line and length from the off, but as the good player she is, Jill hauled herself back into the game and the final result was 9-12 to Neil. The Pencnwc pairing of new boy Barry and Moira was too strong for Maubrae and Michael winning 8-19. In the triples Chris, Aaron and Margaret of Cilgerran just weren't strong enough against the very consistent Pencwnc triples of Gavin, Sue and Bob. The final score here was 4-14.
The fours was a very different game, with Kate's four going into a 5-2 lead after 4 ends, but then Pencnwc, ably skipped by John Evans, started to play a bit better and ran out 6-10 winners. It was good to see Pam marking her debut with a win on her return to the Pencnwc team after a 3/4 year absence. The highlight of the whole evening though, was the strawberries and cream scones. Mmmmmmmmm : yummy”
It’s funny how things work out. How come, when you play week after week in the same place, that when you really needed to do well, nothing, and I mean ‘nothing’ seems to go in your favour. Still at least I know where my strength is – strawberry and cream scones, obviously!
THE LEAGUE TABLE – SATURDAY 15th October - Week 4 of 26
The mixed results for those chasing glory, allowed the Coachmen to surge on, Capel Dewi barely denting the charge for top dog. The top teams must now be looking in their mirrors to see the Redcoats charging up behind them – having played one less game in their favour. In fact if you work out the number of points per game, they are second equal with Aberporth!
Next week the top game will again feature Rhydlewis, this time against Aberporth.
Michael Martin, 15.10.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 13.10.2011 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Cilgerran | 8 - 0 |
| 13.10.2011 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Capel Dewi | 6 - 2 |
| 13.10.2011 | Thursday | Dolphins | Tygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| 13.10.2011 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Aberporth | 4 - 4 |
| 14.10.2011 | Friday | Manordeifi | Orllwyn | 4 - 4 |
| 14.10.2011 | Friday | Llechryd | Mydroilyn | 5 - 3 |
| Penrhiwllan | Bye |
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WC 17th October
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 20.10.2011 | Thursday | Aberporth | Rhydlewis | 6 - 2 |
| 20.10.2011 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Dolphins | 4 - 4 |
| 20.10.2011 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Llandygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| 21.10.2011 | Friday | Llechryd | Capel Dewi | 5 - 3 |
| 21.10.2011 | Friday | Tygwydd | Manordeifi | 2 - 6 |
| 21.10.2011 | Friday | Cilgerran | Orllwyn | 5 - 3 |
| Mydroilyn | Bye |
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WC 24th October
Llandygwydd teams find form
Last week’s games kicked off (non-bowling terminology) with Pencnwc visiting Capel Dewi. Both teams are on good form this season and it proved to be a tough match with Pencnwc coming away 3-5 winners, by the skin of their teeth.
As Pat reported, “Phew! What an evening this was, with the Pairs, Triples and Rinks all playing extremely tight, hard fought games. To start with the singles: Peter Fleming took on Neil Immins (in more ways than one!), by starting his welcome speech by asking if there were any Manchester United fans in the room. A bad move this Peter, as Neil took you on and beat you by 13 shots to 5! Neil restricted Peter to just one shot on five ends, and, I have to say, played very cannily.
In the Pairs, Jack and Gerwyn played very consistently. They were 10-6 up at the 9th end, and then the Pencnwc pair of Gavin and Roy picked up a 4! 10-10. Unfortunately for Pencnwc they then dropped a 3, and even though they managed a single on the last end they ended up 13-11 losers in this one.
I didn't see much of the triples, but I understand this was an extremely tight game, with Pencnwc's triples led by Bob coming out 5-7 winners against Sally's team. The Capel Dewi triples only won 3 out of the 10 ends, but they restricted Pencnwc to just 1 shot on all other ends.
And so to the Fours, where Pencnwc's four, skipped by John, were 9-3 down after eight ends. Pencnwc picked up 2 on the ninth end, and amazingly, a 4 on the last end. A heart-stopping moment. Pencnwc were up against a very strong Capel Dewi four who played magnificently, ably led by Glanmor. But I have to say (if I may) that John Evans kept Pencnwc in this game with some excellent 'skip' shots. As I said earlier "phew"!
On Tuesday, Mydroilyn hosted the Dolphins. The home side are also having a good season and having not played the previous week hoped to resume their excellent form. Unfortunately for Mike Trick’s side, they did – taking six points.
Match of the week, probably, was Aberporth v Manordeifi, with both teams having aspirations of great things. In the end it was a share-out of the points. With Steve away, "Crymych" Dai took on the role of singles player and overcame Paul in that game. The other games were reported on by John Matthews, but sorry John I can only remember that bit!! (It’s the fever you know!)
Penrhiwllan are a bit down on their luck this season, whilst Llechryd are very much getting mixed results and here again the points got shared out.
In the final two games, both involved teams visiting the village hall in Llandygwydd – and both teams suffering as a result. On Thursday, Orllwyn, hoping to keep ahead of their club mates got nothing, despite all their efforts, and on Friday, Tygwydd knew they had to get a decent score to not drop behind their club-mates. This they did at Cilgerran’s expense.
The League Table – Saturday 29th October - Week 6 of 26
It’s a bit of a repeat of last year, as Aberporth eased ahead of Rhydlewis who weren’t playing last week. – how long will their lead last this time I wonder. Last season it was one week! Pencnwc’s success takes them into third place, whilst Mydroilyn aren’t far behind Manordeifi. However there is little in it for the bulk of the teams, with a slight gap opening up for the bottom three – which surprisingly includes Penrhiwllan.
Next week the leaders travel up to Pencnwc whilst Rhydlewis come back in to play Llechryd.
Michael Martin, 30.10.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 24.10.2011 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Pencnwc | 3 - 5 |
| 25.10.2011 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Dolphins | 6 - 2 |
| 27.10.2011 | Thursday | Aberporth | Manordeifi | 4 - 4 |
| 27.10.2011 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Llechryd | 4 - 4 |
| 27.10.2011 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Orllwyn | 8 - 0 |
| 28.10.2011 | Friday | Tygwydd | Cilgerran | 8 - 0 |
| Rhydlewis | Bye |
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WC 31st October
A good week for potential challengers
Manordeifi and Capel Dewi had a boost last week with 8-0 wins over opponents Penrhiwllan and Mydroilyn whilst Champions, Rhydlewis, re-entered the fray with a six-pointer against Llechryd. Pencnwc are also showing their strength this season with a draw against Aberporth.
On Monday Capel Dewi were facing an in-form Mydroilyn and a draw would not have been unexpected, but as it turned out the home side rolled in all four games to keep them in touch with the top teams in the League.
Pat Immins says that “Pencnwc approached their game, against Aberporth, with a great deal of trepidation - Aberporth's reputation preceded them - and there were some nervous people on the mats.
Pencnwc's first 2 points came in the singles with Neil coming out the eventual winner by 12 shots to 11 against Paul. This was a great comeback by Neil as he lost 5 ends on the trot and was losing 4-10 on the 7th end. But, his never-say-die attitude paid off, and scoring a 4 on the eleventh end with an amazing shot, ensured he ran out the winner this time. There was some really good bowling from both players here.
The pairs went to Aberporth's wonder boys - Emyr and Cory - who beat Pam and Lynda 8-15. Newcomer Pam was only playing her third game for her club and, once she relaxed, put in some good woods. You really can't afford to drop 4 shots against Emyr and Cory and unfortunately they did so - twice!
In the Triples there was some fantastic bowling going on. Gavin, Norma and Bob were up against Rhian, Winston and Bill. Both sides won five ends each, with Aberporth eventually getting the 2 points by winning 9-16. I understand the score didn't really reflect the match as Pencnwc dropped a 5 on the last end, but I think that this was because Bob was trying to kill the end as they were 5 down and they needed 3 to win.
The fours went Pencnwc's way with Alan, Barry, Pat and John restricting Bob, Owen, Gethyn and Brian to just 3 ends. The final score here was 15-6. So all-in-all, a good night, and a fair one. Well done to both sets of players.
Also on Thursday, Orllwyn hosted Tygwydd as Llandygwydd welcomed Cilgerran. In the first game, Orllwyn showed that they have some strength this season and others should not go expecting the points to fall for them, as last year, four good games were played with the results going evenly, though apparently it was a close thing to a home win in the triples. It was not so easy for Cilgerran where Jill Howell was the only one to get some points in her victory over Meurig. She held a four-point lead going into the final end and then had an aberration as Meurig nearly got the four he needed for a draw. In the pairs Iestyn and John Davies didn’t allow Maubrey and Rita a look-in. Whenever they did get a good shot on the jack, which was quite often, John knocked it away.
It was much the same in the triples where Goronwy showed his skill as a lead – which is always a great help. Ably assisted by Gareth and Chris, they cruised to a win over Chris, myself and Aaron. This game had it’s little point of controversy when one of my “strongly delivered woods” was judged by some as having nicked the block, whilst the others, skips included, didn’t. In my totally unbiased view, of course, it didn’t, but the “line judge” (that is Jill sitting not one yard away from the block) said it had, so we had to re-arrange the head after what was an extremely effective strike!
The fours went the way of the previous two games, with John Scot’s team convincingly taking the points, One thing crossed my mind, if Llandygwydd can play as they did last week, why have their results been so erratic?
Llechryd were up for a battle when Rhydlewis visited them on Friday, and they managed to keep one game to themselves, which meant that Rhydlewis having to hold back on their normal position in the League. Kenneth said that “Llechryd took on the Juggernaut of Rhydlewis on Friday and was nearly bowled over with Bill in the singles losing the first 10 ends to lose 14-9 but the pairs of David and Kenneth managed to take some pride in the fact that they won their game 10-5. The triples managed to keep up with the Rhydlewis Triples to the sixth end when it was 5-5 but then succumbed to pressure to lose 15-7 the rinks never got started and lost 14-2.
Bit of a maths problem here – “Bill lost the first ten ends; he had two ends to go and got nine!” Discuss! On the same night, Penrhiwllan went to Manordeifi only to return empty-handed – level pegging with their club-mates.
The League Table – Saturday 5th November - Week 7 of 26
Aberporth retain the lead, closely followed by Manordeifi and Rhydlewis and the Redcoats not far behind. Gaps are beginning to appear as the top five edge away from the next group of five, leaving three teams in the bottom section. On a week when the County Chairman is looking to the future for the League, there is not a lot of difference to previous years at this point. Although the top teams don’t have as many points at this stage as they did last year – so the other teams are playing better.
Next week the leaders travel up to Pencnwc whilst Rhydlewis come back in to play Llechryd.
Michael Martin, 05.11.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 31.10.2011 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Mydroilyn | 8 - 0 |
| 03.11.2011 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Aberporth | 4 - 4 |
| 03.11.2011 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Tygwydd | 4 - 4 |
| 03.11.2011 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Cilgerran | 6 - 2 |
| 04.11.2011 | Friday | Llechryd | Rhydlewis | 2 - 6 |
| 04.11.2011 | Friday | Manordeifi | Penrhiwllan | 8 - 0 |
| Dolphins | Bye |
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WC 7th November
Surprises abound
There were some surprising results last week as Dolphins dented the Champions' rush to reclaim the top spot. The current top two teams showed no remorse as they hit their opponents for eight whilst a resurgent Pencnwc nearly did the same to Llechryd.
Capel Dewi must have had high hopes when Llandygwydd visited them at the beginning of the week - being eight points clear at the time, but the visitors were having no qualms about trying to get the maximum points from their hosts. In the end, they got six and went away happy leaping up the table to sixth place in the process.
Top team Aberporth were at home to bottom team, Orllwyn, on Thursday, yet, as Paul Edwards commented, things didn’t start well for the home side. “Orllwyn started the singles, pairs and triples strongly and must have thought that they were on track for taking some points away with them, but this was not to be the case. Once Aberporth woke up, there was no holding them back and they took all 8 points comfortably. That said, there were some excellent ends where the visitors controlled the head well. Mention should also be made of how well Joseph played, as well as the new players who have joined the Orllwyn team. There is no doubt that, as they gain experience, they are sure to bring their team greater success in the future.”
Orllwyn must have been disappointed with the end result, even if they played so well – and other teams cannot be too complacent when facing them. Their local rivalry with club-mates Penrhiwllan were now resting on Cilgerran doing well on the same night.
In this instance, both teams were needing to gain points to ensure that they don’t lose touch with the rest and the resulting draw seemed fair to both. Penrhiwllan used to be one of the top teams and their play last week showed why, though it doesn’t explain why they find themselves in the bottom three placings. Jill and Nesta met each other in the singles and whilst it was a very even game – only Jill securing three ends with a two-wood hold – Nesta just could not get the points she needed to keep up. It was a 3-12 win for Jill, as her club colleagues, Maubrae and Dick, struggled against Derek and John on the other mat. In this pairs game it was even until the 4th end, with the visiting pair just ahead 3-4. However, then disaster struck Cilgerran as the home pair got the 5th and 6th ends with all four woods on each! Suddenly, a slim Cavalier lead turned into an impossible-looking 11-4 lead to their opponents! Despite some gallant play, the Cilgerran pair never recovered.
It was much the same in the triples where Mal, Jean and Pete commanded the game. I think it only fair to say that Daniel Phillips – the Cilgerran lead – played one of his best games to take command of the head most ends, but Jean found form to turn the tide into Penrhiwllan’s favour despite Gerry’s efforts. I took too long to get into my stride, and Pete was able to keep the home side in control.
It was left to the fours to provide the nail-biting end. An early lead by the home side was eroded by Cilgerran so that by the ninth end, it was level pegging at 7 all. At the end, with Penrhiwllan holding the shot, surrounded by Cilgerrans' woods, it was Kate Flinn who had the last wood. As we sat at the side wondering if she would twist her hand and shoot her wood off the edge, or not, she pulled off the shot of the game to dislodge the opponents' wood to secure the game and a draw for the match.
Meanwhile, further up north, another hopeful team, Pencnwc, welcomed Llechryd. Pencnwc found themselves three points behind Rhydlewis before the evening started, but knew that their rivals were playing Dolphins – so must have thought that they wouldn’t narrow the gap much, if at all. However, the Redcoats were on form (again) and secured seven of the points. As Pat reported, “Two close games, and two not-so-close games: Neil and Kenneth both won six ends each in their singles game, but Neil managed to score a couple more shots than Kenneth coming out the victor by 12 shots to 10. The pairs game was equally close, with both sides again winning six ends each. But this time the score was even with a 9-9 draw the eventual outcome.
"In the triples Lynda, Sue and Bob proved too strong for Enid, Margaret and Elaine, winning 16-2. The rinks saw a comeback by John's Pencnwc side, as they were down 1-5 after just four ends, but they eventually won 14-8. Alan and Pat both struggled last night, but fortunately Moira and John both had good games. The undoubted star of the rinks though, was Rosemary with her tiny little woods, getting in where other woods couldn't get! Both Rosemary and Pauline played really well for Llechryd. The evening ended well with a nice tea and an even nicer natter with our friends from Llechryd!”
Meanwhile, further south in Rhydlewis, the Dolphins put up a splendid performance against the champions (I nearly said “Former Champions”!!) Mike Trick’s team must be really satisfied with taking three points off Rhydlewis on their mats. This result leaves the Coachmen in a definite third place – shock horror!
Finally, on Friday, Manordeifi welcomed Mydroilyn and played well on their new, longer, mats to take all eight points off the visitors. The home side, probably realised that they needed to get more than five points to gain the second placing, so were more determined than their opponents, who appear to have gone off the boil.
The League Table – Saturday 12th November - Week 8 of 26
Aberporth and Manordeifi surge onward as Rhydlewis falter. The Redcoats are now close up to the former Champions, but meet Manordeifi next week – which should be a good game to watch. The Lions leap over a few teams, including their colleagues in Tygwydd who didn’t play last week.
Next week sees the Seasiders travel up to play with the Pussycats whilst Manordeifi try their luck with the Redcoats. Tygwydd re-enter the fray as they travel across to Capel Dewi who will probably seek to re-assert their strength at home welcome Capel Dewi who will probably seek to re-assert their strength. Llechryd are resting, so Dolphins will be hoping for lots from Orllwyn. Cilgerran travel over to the Coachmen – so no problem there, then!!
Webmaster's note: You will see from the fixture list, below, that Tygwydd are home to Capel Dewi this week, not away as stated in the report, above. Thanks to David Beattie for notifying us of the error.
Michael Martin, 12.11.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 07.11.2011 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Llandygwydd | 2 - 6 |
| 10.11.2011 | Thursday | Aberporth | Orllwyn | 8 - 0 |
| 10.11.2011 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Llechryd | 7 - 1 |
| 10.11.2011 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Dolphins | 5 - 3 |
| 10.11.2011 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Cilgerran | 4 - 4 |
| 11.11.2011 | Friday | Manordeifi | Mydroilyn | 8 - 0 |
| Tygwydd | Bye |
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WC 14th November
Rhydlewis Have Cilgerran Crumble As Pencnwc Eat Manordeifi Muffins For Tea
Whilst there were only a few changes in position last week, it was really a case of teams establishing themselves in now-familiar positions.
Aberporth and Mydroilyn were first onto the mats and the current leaders were taking no chances with a team that has shown some teeth this season. Tonight was not, however, going to be the time when the underdogs would have their wicked way. Jake and Gethyn played a repeat of the Under-21’s competition final – the previous Saturday – and despite Jake’s considerable skills, the result was the same as in that final – a win for Gethyn. It was a tight game and after eight ends it was a slight edge to Gethyn with the score 4–5 who was saving himself for a strong finish to win 6–9. Congratulations to both players for showing us some quality play.
In the pairs it was much the same, with both sides level on 6-all by the end of the eighth end. However Aberporth went on to win 7–12 – another strong finish from the established pair of Cory and Emyr.
In the triples game both sides played well, with neither side allowing the other to capitalise on leads. It was 4-3 for the home side at the fifth end, which increased to 8-5 with one end to go. “Here we go,” thinks I “Mydroilyn letting slip a lead right at the end!” However I was wrong and Aberporth weren’t able to get the 3 or 4 needed to secure more points.
Finally in the fours, the home team took a commanding lead and by the end of the fifth end it was 5-1 but then Mydroilyn handed their opponents a 4! It was still a tie, at 6-6, by the beginning of the last two ends. The visitors secured 3 for the ninth end which Mydroilyn could not get back. So the end result was six points to the visitors.
On Thursday it was Cilgerran’s turn to visit Rhydlewis, who were still smarting from dropping 3 to Dolphins the previous week. Was this signalling the end of Rhydlewis’s reign? In short – No.
Jill had her annus horribilus as Ceri mercilessly crowded out any chance she made and by the end she was glad to be off stage and huddled in a corner weeping. Still she was then able to witness the triples suffer much the same, so that was some consolation.
On the other mat, Gerry – who only turned up because Cilgerran were short and then found his name drawn out of the hat to play twice! – and Maubrae fought valiently to restrain the Rhydlewis pair and didn’t lose by much. The triples, as said, were also crowded out, despite some brilliant play by Daniel Phillips for Cilgerran, well supported by Margaret and not so well supported by their skip (ie me) they were no match for the Rhydlewis team.
The fours followed the same pattern, whenever a good wood was played, it was there only momentarily before the machine that is Rhydlewis swept in to destroy all before it!
Dolphins played Orllwyn on the same night, and the singles displayed a good come-back as Lester Kettle took a 6-1 lead before Mike Trick came back and the game ended 7-all. That, however, was the only point Dolphins were going to allow their visitors. The pairs was a very one-sided affair, whilst the other two games were much closer. End result was a 7-1 victory to the home side pushing them up two places in the league hot on the heals of the two Llandygwydd clubs.
A battle-royal was occurring up at Pencnwc when close rivals, Manordeifi came visiting. As Pat reports, “Well, they say all good things come to an end, and so it proved last night when Pencnwc's amazing unbeaten run came crashing down against a very good Manordeifi side.
"The singles and pairs were very one-sided affairs, with Neil going down 3-16 against Dai Thomas. Dai had so many touches that the marker ran out of chalk! Neil? Well Neil just could not find his length last night. The pairs was pretty much the same story with Gavin and Roy losing 5-11 to the very strong pairing of Catherine and Steve. Again the Pencnwc pair really struggled with their length, and can have had no excuses.
"So on to the triples and the rinks. Both games could have gone either way. Pat Reynolds ably led her triples to a 1-6 lead by the fifth end, but Bob's team fought back picking up a couple of 3s, and making it 7-8 going into the last end. Breaths were held and fingers crossed, and eventually Pencnwc picked up the two they needed to come out 9-8 winners. What a game!
In the rinks Pencnwc started very strongly picking up a 4 and a 5, but Manordeifi didn't let their heads go down, and they fought back admirably picking up a 1 here, a 2 there and then a 4, and the ninth end saw the score at 11-11. The last end saw Mike's four picking up 2 shots and so winning 11-13. Which just goes to show: hang on in there and never give up. So many congratulations to the Manordeifi team. Pencnwc must pick themselves up, dust themselves down, ready to receive Mydroilyn next week."
The other two games featured the two teams from Llandygwydd. The Llandygwydd team travelled across to Penrhiwllan. Form would indicate that Penrhiwllan would have a battle to score, but they surprised the visitors by taking five of the points on offer. Meanwhile, on Friday, Tygwydd were at home to Capel Dewi. Once again the form book was thrown out of the window as the home side took six of the points here. This left the Tygwydd team just one point behind their club colleagues.
The League Table – Saturday 19th November - Week 9 of 26
Results last week showed a definite gap appearing between third and fourth place. Pencnwc find themselves in a space of their own as they face Mydroilyn next week. (They’ll need a good umpire for that one!) Aberporth face Penrhiwllan whilst Manordeifi have a rest enabling Rhydlewis needing two points off Llandygwydd to hop into second place. However they’ll be aiming for more than that.
Orllwyn will hope that Capel Dewi’s star is in the descendent, whilst Cilgerran need to up their game to overcome the Dolphins. Llechryd come back to play – facing a buoyed up Tygwydd side.
Michael Martin, 19.11.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 15.11.2011 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Aberporth | 2 - 6 |
| 17.11.2011 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Cilgerran | 8 - 0 |
| 17.11.2011 | Thursday | Dolphins | Orllwyn | 7 - 1 |
| 17.11.2011 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Llandygwydd | 5 - 3 |
| 18.11.2011 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Manordeifi | 2 - 6 |
| 18.11.2011 | Friday | Tygwydd | Capel Dewi | 6 - 2 |
| Llechryd | Bye |
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WC 21st November
Redcoats Pile On The Pressure At The Top
Yet more juggling for position as we near the half-way stage. Pencnwc were able to capture all the points from Mydroilyn – despite Jake’s best efforts to upset the Redcoats – and so move into third place with Manordeifi who didn’t play. Orllwyn also suffered at the hands of Capel Dewi, who seem to have woken up.
There’s a battle royal between the two Llandygwydd teams as Tygwydd hop over their rivals for sixth place, but the top teams keep marching on.
Aberporth welcomed Penrhiwllan last week who seem to have found some of their old form back. Lower-placed teams taking points off the top teams is always good for morale and to take three points must have cheered up the visitors a lot. Must have made the Seasiders sit up a bit as well, as they can do nothing this next week to enhance their position. With rivals Rhydlewis just two points behind, and them playing Tygwydd next week, their hopes will be that the current form of the Tigers stays on track.
Meanwhile just behind the leaders, Rhydlewis took on Llandygwydd and grabbed a healthy six points from them in the process.
Then comes the battle for third place. Manordeifi could only sit and watch to see how Pencnwc and even Capel Dewi fared. As it happened, their worst fears materialised as both teams trumped up eight points over their opponents. In the first case, Pencnwc took on Mydroilyn, and as Pat, reliable as ever, says "After the disappointment of losing to Manordeifi last week, Pencnwc bounced back to gain all 8 points in their match against Mydroilyn last night.
"In the singles Jake gave Neil a real scare. Neil had gone into a 13-4 lead by the seventh end and to the eyes of the spectators, was cruising to victory. But Jake had other ideas, scoring 8 on the next four ends, leaving it 13-12 going into the last end. Tense stuff. At one stage Neil was heard to mutter "keep it on the mat you fool!!" Yes, Neil, that is the idea. The final end saw the umpire having to measure for the shot wood, which went to Neil. This turned out to be a really good game, with some good woods going down. Jake was singled out for praise in the after match speeches by both captains. This young lad is certainly one to watch.
"There was a reasonably easy victory for Pencnwc pairs, who won 16-3, and the triples, led by Bob, picked up two lots of 4s on their way to a 12-9 victory.
"The rinks turned out to be a game of two halves, with Pencnwc winning the first half, and Mydroilyn the second half. The only difference was that Pencnwc picked up more shots on their winning ends, coming out 11-5 winners.
"It was a lovely evening, played in a really good friendly spirit. That's why we enjoy this game so much. It was great to have a rare sighting of an umpire, and thanks must go to Michael for turning up despite not feeling very well. I hope we didn't make him feel any worse - the fact that he didn't stay for tea makes me think that maybe we did!"
No Pat it wasn’t the thoughts of Norma’s tea, it was the start of a period being helpless and unable to do things that made me feel worse.
Just one thought, as encouragement in a way to Mydroilyn’s triples team – with the final score in that game being 12-9, those two ends, where they dropped four each time, made all the difference to that game. As is so often the case, it is often just one or two bad ends that make it all go pear-shaped. I must not have been the only one to see Jake needing one to draw and two to win, AND holding three woods, with Neil holding just one wood left, to think "Hello, we have an upset on the cards here!" Credit to Neil though, despite all the pressure this brings, he kept his cool and secured his victory.
Mydroilyn weren’t the only ones to suffer a white-wash last week. Orllwyn, who started off in fairly high spirits this season, suffered once again – this time at the hands of Capel Dewi, who seem to have woken up from a period of..... well not quite sure of what! This seems to be a team who score an 8 and then go into hibernation, getting 2’s and 3’s before getting another 8. They now find themselves in limbo between the top group and the chasing group – never quite securing enough points to edge up to the leaders. Orllwyn however, are really suffering, even though reports on their play are very encouraging, they now find themselves very much holding up the League.
Then there is the tussle between the two Llandygwydd teams – this is very much closer as this week's results show. With the Lions getting only two points from Rhydlewis, the Tigers welcomed Llechryd hoping to catch up somewhat. Llechryd are another team that have seen better days – and no doubt will do so again – but were unable to capture much from this meeting which exceeded Tygwydd's dreams as they just chipped over the bar (the 'bar' being Llandygwydd's score) to nick the sixth place.
Finally Cilgerran welcomed the Dolphins for a game that was quite important to the home side. Results have not been kind to Cilgerran and they needed to grab some points, and this chance was presented to them in the form of Dolphins. With singles 'star' Jill away Christmas shopping (yes we are all hopeful) it was going to be yours truly to hold the baton, and I was looking forward to doing my best – a bit like the stand-in at a West End show. As Pat mentioned earlier, I began to feel unwell on Thursday and had to inform Kaptain Kate that I was going to be a no-show. Not that I have been playing particularly well this year (Diabolically would be nearer the truth) but imagine my delight to see that the team got a healthy five points off Dolphins. Well done the team – in particular, young Aaron who stepped into the Singles spotlight and secured a draw against Mike Trick. Maubrae and Rita won against former club-mate Eileen playing with Margaret, and the triples also won their game. Dolphin's fours led all the way in their game to win that. Cilgerran club seems to be a mix of over-sixties and under-twenties with not much in-between (Sorry Jeane – forgot about you!!) Fortunately the club have a healthy supply of talented youngsters, and I am hopeful that they will build the foundation for better results in the future.
The League Table – Saturday 26th November - Week 10 of 26
Results last week showed few changes, though with Aberporth resting next week, there could be an opportunity to see someone new at the top. However Pencnwc will have to overcome Rhydlewis on their mats for them to feature. Manordeifi re-enter the fray with a game at Llechryd who are off the boil, yet can spring a surprise when you least expect it!
Michael Martin, 26.11.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 24.11.2011 | Thursday | Aberporth | Penrhiwllan | 5 - 3 |
| 24.11.2011 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Capel Dewi | 0 - 8 |
| 24.11.2011 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Landygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| 24.11.2011 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Mydroilyn | 8 - 0 |
| 25.11.2011 | Friday | Tygwydd | Llechryd | 7 - 1 |
| 25.11.2011 | Friday | Cilgerran | Dolphins | 5 - 3 |
| Manordeifi | Bye |
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WC 28th November
Champions Nudge Their Way To The Top
This was a week of some surprising results. Mydroilyn started the week off with a 7-1 win over poorly Orllwyn whilst their clubmates, Penrhiwllan held a resurgent Pencnwc to a draw. Dolphins suffered a lapse of concentration against Llandygwydd, whilst their club-mates Tygwydd had a good result against Rhydlewis – who must have been hoping for better things, as their rivals, Aberporth, weren’t playing and they were only two points behind. Tygwydd were not in a giving mood however, with the incentive of keeping Llandygwydd below them.
Cilgerran had a total disaster when faced with a Capel Dewi side intent on not letting the leading group get too far out of touch, and finally Manordeifi must have been hoping for more than Llechryd were willing to hand over.
Pat Immins reported on their game at Penrhiwllan – a game which form indicates should have been a win for the visitors, but the hosts have started to recover their form – or perhaps they are getting to know their new mats? "A fair result I think, although Pencnwc will be thinking they could have won the triples too! Pam, Lynda and Bob limited Penrhiwllan to winning just 4 ends, but unfortunately on one of those ends they gave away 5 shots! 9-10 then to Pencnwc going into the last end, and the Penrhiwllan threesome of Mal, Jean and Peter picked up the two shots needed for them to win. This was a tense game with some good bowling from both sides.
"But to go back to the beginning and the singles: John Hill absolutely annihilated Neil - winning 23-2. Not sure what happened here - I think it was Neil's ghost playing! It was only his second loss of the season and we could only look on in amazement as shot after shot went astray. But fair play to John, who didn't let his concentration waver for a moment, and just kept on piling in the good woods. It was Pencnwc's turn to take the two points on offer in the pairs, with Moira and Roy playing really well to beat Jackie and Nesta 7-12. The fours were another very close match, like the triples, which could have gone either way. Penrhiwllan - ably skipped by Islwyn - shot into a 5-1 lead by the fifth end. But then Pencnwc pulled up their socks, concentrated a bit harder, and more importantly, started to find their line and length, coming out eventual winners 8-9, it is worth stating that Pencnwc only won 4 out of the 10 ends, a bit like Penrhiwllan in the triples. So yes, as I said at the beginning, a fair result. It's good to see Penrhiwllan back on to winning ways after their unusually poor start, and I wish them well for the rest of the season."
But not too well, eh Pat?
As I mentioned earlier, when Manordeifi travelled across the river to Llechryd, they must have been thinking of gaining a few points – more than 4 that is. Llechryd were having none of it and by the sound of it, they were lucky to have those 4, as Kenneth reported, "Out-of-form Llechryd took on in-form Manordeifi Friday night and finished up sharing the points. Kenneth played Dai in the singles, winning the first end and then not looking back, to win 17-5. In the pairs David and Bill lost it on the last end to Catherine and Steve 9-12.
"The ladies triples of Margaret, Enid and Elaine, charged into a 7 point lead in the first two ends and played very well to end the game 10-7 and as for the rinks, they went off into a 5 point lead then must have thought the game was over as they promptly fell asleep losing 7-14 on the night.
"Overall a sharing of the points was a fair result."
Once more, it’s not what has been said, but what wasn’t – it sounds as though the Manordeifi triples team played their hearts out to recoup the early lead, if there was a 7-point lead after two ends and then it ended 10-7! However the match was a terrific result for Llechryd.
Capel Dewi travelled along the valley to Cilgerran and must have been hoping for something for their troubles. I hope they also did the lottery that night, as everything they did – bowling-wise – seemed to work well for them.
Fresh from her personally arresting two illegal immigrants hiding under her seat on the coach from Belgium, Jill must have lost concentration. She had an early lead against Peter Flemming but allowed him to catch up and finally to secure the points. Capel Dewi have a strong pairs team and Maubrae and Rita knew they were up against it, but despite going into a depressing hole and getting hardly anything right, they picked up and staged a marvellous recovery. Sure they didn’t win, but if there had been a few more ends, they might have pulled off the game! The triples, when I was able to look, seemed to be doing well for Cilgerran, but the scoreboard told its own story – one that was replicated in the fours, where nothing seemed to be going right at all – I blame the skip!!
The League Table – Saturday 3rd December - Week 11 of 26
Apart from the Coachmen hopping over Aberporth, and Mydroilyn catching up with Dolphins, there was no change to positions this week. For once, this season, the top of the table is not so one-sided as it has been for a few years and five teams are still in the fight. Just as an aside, this time last year, Rhydlewis were twelve points clear at the top! Times are changing. Lady Luck is not smiling on the bottom two teams, who seem to be struggling a lot this year.
Next week the Pussycats will hope to repeat last weeks success against tougher cats – Tigers! Aberporth will be hoping to emulate Capel Dewi’s efforts with Cilgerran; there’s a derby-game in Penrhiwllan whilst a battle will rage as the Coachmen meet the Redcoats. A local game takes place as the Lions try out the Coracles and finally Manordeifi hope for better luck against the Dolphins. Capel Dewi can only watch and wait.
Michael Martin, 03.12.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 29.11.2011 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Orllwyn | 7 - 1 |
| 01.12.2011 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Pencnwc | 4 - 4 |
| 01.12.2011 | Thursday | Dolphins | Llandygwydd | 2 - 6 |
| 02.12.2011 | Friday | Cilgerran | Capel Dewi | 0 - 8 |
| 02.12.2011 | Friday | Llechryd | Manordeifi | 4 - 4 |
| 02.12.2011 | Friday | Tygwydd | Rhydlewis | 5 - 3 |
| Aberporth | Bye |
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WC 5th December
Top Of The Table Aberporth Freeze Out Cilgerran
Yet another week with surprising results. Once again Mydroilyn started the week off with a 7-1 win – only this time against sterner opposition, Tygwydd, fresh from their triumph the week before. The visitors must have thought of gaining a few points, despite the allegedly difficult floor – but to only gather one point must be hurting – especially as a few nights later, rivals Llandygwydd trumped Llechryd for all eight points, enabling them to leap over the Tigers into sixth place. Is this to be a repeat of last year, where the Lions took time to get to grips whilst the Tigers surged ahead and then the roles were reversed?
I don’t think that this is Cilgerran’s year, as once more they took nothing away from their game – this time it was Aberporth who were freezing their visitors out, in more ways than one. The village hall was freezing, with no heating on at all – "in case it affected the mats!" I’m sorry Aberporth, but when a side with quite a number of elderly people in it, are having to sit in jumpers and coats because of the cold, in order to keep the mats to your liking, things are getting a bit too serious.
Jill played well against Gethyn, keeping in touch for most of the game before the young man took command. The pairs of Cilgerran fought well against the experienced Aberporth duo and staged a mild come-back in the middle of the game before the home side re-established themselves.
In the Triples, the play was more even whilst the Fours went the home side's way fairly easily.
Over in Rhydlewis, it was Pencnwc’s turn to try and stem the flow of points, but unfortunately they were unable to do much, with Neil and Pat away, it was Lynda who sent in a match report.
"We set off to Rhydlewis on a really wet and cold night. Our cause wasn't helped tonight by the fact that four of our players were otherwise engaged in plays and panto's, but we turned up with ten players anyway. Bob and Ceri had a good battle in the singles, they were tied at 6-6 and then 9-9, and then Ceri managed to get the upper hand in the last few ends to win 14-9.
"Moira and Norma played the pairs and got off to a bit of a shaky start but then made a good comeback to eventually lose by only 4 shots - final score 14-10. Next up were the triples with Pam, Lynda & Roy against Mike Alan & Carwyn. Pencnwc got off to a good start in this game 6-1 up after 5 ends then we dropped a 4. Rhydlewis won the next 3 ends and the score was 7-7 going into the last end with Pencnwc picking up 3 shots to win 10-7.
"The fours of Alan, Pat, Gavin & John didn't do well to start with losing the first three ends and having an "end played, no score" on the fourth, we managed to catch up to 7-6 going into the last end but Rhydlewis made 2 shots to win by 8-6. A nice evening with good company and good food; looking forward to the return match."
In Penrhiwllan Village Hall, last Thursday, it was the first local ‘Derby’ game between Orllwyn and Penrhiwllan teams. Orllwyn did well at the start of the season, even being ahead, or level, with their more experienced rivals, but then Penrhiwllan began to get into their stride. Orllwyn managed to capture two points from this meeting.
Finally, on Friday night, Manordeifi hosted the Dolphins. Starting the night off level with Pencnwc in the League table, Manordeifi must have been hoping for a clutch of points from this game, but the Dolphins were having none of it! In the end, the visitors left holding six points and Steve’s team left wondering what had happened! However, all was not smiles for Dolphins in the end. Having succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, it turns out that whilst Manordeifi’s position in the League didn’t change, Dolphins actually dropped a place due to Mydroilyn’s 7-1 win earlier!
Funny old game.
The League Table – Saturday 10th December - Week 12 of 26
Quite a number of movements took place after last week’s results. However the top two teams are now breaking away from the chasing pack. With the middle of the table being so close, there will be a few more changes in the coming weeks, no doubt. Capel Dewi didn’t lose much in their rest week, as the two above them came to a slow-down.
Next week will mark the half-way point of the season and there are a few games that will be worth watching. I would like to see Orllwyn get a few points to keep up with Cilgerran, but they face Rhydlewis, who may not be full of the Christmas spirit.
Michael Martin, 03.12.2011
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 06.12.2011 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Tygwydd | 7 - 1 |
| 08.12.2011 | Thursday | Aberporth | Cilgerran | 8 - 0 |
| 08.12.2011 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Penrhiwllan | 2 - 6 |
| 08.12.2011 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Pencnwc | 6 - 2 |
| 08.12.2011 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Llechryd | 8 - 0 |
| 09.12.2011 | Friday | Manordeifi | Dolphins | 2 - 6 |
| Capel Dewi | Bye |
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WC 12th December
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 12.12.2011 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Aberporth | 2 - 6 |
| 15.12.2011 | Thursday | Dolphins | Llechryd | 6 - 2 |
| 15.12.2011 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Orllwyn | 8 - 0 |
| 15.12.2011 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Mydroilyn | 8 - 0 |
| 15.12.2011 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Tygwydd | 2 - 6 |
| 15.12.2011 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Manordeifi | 1 - 7 |
| Cilgerran | Bye |
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WC 2nd January
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 05.01.2012 | Thursday | Dolphins | Capel Dewi | 0 - 8 |
| 05.01.2012 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Mydroilyn | 8 - 0 |
| 05.01.2012 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Rhydlewis | Postponed |
| 07.01.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Orllwyn | Postponed |
| 06.01.2012 | Friday | Tygwydd | Aberporth | 2 - 6 |
| 06.01.2012 | Friday | Cilgerran | Manordeifi | 0 - 8 |
| Pencnwc | Bye |
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WC 9th January
Llechryd Rise To The Challenge
Normally at this time of year, the League games are beset by travel problems caused by the weather, but luckily, so far, no snow and ice have disrupted the play. The week produced two surprising results amongst a batch of games that came out much as expected.
The week began when Penrhiwllan travelled to neighbours Capel Dewi where many might expect a draw, and in a way that is the way it should have been. In the singles John Hills took the lead and was leading 3-7 half way through the game, but Peter Fleming clawed back that lead to be level at the 9th and finally taking the game 12-8. Only John will know why he allowed that to happen, but there is a consolation – we’ve all been there!
Capel Dewi were in total control in the pairs game, though the score shows that the Penrhiwllan pair were valiant in their efforts – losing 15-8. It was the triples game that produced Penrhiwllan’s win. However, yet again, they so nearly threw it away. Leading 4-11 on the 8th end, Capel Dewi scored six more in the last four ends making a very tense final end which resulted in a win for the visitors 10-11.
I have been asked not to say too much about the fours game – let’s just say that the home side won shall we?
On a lighter note, Mel (of Penrhiwllan) was asked to draw the first raffle ticket and drew out her own! Peter, obviously feeling this a bad omen, then asked me, as umpire and therefore totally impartial to who wins the raffle, to draw the second ticket. Jokingly I just read out my own ticket number, 449, but apparently I have to actually pick a ticket out of the basket! So I did – 449 (Umpires are always right).
Cilgerran travelled up to Mydroilyn on Tuesday feeling a bit down in the dumps from three games losing 8-0. The home side were also feeling a bit glum with two 8-0 defeats to look back on. However, to many, Mydroilyn had that extra edge – their floor! However it was not to be the home side’s night, but a fair share of the points as both Jill in the singles and the Cilgerran Triples grabbed victories.
It was neck-and-neck (in the nicest possible way) between Jill Howells and John Atkinson for half of their singles game, before Jill kept her ‘sensible hat’ on and edged ahead to take the first two points for Cilgerran since 25 November. On the other mat was another very close game, however it took Maubrae and Aaron too long to settle down to the whims of the wooden floor. By the time they were scoring, the number of ends ran out, allowing the home side to take the points.
Back to mat 1 for the Triples game and once more it was close for the first few ends, but during the middle of the game it was Cilgerran who took control for a successful conclusion.
The fours game was a convincing win for Mydroilyn, though the score was a little unfair as there were some close ends played. There wasn’t much for Umpire Bill to do in any of the games and by the way, I won a raffle prize there as well, so Cilgerran are all right for chocolates for a while (well two weeks I imagine if Aaron and Chris have anything to do with chocolate consumption).
Pencnwc travelled down the road to play Dolphins on Thursday and whilst you can never rule out Dolphins springing a few surprises, the result was true to form. Pat was on hand to send in this report.
"After a few days of having angry e-mails flashing across our computers it was nice to go to Dolphins and play a really friendly game of bowls. We received a warm welcome from everyone and the singles and pairs got underway. Bob showed no mercy to Mike once he'd found his line and length, beating him 5-14.
"The pairs was a much closer game, even-stevens for a while, until the pairing of Gavin and Neil pulled ahead 3-8 by the seventh end. The home pair of Margaret and Eileen got their act together and pulled back to 7-8 by the ninth end, but then they forgot themselves and allowed Pencnwc to get 7 shots on the last three ends so coming out 7-15 winners. The triples of John & June Matthews, ably skipped by Joyce won 6 out of the 10 ends against Lynda, Sue and Roy, coming out 11-7 winners. I only saw occasional glances of this game, but there seemed to be some excellent shots going in from both sides. Pencnwc's four, ably skipped by John, ran out 3-15 winners against Peter's four. But again, this wasn't as one-sided as the score suggests, and as Peter rightly said, "come on guys, let's make them work for it": we did - phew! It is always a pleasure to play Dolphins, whatever the score.
"Can I also mention how nice it was to have an umpire. Too rare a sight these days! We worked Jean really hard, particularly in the pairs and rinks. Thank you Jean."
Pat hits a few home truths here – "angry emails", "rarity of an umpire", "warm welcomes", what a mixture. I can tell you all, a real eye-opener is to watch a county game (let alone an international!) add into the mixture all the shouting and hand-slapping together with arguing the toss with the umpire – you ain’t seen nothing yet! (and I hope you won’t in our games)
Back to reality.
The first real shock of the week was that Llechryd took three points off the League leaders, Aberporth – Kenneth must be smiling all week! He even got a report in to tell us all about it.
"Llechryd took on the league leaders last night in which there were some very good bowls played.
"In the singles Kenneth took on Gethyn. Kenneth took the first end and then kept his nose in front until the 11th end when he dropped 3 going into the last end needing 2 to win. With the last bowl he managed to sneek it through the pack to pick up 3, so won 11-9.
"In the pairs David and Bill had a very exciting game to draw 10-10.
"In the triples it was a very welcome return to Peter Dyer who has been out all season with a poorly thumb, but after dropping 5 on the first end they were never going to recover against the Aberporth trio, end result was 6-10.
"In the rinks it was nip and tuck all game with Aberporth taking the game in the last end to win.
"Aberporth were a bit disappointed to be returning with only 5 points keeping their fingers crossed that games elsewhere went their way."
Thanks Kenneth – I always like his reports, because he always comes up with a mathematical conundrum. If Kenneth was keeping his “nose in front” how come he needed 2 to win on the last end?
Another thing that must surely be a real positive for the Llechryd Triples team – if they dropped 5 on the first end, but the result was 6-10, then the other nine ends was 6-5 to Llechryd – they must have played extremely well!
The other shock of the night was the derby-game between Llandygwydd and Tygwydd. Both of these two vie for their position in the League between themselves and twice a season they meet to determine this private battle. Tygwydd took six off Llandygwydd in September, and this time the roles were more than reversed as Llandygwydd took everything. Of course what Tygwydd lacked was a crutch and a new knee!! Welcome back Robert Breese, who apparently was only visiting as a spectator, but his Llandygwydd side were short so he hobbled on as lead in the fours and played as if he’d not been away!
Suddenly a great gap seems to have opened up between the two teams as Llandygwydd now sit thirteen points ahead of their club colleagues.
As for Aberporth hoping for other games going their way, well the 'top-of-the-table' clash took place the following night as Manordeifi took on Rhydlewis. I’ve no reports on what happened (come on you guys) but the result looks fair with the two teams sharing the points. This must have been the best result for Aberporth as neither of these two were able to encroach on their lead! Aberporth now sit six points clear! Can anyone catch them up? (Come on Cilgerran!)
Michael Martin, 14.01.2012
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 09.01.2012 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Penrhiwllan | 6 - 2 |
| 10.01.2012 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Cilgerran | 4 - 4 |
| 12.01.2012 | Thursday | Dolphins | Pencnwc | 2 - 6 |
| 12.01.2012 | Thursday | Manordeifi | Rhydlewis | 4 - 4 |
| 12.01.2012 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Tygwydd | 8 - 0 |
| 13.01.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Aberporth | 3 - 5 |
| Orllwyn | Bye |
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WC 16th January
Tight Battle For Supremacy
Another top-of-the-table game, resulted predictably in a draw, allowing the top two to edge further away. The top six teams are much closer this season than previously and whilst Llandygwydd didn’t play, they are not that much adrift of the others. Pencnwc edged up a bit with a six-point win against Tygwydd, whilst the Dolphins didn’t allow their club colleagues to have all the glory either. The two bottom teams, Orllwyn and Cilgerran, suffer yet again.
All the weeks games were played on Thursday and Friday. Pencnwc welcomed Tygwydd who were anxious to avoid the defeat of the previous week. The games were close, but apart from Darren’s game with Bob, the end results all went the way of the home side. Pat Immins sent in this report, with a couple of bits from me thrown in.
"Our first home match since 15th December and it was good to welcome David's team, Tygwydd, to Pencnwc. It was also a pleasure to have an umpire for the second week running and to welcome Michael. I think he only comes for the tea!
"In the singles (a very good place to start) Darren started off very well against Bob going into a 4-0 lead after just two ends. He then played well enough to keep his nose in front all the way through this match coming out a 9-11 winner at the end. Indeed it was so close, but Bob needed an excellent trick shot (or is that called ‘skill’?) on the last end to try and get a draw. Congratulations to Darren - Bob is not an easy player to beat.
"So to the pairs: After a brief discussion about the position of the mat initiated by our umpire after the first end, it was agreed that despite all our best efforts, the wall could not be moved, and both David Farmer and Jan Wallace were happy to continue with the game. Neil and Barry proved far too strong for Jan and David winning 21-1. The score did not reflect the excellent woods played often by Jan and David – but the luck wasn’t with them as their woods ended up deflecting the jack into the way of the opposition.
"I'll now move briefly onto the fours which Pencnwc won 11-4. Not too much to say about this game except that a great amount of chalk was used, and that young Gethyn Jones showed us what a great player he is going to be. He had a really good game getting the line and length spot on with his very first wood.
"I was sorry I couldn't watch the triples as it turned out to be one of those super matches neither side deserved to lose. Both sides won 5 ends each, but Pencnwc were behind all the way through, with Davina playing a really excellent skips game. It was 6-7 in Tygwydd's favour going into the last end, and unfortunately for Tygwydd, but fortunately for Pencnwc, the Reds played some good woods and got three shots, so coming out 9-7 winners in the end. Well done Roy! Hard luck Davina!
"The evening ended with a nice tea, a nice chat, David winning the wine in the raffle, then giving it back to be drawn again - Pam says 'thank you David!'"
Rhydlewis can be an awesome team to play against, especially when they are at home. To be bottom of the League and facing the task of overcoming them can be daunting, as Orllwyn found out on Thursday. The Champions took all the points on hand, sending their opponents home empty-handed.
There was a home-derby game at the seaside, also on Thursday, as Dolphins played club-mates Aberporth. Dolphins have been having a better season than last year and showed their improvement last week. Paul submitted this report for us.
"Dolphins welcomed Aberporth and, amazingly, managed to gain a home advantage that nearly cost Aberporth dear. How was this achieved? By playing 2 mats not normally used by Aberporth and, to add to the problem - playing one of them in a new position. The tactic worked for the first few ends of each game as the Aberporth players played the mats that they thought they knew, only to find that they had entirely different characteristics!
"In the singles, Mike Trick, for Dolphins gained a significant early lead that Aberporth's Gethyn Davies was simply unable to claw back. Even when Gethyn was on or near the jack, Mike regularly nudged his wood away, ending with a 2 or 3 wood advantage.
"In the pairs, it must be said that the Aberporth pair of Emyr Williams and Cory Williams were too strong for the Dolphins' Margaret Clarke and Eileen Bennett.
"The triples was a good game, with possession of the jack passing backwards and forwards, regularly. Aberporth's Rhian Williams, Winston Jones and Bill, Coombs managed to keep control of the game, despite the spirited play of June Matthews, John Matthews and Joyce Allen.
"The rinks was an altogether different matter. For several ends, there was nothing between the two sides. Unfortunately, as the game was nearing its conclusion, Aberporth's Owen Thomas, Bob Tomkins and Paul Edwards left the skips to bowl with Aberporth surrounding the jack. Peter Collison played a great shot to reduce the lead to 2, but a superbly judged shot from Aberporth's skip, Brian Lawrence, tapped the jack back into the middle of his team's woods, taking 6 shots. This proved to be the deciding end as, despite a great finish from Dolphins' John Allen, Alan George, Peter Whittaker and Peter Collison, they ended the game 2 down."
As a result, Aberporth now lead the League by four points, arch-rivals Rhydlewis creeping up on them – it’s actually looking as though the end of the season is going to be a close-run thing.
The final game from Thursday was the meeting between Penrhiwllan and Mydroilyn. On ‘paper’ the home side should have had a six from this, but Mydroilyn weren’t having any of that paper stuff and managed a draw.
Friday dawned – or rather ‘eved’ if such an expression could be made. Two games to play: that top-of-the-table clash between Manordeifi and Capel Dewi and an equally placed near-bottom clash.
With both teams looking to try and upset things at the summit, it seems only fair to share the points, but the net result of doing that only allows the top two to edge further away. This was the second week of a drawn result for Manordeifi.
Finally Llechryd welcomed Cilgerran. Both sides were still in a good mood from their previous weeks results, but Llechryd must have been happier. As Kenneth reports, "Cilgerran crossed over the Rubican last night and like their counterparts wished they had stayed at home as Llechryd put on a bowling display the likes of which has not been seen there all season so far.
"Kenneth took on Jill in the singles winning 14-4. David and Bill in the pairs also winning 13-7. The triples of Peter, Margaret and Elaine raced off to a 6 point lead before Chris, Michael and Aaron could muster up a reply final score 16-5. Finally the rinks woke up at long last from their season of hibernation to go on a scoring spree, winning 26-7."
Cilgerran crossed back over the bridge wondering just what had hit them, considering Llechryd are only a place above them in the league. Yes Kenneth, just one place and fifteen points!
One cannot argue about the end result, and Llechryd played magnificiently, but Jill had you level for half the game until a couple of close measures went against her and allowed you to edge ahead, whilst Maubrae and Rita in the pairs took too long to grasp the lay of the mat and give chase.
Kenneth also forgot to mention the tea – hot food!! And Cilgerran had two of the raffle prizes – so it wasn’t all bad news. The resulting eight-point gift lifts Llechryd up to tenth equal place with Penrhiwllan.
Michael Martin, 21.01.2012
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 19.01.2012 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Tygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| 19.01.2012 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Orllwyn | 8 - 0 |
| 19.01.2012 | Thursday | Dolphins | Aberporth | 2 - 6 |
| 19.01.2012 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Mydroilyn | 4 - 4 |
| 20.01.2012 | Friday | Manordeifi | Capel Dewi | 4 - 4 |
| 20.01.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Cilgerran | 8 - 0 |
| Llandygwydd | Bye |
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WC 23rd January
Capel Dewi Will Go To The Ball
Whilst last year's 'Prince Charmings' regained the top spot, along with Aberporth, the Ugly Sisters from Capel Dewi made sure that Rhydlewis were made fully aware of the potential of this eastern enclave of short-mat bowls in Ceredigion, by trouncing them with a 6-2 win. It was only the playing of the previously postponed game against Rhydlewis that allowed Rhydlewis to catch up with their rivals – to the detriment of Penrhiwllan.
The Genies of Aberporth, meanwhile, were fighting off Alladin from Llandygwydd who despite rubbing their lamps as hard as they could, had a similar result. Bearing in mind Barron Butterfinch's Llechryd's performance against Cilgerran last week, Mystical Mydroilyn performed excellently against them this week – grabbing another six points here.
The Princess and escorts of Cilgerran Castle tried to overcome the jinx that seems to have beset them, when they went up to Pencnwc Palace to face the Palace Guards who are flying along these days, but, as Queen Patricia the Omnificent reported, the Redcoats weren't having things all their way.
"Whilst Michael was deserting his team in order to work the lights at Cilgerran's pantomime (isn't the end of January too late for panto? oh no it isn't!) Kate and her team were very, very close to getting all 8 points off Pencnwc. What a night this was!
"It was amazing that this game actually took place at all as the Pencnwc Park decided this was the week to decorate. Pencnwc had to abandon their practice night (our only lame excuse) and the go-ahead for the game was only given about 5 hours before the event. So, with everyone avoiding the walls, and strict instructions not to damage the skirting boards (immediately ignored by Bob who hit them twice!) the match went ahead as scheduled.
"Cilgerran arrived two short, so Pat helped their cause by pulling out Jill and Aaron to play twice!
"Jill was ahead throughout her game against Bob until the 10th end, when Bob drew level and went on to win by the narrowest of margins 11-10. This was a superb game of bowls and Jill really didn't deserve to lose. The same could be said for the pairs with Barry and Neil coming out winners by the same score (11-10) against Maubrae and Aaron. Pencnwc were down 9-10 going into the last end and with everyone watching with bated breath (Pat was heard to mutter it was a bit like watching Stevie G. taking a penalty against Man City the other night) Pencnwc got the two needed to win. Again, a fantastic game of bowls. Cilgerran's triples, ably skipped by Chris, won six out of the ten ends, and won, quite easily in the end, 6-11. Pencnwc were comfortably ahead until the eighth end when they dropped a 5. The rinks went Pencnwc's way with John's four winning fairly comfortably 12-9 against Kate's four. I say fairly, but again, Pencnwc dropped a 6 (very nearly a 7) on the fifth end, but they pulled back the 3-9 deficit with some tight bowling.
"A lovely evening, a lovely tea, some great bowling, and for Pencnwc a satisfying 6 points Watching all the games it is beyond me how Cilgerran are languishing near the bottom of the table. They were a class act last night, playing really good bowls, and I sincerely wish them a decent run-in for the rest of the season."
I can just imagine everyone watching with bated breath – was that before tea I wonder? Good trick that Kate, putting Jill's and Aaron's names on all the bits of paper!!!
Menacing Manordeifi (cue for hisses and boos) were not going to worry about anyone 'languishing near the bottom' when they visited Orllwyn on Thursday. They came for eight points and gleefully took them away with them. The Penrhiwllan club then suffered another set-back when the other club’s team played their earlier postponed game against Rhydlewis, so it wasn’t a good week all round – in fact it was quite weak! A fortnight even (too weak)!
The Trumpeters of Tygwydd were silent last week as their game against the Dejected of Dolphins was postponed, mainly due to many of the Tygwydd team ploughing through a feast of elegant food!
Michael Martin, 28.01.2012
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 23.01.2012 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Rhydlewis | 6 - 2 |
| 24.01.2012 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Llechryd | 6 - 2 |
| 25.01.2012 | Wenesday | Penrhiwllan | Rhydlewis | 0 - 8 |
| 26.01.2012 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Manordeifi | 0 - 8 |
| 26.01.2012 | Thursday | Aberporth | Llandygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| 27.01.2012 | Friday | Tygwydd | Dolphins | Postponed |
| 27.01.2012 | Friday | Pencnwc | Cilgerran | 6 - 2 |
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WC 30th January
Everyone Shares The Spoils – Penrhiwllan More Than Most
For the first time since October, there was no 8-0 result which spread the cheer around all the clubs last week with the exception of Mydroilyn, who didn’t play at all. However it was Penrhiwllan who stole the headlines as they visited Dolphins and took away six points, which a few seasons ago would not have been at all unusual, but this season?
Llechryd, playing twice last week, started off by travelling east to Capel Dewi. Kenneth didn’t report on his sides performance against Peter’s Persistent Players, where they gained three points, only mentioning how they did when they won against Orllwyn later in the week. You can still send in a report Kenneth, even if you didn’t win! Llechryd’s performance was a good one, though as getting three points off Capel Dewi, at their home, is a good sign of things well done.
Four games took place on Thursday. Pencnwc also had to travel, only this time south, in the cold, to Llandygwydd village hall, to take on Llandygwydd. Both of these teams can turn up the pressure, though Pencnwc have been more consistent this season. In the end though, a draw was the result. As usual Pat the Pen-pusher turned in one of her excellent reports.
"Pencnwc travelled to Llandygwydd on Thursday evening warmly wrapped against the cold, and received a warm welcome from them. Pencnwc always seem to have trouble with the mats in Llandygwydd, and so it proved this time, with the exception maybe of John and Neil.
"Meurig and John kept even pace with each other in the singles until the 7th end when John found his form and surged ahead to win comfortably in the end by 9 shots to 15.
"The pairs was a very close game with Iestyn and John Davies taking on Gavin and Neil. It was 9-9 going into the last end and John tried to take the jack into the ditch with his last wood to make it safe, missing by a fraction. Pencnwc were still 2/3 shots down, though, but Neil had one more wood to go. He drew a perfect drawing shot to enable Pencnwc to take the game 9-10.
"Llandygwydd's triples of Goronwy, Gareth and Chris completely outplayed Pencnwc's triples of Moira, Norma and Lynda and ran out comfortable winners 14-4.
"The fours was a much closer affair with Pencnwc winning 6 out of the 10 ends. Unfortunately on the ends they lost they dropped two 4s, a 3 and a single, and Llandygwydd won by 12 shots to 10, with Pencnwc's skip, Roy, tearing his hair out in frustration. Which just proves something - not sure what it is, but I'm sure it proves something! Lack of concentration maybe? It was nice to see David Beattie there who had popped in to support Llandygwydd (maybe that's what went wrong!), and who was on hand to support young Gavin who was worried about his car (his pride and joy) freezing up in the very cold weather. Thank you David."
So no bated breath this week then! Pat asked me to make sure that she had spelt some of the Llandygwydd players names correctly, which she had. Of course I would expect no less from someone so omnificent!
On the same evening, Cilgerran and Orllwyn met for the battle of all battles to see who was likely to obtain this year’s wooden spoon award. Both teams have been suffering of late with 8-0 defeats and the end result of a draw was the best for both clubs. However for a while it was looking like it was going to be Orllwyn’s night.
In the singles Joseph Dowling was put up against Jill Howells and he took command of the play. Although not far behind, Jill was always trying to catch up the young player. In the end some of Jill’s more wilder efforts came to the fore and Joseph ran out the 11-7 winner. 2 points to Orllwyn.
On the other mat things were a bit closer until the tenth end when the Orllwyn pair grabbed all four woods and Cilgerran never overcame that deficit. 4 points to Orllwyn.
The triples and fours of Cilgerran were now wondering if their season was totally jinxed but they set off determined to salvage something and salvage they did. In the triples the Cilgerran three took command of the game and Lester and his chums were never able to overcome the situations they found themselves in. 2 points to Cilgerran.
Finally there was the fours and this was turning into a right royal battle. By the time the triples had ended, we were able to witness the fours game creep to a 9-all on the 9th end. With the Cilgerran spectators crossing their fingers and everything else (well it was cold that night) we waited as Kaptain Kate got on to the mat with her last wood so see if she could capture the head, fearing that her second wood would just roll off the edge, or hit the block, she kept her calm and put in the perfect wood to clinch the game.
I don’t know anything about the Dolphins v Penrhiwllan game, other than the score. Bearing in mind their performance this season, this was a very good result for the visitors. Dolphins colleagues were playing on the same night, away to their arch-rivals for the title. Starting off the evening, level on points in first equal place, it was always going to be a close game for any spectators. In the end Aberporth would probably claim that it was the mats what did it! Rhydlewis were able to retain six of the points on offer which meant that they broke into the hundred point mark.
Friday left two games to play as one of January’s postponed games was played in Llechryd, against Orllwyn. On their own mats, Llechryd can be a formidable force and so it turned out, though credit to Orllwyn – at least they got two points (unlike some I can mention, well one!). Kenneth sent in this report on the game:
"Llechryd played hosts to Orllwyn Friday evening. In the Singles Kenneth played Joseph Dowling (Which is a young lad to be watched in the future) in a very tight game, the end result was 13-7 to Kenneth.
"Bill and David took on the Orllwyn pair just managing to cross the line 9-8.
"The triples was a very good result for Orllwyn as it gave them their only 2 points of the evening, winning 12-5.
"The rinks of Llechryd notched up their second win of the week as this was a rearranged match, David, Rosemary, Pauline and Geoff played very well to win 9-3. with only 12 points scored in 10 ends the game could have gone either way, but happily it went Llechryd’s way to give them a 6-2 win on the night."
Orllwyn had only played the night before, so I wonder if Lester changed the triples? If not how come we beat them as we did, but got a thrashing from Llechryd a couple of weeks ago? It’s a funny old game.
Finally, Manordeifi invited Tygwydd around to play. Manordeifi are in a very good place to challenge for second place – which I believe would be their best ever position. So were determined to get as much as they could off Tygwydd who cannot be ignored for springing a few surprises. I don’t know any details, but the home side took six points.
Michael Martin, 04.02.2012
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Result |
| 30.01.2012 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Llechryd | 5 - 3 |
| 02.02.2012 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Aberporth | 6 - 2 |
| 02.02.2012 | Thursday | Dolphins | Penrhiwllan | 2 - 6 |
| 02.02.2012 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Pencnwc | 4 - 4 |
| 02.02.2012 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Cilgerran | 4 - 4 |
| 03.02.2012 | Friday | Manordeifi | Tygwydd | 6 - 2 |
| 03.02.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Orllwyn | 6 - 2 |
| Mydroilyn | Bye |
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WC 6th February
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Umpire |
| 09.02.2012 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Capel Dewi | Bill Coombs |
| 09.02.2012 | Thursday | Dolphins | Mydroilyn | Bob Tomkins |
| 09.02.2012 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Llandygwydd | |
| 10.02.2012 | Friday | Manordeifi | Aberporth | Peter Fleming |
| 10.02.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Penrhiwllan | |
| 10.02.2012 | Friday | Cilgerran | Tygwydd | Robert Evans |
| Rhydlewis | Bye |
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WC 13th February
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Umpire |
| 14.02.2012 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Capel Dewi | Bill Coombs |
| 16.02.2012 | Thursday | Aberporth | Pencnwc | Jan Wallace |
| 16.02.2012 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Llechryd | Michael Martin |
| 16.02.2012 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Manordeifi | |
| 17.02.2012 | Friday | Tygwydd | Orllwyn | Peter Fleming |
| 17.02.2012 | Friday | Cilgerran | Llandygwydd | Bob Tomkins |
| Dolphins | Bye |
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WC 20th February
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Umpire |
| 21.02.2012 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Manordeifi | Paul Edwards |
| 23.02.2012 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Aberporth | |
| 23.02.2012 | Thursday | Dolphins | Rhydlewis | Jean Jones |
| 23.02.2012 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Capel Dewi | |
| 24.02.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Pencnwc | Jan Wallace |
| 24.02.2012 | Friday | Cilgerran | Penrhiwllan | Bob Tomkins |
| Tygwydd | Bye |
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WC 27th February
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Umpire |
| 27.02.2012 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Tygwydd | Paul Edwards |
| 01.03.2012 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Penrhiwllan | Michael Martin |
| 01.03.2012 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Dolphins | Robert Evans |
| 01.03.2012 | Thursday | Aberporth | Mydroilin | |
| 02.03.2012 | Friday | Manordeifi | Pencnwc | |
| 02.03.2012 | Friday | Cilgerran | Rhydlewis | Bob Tomkins |
| Llechryd | Bye |
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WC 5th March
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Umpire |
| 05.03.2012 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Orllwyn | Michael Martin |
| 06.03.2012 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Pencnwc | Robert Evans |
| 08.03.2012 | Thursday | Dolphins | Cilgerran | Jan Wallace |
| 08.03.2012 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Aberporth | |
| 08.03.2012 | Thursday | Llandygwydd | Rhydlewis | |
| 09.03.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Tygwydd | Peter Fleming |
| Manordeifi | Bye |
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WC 14th March
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Umpire |
| 12.03.2012 | Monday | Capel Dewi | Cilgerran | Jean Jones |
| 15.03.2012 | Thursday | Rhydlewis | Tygwydd | Michael Martin |
| 15.03.2012 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Mydroilyn | Paul Edwards |
| 15.03.2012 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Penrhiwllan | Bob Tomkins |
| 15.03.2012 | Thursday | Landygwydd | Dolphins | |
| 16.03.2012 | Friday | Manordeifi | Llechryd | Jan Wallace |
| Aberporth | Bye |
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WC 19th March
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Umpire |
| 22.03.2012 | Thursday | Dolphins | Manordeifi | Michael Martin |
| 22.03.2012 | Thursday | Pencnwc | Rhydlewis | Bill Coombs |
| 22.03.2012 | Thursday | Penrhiwllan | Orllwyn | Paul Edwards |
| 23.03.2012 | Friday | Tygwydd | Mydroilyn | Robert Evans |
| 23.03.2012 | Friday | Cilgerran | Aberporth | Peter Fleming |
| 23.03.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Llandygwydd | Jean Jones |
| Capel Dewi | Bye |
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WC 26th March
| Date | Day | Home team | Away team | Umpire |
| 27.03.2012 | Tuesday | Mydroilyn | Rhydlewis | Bill Coombs |
| 29.03.2012 | Thursday | Aberporth | Capel Dewi | Michael Martin |
| 29.03.2012 | Thursday | Orllwyn | Pencnwc | Robert Evans |
| 30.03.2012 | Friday | Llechryd | Dolphins | Bob Tomkins |
| 30.03.2012 | Friday | Tygwydd | Penrhiwllan | Paul Edwards |
| 30.03.2012 | Friday | Manordeifi | Llandygwydd | Peter Fleming |
| Cilgerran | Bye |
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