League

League table for 2009/2010 season

Table updated Saturday, 06-Mar-2010 18:24:18 GMT
Team name P W D L P+ P- Diff
Aberporth 21 19 1 1 135 33 +102
Rhydlewis 21 15 4 2 125 43 +82
Llandygwydd 21 12 4 5 99 69 +30
Manordeifi 22 10 6 6 99 77 +22
Dolphins 22 9 6 7 98 78 +20
Pencnwc 20 8 8 4 89 71 +18
Capel Dewi 21 7 6 8 86 82 +4
Penrhiwllan 20 7 6 7 83 77 +6
Llechryd 20 9 1 10 78 82 -4
Tygwydd 20 5 5 10 70 90 -20
Mydroilyn 20 2 3 15 39 121 -82
Orllwyn 20 2 2 16 37 123 -86
Cilgerran 20 3 0 17 34 126 -92

 

NB:
  • Currently, league position is based on points for (P+)
  • Teams with one or more games in hand are shown above those with equal points
  • Teams on equal games and points 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 results, click here

League fixtures and results and reports for 2009/2010 season

WC 14th September

Llandygwydd settle an old score whilst Aberporth falter

The first weeks’games didn’t provide any great shocks, though one was narrowly avoided in the Aberporth v Tygwydd game. The Tygwydd triples ably led by Davina Muir and supported by the two Davids – Farmer and Beattie – won their game convincingly all the way, whilst on the other mat the Fours had Aberporth on the run until the last few ends – a late score of 4 unsettling the visitors. The Tygwydd pair of new-boy Bruce Wilson and old-hand Islwyn Griffiths put up a noble fight against the very experienced pair of Emyr Williams and Cory Williams. Even when the Tigers put in a good shot, experience came to the fore to deny them the points. In the singles Darren Davies had Paul Edwards on the run with Paul needing a 3 to draw at the final end. Even he didn’t plan on his shot going wide but just a glance off one of his other woods, tipping it over, got him the draw he craved. 5-3 to the home team – but I think the Seasiders will be putting in some extra practice before their next game.

The Lions of Llandygwydd travelled up to Mydroilyn with nightmarish memories of their last game of last season still vivid. They pulled out all the stops though to reverse the score taking six points off the home team, who have high hopes of a better placing this year.

Elsewhere there was a game that would normally be thought of as a top-leaguer game, with Rhydlewis playing host to Penrhillan. However the visitors only managed to get two points. I seem to remember the Cannons starting late last year, so other teams should not count on this result too much! The Coachmen will be encouraged to see that their form looks good to retain their title.

Penrhiwllan Club’s other team, Orllwyn, did have a good start winning six points off the Coraclemen from Llechrydd. John Davies will be proud of his team.

The very first game of the season saw the Dolphins visit Capel Dewi with a draw as the result – playing very steady, both teams. Either that or being very wary!

Finally on Friday, Manordeifi played host to neighbours Cilgerran and put in a magnificent set of games to capture all eight points. Only the Quarrymen’s pairs put up a strong defence, eventually losing by two, the rest succumbed to an onslaught of good woods from the home team.

Next weeks games will be a settling down time for the teams. Aberporth will be resting whilst Pencnwc will play their first game, against Penrhiwllan. The redcoats will be at a disadvantage as they are unable to practice until their venue becomes available to them. Cilgerran will hope for better things as they play at home against Capel Dewi.

Michael Martin - 20.09.2009

 

Date Day Home team Away team Result
14.09.2009 Monday Capel Dewi Dolphins 4 - 4
15.09.2009 Tuesday Mydroilyn Llandygwydd 2 - 6
17.09.2009 Thursday Rhydlewis Penrhiwllan 6 - 2
17.09.2009 Thursday Orllwyn Llechryd 6 - 2
17.09.2009 Thursday Aberporth Tygwydd 5 - 3
18.09.2009 Friday Manordeifi Cilgerran 8 - 0
Pencnwc Bye

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WC 21st September

Date Day Home team Away team Result
22.09.2009 Tuesday Mydroilyn Orllwyn 8 - 0
24.09.2009 Thursday Penrhiwllan Pencnwc 7 - 1
24.09.2009 Thursday Dolphins Llandygwydd 6 - 2
25.09.2009 Friday Cilgerran Capel Dewi 1 - 7
25.09.2009 Friday Llechryd Manordeifi 3 - 5
25.09.2009 Friday Tygwydd Rhydlewis 4 - 4
Aberporth Bye

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WC 28th September

Black Thursday for many as Big Teams Grab the Points

This was a week in which three teams with ambition grabbed all they could from their unfortunate opponents. Aberporth, Penrhiwllan and Rhydlewis all took maximum points leaving other teams reeling from the shock – notably Orllwyn suffering their second successive whitewash.

Briefly I must include games played the week before, as well as those last week.

Mydroilyn got off to a flying start by trouncing Orllwyn for all eight points. Perhaps the umpire took note as he then returned last week with Tygwydd Tigers and ensured that they got as much as they could. Had he not been looking at everyone elses woods, to ensure that they all had the proper stickers on, he might have spotted his own! Some very tight games here with the singles being close until the final two ends. The rinks looked like going the home team’s way, but a determined effort saw the visitors snatch a draw. A 5 – 3 result for Tygwydd there.

Orllwyn are getting the rough end of the stick at the moment, as they faced their colleagues, Pehrhiwllan, and got taken for another 8 – 0 defeat following their demise against Mydroilyn the previous week. Lester was unable to make any impression on Richard Bartlett and the pairs and fours went the same way. Only the triples had any success – with a draw going into the final end. But Peter’s dream was dashed – it cannot really be the fault of the umpire, can it? A case of Blue Peter, I think.

There seems to be a determination about Penrhiwllan – even Jean Jones wanted a measure on one end, having got six woods already! Come on Jean – that’s greedy!

Another team determined to succeed over all others is Llandygwydd who added misery to Llechryd’s woes as they defeated them 7 – 1, whilst on the same night Rhydlewis were showing Pencnwc how things are done. Perhaps it was the shock of drawing with Tygwydd the previous week that woke the Coachmen up. In all fairness the Redcoats haven’t had much practice time yet.

Meanwhile down at the seaside, Aberporth were hosting Cilgerran who have not had the best of starts this year. The singles was a good tussle, with the visitors' player stealing the jack away on several ends.  It was all to play for going in to the last end, with Cilgerran needing 2.  The home player was holding 1 with a wood in hand, so elected to take the point ending the game - I know what you’re thinking, harsh. Where’s the fun in that?

The pairs and triples were much more one way affairs, despite some excellent play from Cilgerran.  Aberporth took the games 18 – 5 and 18 - 6.

The fours was much more of a contest with the Quarrymen pulling back early losses to be 11-all going into the final end. Their luck ran out though, leaving the Seasiders with all eight points.

Finally, on Friday, Manordeifi were hoping for greater things when they entertained Dolphins, but the visitors were still on a high from taking most points off the Lions the previous week. In the end everyone had to settle for a draw.

Michael Martin - 03.10.2009

 

Date Day Home team Away team Result
29.09.2009 Tuesday Mydroilyn Tygwydd 3 - 5
01.10.2009 Thursday Aberporth Cilgerran 8 - 0
01.10.2009 Thursday Orllwyn Penrhiwllan 0 - 8
01.10.2009 Thursday Rhydlewis Pencnwc 8 - 0
01.10.2009 Thursday Llandygwydd Llechryd 7 - 1
02.10.2009 Friday Manordeifi Dolphins 4 - 4
Capel Dewi Bye

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WC 5th October

The Big Teams keep Grabbing the Points

It was another week where the main contenders for this seasons’ title grabbed maximum points – only the Llandygwydd / Manordeifi match shared the spoils.

Aberporth travelled east to play at Capel Dewi. Many say that the mats there give a distinct home advantage, but it didn’t show last Monday.

The singles went smoothly for Aberporth, once the visiting bowler settled to the mat, ending 19-7 in his favour. Aberporths' pairs were equally strong and steamed to a resounding 18-3 victory.

Capel Dewi faired better with their triples, giving the visitors a good match. Unfortunately, they dropped a 5 on the 8th end and had to watch the game continue to slip away from them, losing  13-4.

The rinks was the tightest of the games, with the visitors rarely more than a point or two ahead. Aberporth managed to open up a 4 point lead going in to the last end and, keeping their collective nerve, went on to win 13-7.

Mixed fortunes were had at Aberporth village hall, when Dolphins entertained Llechryd. Dolphins were probably hoping for a better result, given the visitors' recent form, but the plucky Coraclemen secured a valuable three points.

Another team suffering at the moment are Orllwyn, they travelled north to Pencnwc with the home side hoping to boost their points tally. Once again, though, both teams had to settle for an even share of the points.

Ever aware that other teams are anxious to topple the champions of last year, Rhydlewis played host to Mydroilyn, who are having a better time of it of late. Last Thursday brought them back to Earth with a bump as they lost all four games enabling the Coachmen to just keep their top position in the league, ahead of the Seasiders who have played one less game.

In the Penrhiwllan vs Tygwydd game, it was a hard-fought singles tussle between Darren Davies and Richard Bartlett with the scores even at half-way. However Richard gradually pulled away, leaving Darren needing all four to get a draw at the end – an impossible task. Richard once again showing his deadly accurate skills.

In the pairs it was a one-horse race, whilst the Tigers triples put up an incredible fight, pulling back from the edge and holding a winning three with only Islywn Nash’s last shot to come. He ended up a happy man whereas the visitors were left gasping with disbelief.

The rinks looked like being a closer match than it transpired, with the visitors grabbing three on the first end. This woke up the home players who then took over the running of play. Tygwydd needed five to catch the game, but it was not to be. Instead Jean, ever hungry for points, asked for all eight! Yes, EIGHT. Unfortunately for yours truly, I had to agree – she didn’t even ask for a measure! She didn’t have to.

Manordeifi visited Llandygwydd on Thursday evening hoping for a better result than last year's 8-0 defeat and for the first half of the evening it looked like the home team were going for a repeat performance with both the singles and pairs going against the visitors. Luckily for Manordeifi, the second half of the evening proved more successful with the triples and rinks going their way resulting in a draw.

The only surprise in last week's results, is that there were so many 8 – 0 wins again, quite a surprise that both Capel Dewi and Tygwydd got nothing. As can be seen there appears to be a gap opening up, even at this early stage – dividing the league into two distinct parts. Will this continue? Have we got two divisions by default?

Michael Martin - 11.10.2009

 

Date Day Home team Away team Result
05.10.2009 Monday Capel Dewi Aberporth 0 - 8
08.10.2009 Thursday Dolphins Llechryd 5 - 3
08.10.2009 Thursday Pencnwc Orllwyn 4 - 4
08.10.2009 Thursday Rhydlewis Mydroilyn 8 - 0
08.10.2009 Thursday Penrhiwllan Tygwydd 8 - 0
08.10.2009 Thursday Llandygwydd Manordeifi 4 - 4
Cigerran Bye

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WC 12th October

Good results for Capel Dewi, Mydroilyn and Orllwyn

Capel Dewi produced the greatest shock of the week when they welcomed Manordeifi to their club. As Manordeifi’s Catherine said “Ever had a bad day at the office?” Well Manordeifi certainly did on Monday when they travelled all that way to return with only one point from a drawn Singles game. The other three games just went the home side's way - every wick; roll of the wood; flick of the jack - not to mention great team spirit; ensured victory for the home team, leaving a very dejected Manordeifi heading back across the border. With the Abercych side ever hopeful of a stab at the title, they cannot afford to lose games like this. All credit to the dewi-eyed though, after their recent humbling from the Seasiders, they recovered well.

The Mydroilyn v Penrhiwllan game also produced a surprise draw which indicates how much the Dragons have come on this season and how the Cannons need to up their game if they’re to gain the title. Admittedly most of Mydroilyn’s points have come from home games, as they have only played once away – and lost that heavily to Rhydlewis who coincidentally could only manage a draw against Orllwyn last Thursday another real surprise of the week.

Orllwyn’s recent form must have had the Coachmen thinking of a points bonanza when they travelled across to Penrhiwllan but it was not to be. This leaves the champions clinging on to pole position with the two real challengers breathing down their necks. Unfortunately for the Penrhiwllan team, they don’t play this week, leaving Aberporth, visiting Llandygwydd, as the team most likely to do them damage

The home derby, Aberporth v Dolphins, game was a tightly fought contest with the result giving the impression that Aberporth overawed their club-mates, but the play did not show that at all. In many other clubs, they would have run out of chalk as both teams constantly moved the jack around. However in the end it was normally Aberporth who took the points, except in the rinks when the Dolphins four led for much of the game and held off the late challenge to win their valued two points, however this marked the end of a run of eleven games for the Dolphins without defeat.

Finally the game between two of the bottom-of-the-League clubs, Llechryd and Cilgerran, was switched and the Coraclemen (and women) travelled across the river to grab a valuable six points off their luckless foes. These are challenging times for Cilgerran who have some strong individuals in their team, but don’t quite seem to be putting it together at the moment. But if Orllwyn can do it....

The Tygwydd v Pencnwc game was postponed until Monday evening.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY 17th October – Week 5

The surprises last week were when some of the lower teams inflicted damage on title-contender opposition. Aberporth, meanwhile, keep marching on, with the Lions hoping to stem the flow of points this week.

The gap in the League table has moved up, with three teams breaking away, but anything can happen, especially as Penrhiwllan won’t play this week. Both the Tigers and the Redcoats will play twice this week – that’s a possible 16 points they’ll be gunning for – but I don’t think the Dolphins are going to be scared by a few Tigers!

Michael Martin - 17.10.2009

 

Date Day Home team Away team Result
12.10.2009 Monday Capel Dewi Manordeifi 7 - 1
13.10.2009 Tuesday Mydroilyn Penrhiwllan 4 - 4
15.10.2009 Thursday Aberporth Dolphins 6 - 2
15.10.2009 Thursday Orllwyn Rhydlewis 4 - 4
16.10.2009 Friday Cilgerran Llechryd 2 - 6
Llandygwydd Bye

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WC 19th October

Llechryd get out of the rut as Cilgerran stumble

A game that was re-arranged from the previous week, between Tygwydd and Pencnwc, was played on Monday and resulted in a comfortable win for the home team. Despite some re-shuffling of the Redcoats team it was only their fours that grabbed the solitary point in a very tight game. The fairly experienced Pencnwc team were up against a side with a couple of novices to the sport, but after a hesitant start, Gethin James and Meredith Jones together with an injured Rhys Beattie helped their skip secure a draw when earlier they were losing heavily. For once the Tygwydd singles player was more at home when not faced by a twelve-year-old and did not allow Neil Innes much of a look-in until a point in their game when there was little that Neil could do – but he tried and secured a satisfactory score by the end of the game.

Both teams were in action for a second time last week on Thursday. Pencnwc entertaining Cilgerran whilst the Tigers had a more difficult meeting down at Aberporth against the Dolphins. Despite the skills shown against their club-mates the previous week, the visiting Tigers were not too undaunted when they met. Darren Davies thought he had the singles game sown up until Margaret Clarke, slightly older than twelve, decided to fight back – Darren won this game by three woods, but it was close. The pairs went the Dolphins way easily, as did the fours, but the Tygwydd triples led from the start to win by 10 woods to 5.

Pencnwc’s second game, last week, was against Cilgerran and much more to the Redcoats liking, as yet again Cilgerran crumbled, unable to obtain any points at all.

Rhydlewis, knowing what Capel Dewi are capable of, were not to be taking anything for granted, and in yet another 8-0 game took all the points, leaving their visitors very much dewi-eyed!

Having had a rest the previous week, and unable to practice due to the Tigers re-arranged game, the Lions had the unenviable task of taking what they could from the Seasiders on Thursday. The drawn result was in reality a good result for Llandygwydd, knowing the aspirations of their visitors.

Orllwyn, buoyed up by their result the previous week, went to Abercych to play a much-chastened Manordeifi team. In a complete reversal of fortune from last week, Manordeifi captured 7 of the 8 points available from this game, with Singles, Pairs and triples taking points whilst the nail biting finish was left to the Rinks who were 6 points down on the last end. Slowly but surely, Manordeifi's players drew to the jack, whilst Orllwyn's players played too heavy or wide leaving Manordeifi's last wood to make the 6th shot for the draw. Everyone held their breath as the wood appeared to roll too far but at the count, the 6 points went to the home team creating a draw. Brilliant comeback and a great game.

Both Llechryd and Mydroilyn have not fully settled down yet, so when they met on Friday, they were both going to treat each other with respect before settling down to the task of obtaining as much as they could from the opposition. It turns out that it was Llechryd’s night as they ran out winners by 8 points to 0. The stars of the night, according to Kenneth, were Margaret, Pauline and Elaine in the triples, who did not concede a point all evening winning 18-0. This result has lifted the Coraclemen (and women) right up to joint sixth position in the League, level with both of the teams from Llandygwydd club, who meet each other this week.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY 24th October – Week 6

Most of last week’s games were very much one-sided affairs with three 8-0 results and a couple of 7-1’s. Aberporth failed to make any impression on Rhydlewis’s position. The Tigers and Redcoats had two games and got a fair number of points out of them, but only Tygwydd Tigers made much gain in the table. Pride of place for the week was Llechryd moving up three places – so you see Quarrymen it can be done.

Michael Martin - 25.10.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Result
19.10.2009 Monday Tygwydd Pencnwc 7 - 1
22.10.2009 Thursday Pencnwc Cilgerran 8 - 0
22.10.2009 Thursday Rhydlewis Capel Dewi 8 - 0
22.10.2009 Thursday Dolphins Tygwydd 4 - 4
22.10.2009 Thursday Llandygwydd Aberporth 4 - 4
23.10.2009 Friday Manordeifi Orllwyn 7 - 1
23.10.2009 Friday Llechryd Mydroilin 8 - 0
Penrhiwllan Bye

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WC 26th October

Cilgerran finally shrug off their Spooks

There were an interesting set of results from the games last week, from the predictable to the surprisingly scary.

The result of the Aberporth/Llechryd game was fairly predictable with the singles game a tough match, resulting in a score of 13-5 in favour of Aberporth, which belies how well Bill Jones played for Llechryd. The pairs was a similar affair, though more one-sided, with the home team coming out 15-7 on top. Likewise the triples went all Aberporth's way, despite some cracking shots from Llechryd's skip, Elaine. 15-4 was a good result but the visitors deserved better. Finally the home rinks team was not so successful. Even when they were touching the jack, they were matched by the visitors, and Llechryd were justly rewarded in this game with their 7-3 win.

The Penrhiwllan v Capel Dewi ended up a very even affair, with a draw as the result – effectively this was a better result for Capel Dewi playing away and the Cannons may regret letting some points slip by them here – resulting in their position slipping to fourth.

The Pencnwc v Dolphins game was postponed until the Redcoats can build a big enough bonfire, so expect some fireworks then.

In the first of three unexpected results the team not doing much to get the wooden spoon, woke up. The Quarrymen of Cilgerran dug deep and won all eight points against Mydroilyn, who must have been hoping for something from this fixture but were spooked. Congratulations and, in a way, I hope this luck continues, that is until I see that my team will be playing them this week! You can have too much of a good thing, you know.

Manordeifi are always hopeful of surprising everyone to get the top prize, so they had to do well against the existing title-holders, Rhydlewis. It resulted in their toughest game of the season so far, when they met the leaders on Friday evening. Manordeifi would be the first to admit that they have had problems in past seasons keeping concentration to the last end of matches and have often come unstuck because of it, but they laid that ghost firmly to rest by winning all their points on the last end, and, in the case of the Triples, the last bowl! Some tough games especially in the Pairs where the visitors were just too strong, but it was Rhydlewis who left at the end of the night with only three points and their first defeat of the season. “Manor United indeed” says Catherine ‘Ferguson’! Well let’s not be too hasty – bit more “Manor City” perhaps!

Finally there was the local derby game of Tygwydd v Llandygwydd which normally one would expect the Lions to capture most of the points. However it was only their pairs team, Goronwy and Chris, who got anything from the night with the Tigers triumphant in the other games. I am informed that they were close contests but all resulted in wins for the Triumphant Tywygians (if I can say that).

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY 31st October – Week 7

The results have spread out the teams apart from a small group in the middle. Cilgerran’s excellent result made no real impression on their position, but must help them for the future (just not THIS WEEK).

There could be fireworks this week as leaders Rhydlewis won’t be playing and Aberporth are genial hosts to Manordeifi in a top-of-the-table challenge. Dolphins and Pencnwc will hope to do well as they both play two games to catch up.

Michael Martin - 31.10.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Result
29.10.2009 Thursday Aberporth Llechryd 6 - 2
29.10.2009 Thursday Penrhiwllan Capel Dewi 4 - 4
29.10.2009 Thursday Pencnwc Dolphins 4 - 4
29.10.2009 Thursday Tygwydd Llandygwydd 6 - 2
30.10.2009 Friday Cilgerran Mydroilyn 8 - 0
30.10.2009 Friday Manordeifi Rhydlewis 5 - 3
Orllwyn Bye

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WC 2nd November

Llandygwydd stuff a banger in Orllwyn’s Bonfire of Hope

There were an interesting set of results from the games last week, from the predictable to the surprisingly scary.

Pencnwc travelled down to Capel Dewi for their first game of last week and must have been most pleased to take six points on what most teams consider a difficult place to play. Another location people have trouble with – due to the nature of the floor, not the people – is Mydroilyn who have run into a patch of bad form of late. On Tuesday they played host to Dolphins and needed the tea afterwards as their visitors took all the points available and probably the raffle prizes as well.

The Aberporth v Manordeifi game was important to both teams, hoping to capitalise on Rhydlewis’s absence from play. Hoping to set a Catherine wheel amongst the home team’s efforts, Manor United needed all eight points to take pole position, whist the Seasiders just required five. As it turned out, the home team got what they needed and whilst the singles was a cliff-hanger from start to finish, with Steve Reynolds leading all the way to the last end, being 9-6 up. It looked like a foregone conclusion, but after putting the first wood in the ditch, Paul managed to steal the jack for 2 with one wood each left. Steve bowled slightly wide leaving Paul with a “no pressure” shot (huh!) that mustn't move the jack. He held his nerve and drew in for a third wood, ending the game in a draw.

Whilst the pairs game went all the way in Aberporth’s favour, the triples was a closer thing with a late rally by the visitors – to no avail.

The rinks was a bit of a see-saw game as Manordiefi started well with a 3 on the first end; gave away 4 on the second end; before getting 7 on the third, with Aberporths' nearest wood about 2 feet away.  Another 4 on the next end took the visitors to 14-4 up from which Aberporth never recovered.

Aberporth would have hoped for 6-2, or better, on their own mats, but Manordeifi showed that they can be formidable opponents, thoroughly deserving their 3 points.

It was not a totally one-sided set of games when Penrhiwllan hosted Llechryd, though most of the results went the home sides way. Bill Jones found himself up against Richard Bartlett and whilst he pulled away immediately, it was Bill who played better in the second half of the game. In one spectacular shot, Bill managed to push Tricky Dicky’s holding shot off the mat, touch the jack and end up in the ditch to capture all four woods. Did his team-mates spot it? No they were more interested in a relatively mediocre shot from one of the Penrhiwllan pairs. As it was, it was only the Coraclemen’s pairs, Kenneth and Peter – the “Tesco Kid” - did well enough to secure their points, whilst the rest went down to the skills of the home side. As Derek Harris, of Llechryd’s rinks team, put it, “We nearly got lucky!”.

In a manner similar to M&S’s advertising, Llandygwydd didn’t just play Orllwyn, they out-played them with staggering scores that totalled 88 to Orllwyn’s 13! All members of the Lions team pulled out all the stops to secure victory, making Captain John smile. Orllwyn must have the un-enviable title of heaviest losing side after that. Is 34 – 5 the largest score for an individual game? I’ll have to ask Eric the Eagle.

The Pencnwc v Dolphins game was postponed from last week. Both teams having played once already were chasing the points to improve their league position. In the end they had to settle to share.

Finally Tygwydd hosted Cilgerran, who had revitalised themselves the previous week but the Tigers stuck a rocket into them on Friday, taking all eight points. At one point Margaret Morley of Cilgerran was heard to say that if their skip “had moved that jack over, we could have had seven!” Yes Margaret. The words “if” and “could” go with Derek’s “nearly” and “lucky” – that’s the nature of the game. Anyway it was a good sociable evening, which is what these games are all about, isn’t it?

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY 7th November – Week 8

There’s a bit of bunching at the top and just below now. Some teams are counting on the number of games played now, in the hope that they will improve. The fireworks only affected the middle-placed teams against-lower positioned ones.

This week most teams will be sighing with relief as in-form Tigers rest to digest their recent takings. The top game this week looks like the Coachmen going fishing for points, but elsewhere expect a few 8-0 results – unless there’s some upsets.

Michael Martin - 07.11.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Result
02.11.2009 Monday Capel Dewi Pencnwc 2 - 6
03.11.2009 Tuesday Mydroilyn Dolphins 0 - 8
05.11.2009 Thursday Aberporth Manordeifi 5 - 3
05.11.2009 Thursday Penrhiwllan Llechryd 6 - 2
05.11.2009 Thursday Llandygwydd Orllwyn 8 - 0
06.11.2009 Friday Tygwydd Cilgerran 8 - 0
Rhydlewis Bye

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WC 9th November

Capel Dewi triumph over Llandygwydd’s Pride

With a few exceptions, last weeks games went the way one would expect, as we approach the half-way point of the season and get to know how the teams are faring.

Orllwyn and Mydroilyn in particular, appear to be suffering at the moment, again losing all their games to the stronger opposition of Aberporth and Manordeifi. However they must take heart as teams in similar situations to them managed to spring surprises on their opponents.

The week started well for Capel Dewi who trounced visitors Llandygwydd with a 7 – 1 victory. Capel Dewi village hall can be hard for some to adjust to – with Mydroilyn and Llandygwydd hall floors much the same. Even so, the Lions should have roared a bit louder - only mustering a whimper as they lost 7 - 1. In the darkness of the night, did they spot Tigers smiling at their plight?

When teams from the bottom half of the table face those at the top, it is most satisfying to get whatever points they can. Cilgerran had quite a smile when they visited Penrhiwllan last week. Only the week before they had been devastated by Tygwydd, but they pulled themselves together to take three points off the title-challengers. Two points were won by the pairs team of Jill and Margaret – who were lucky to be playing together for a change. Why do Cilgerran have so few members – is there no one in the village who fancies a go?

Pencnwc secured a good victory over a lacklustre Llechryd, whilst Rhydlewis had points taken off them when they hosted the Dolphins. The coachmen needed those points to stay in reach of the sand-loving usurpers. It may have been just one game that they lost, but those two points are valuable ones.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY 14th November – Week 9

There’s a real spread throughout the table now, with earlier gaps filled in. It’s too close to predict who will take the title, but the obvious contenders are clear to be seen.

This week Mydroilyn and Cilgerran face stiff opposition as they play Aberporth and Rhydlewis – with both those teams hoping not to drop points. Manor United face the Redcoats, whilst the Cannons hope to fend off the Lions when they come visiting.

Michael Martin - 15.11.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Result
09.11.2009 Monday Capel Dewi Llandygwydd 7 - 1
12.11.2009 Thursday Aberporth Orllwyn 8 - 0
12.11.2009 Thursday Pencnwc Llechryd 7 - 1
12.11.2009 Thursday Rhydlewis Dolphins 6 - 2
12.11.2009 Thursday Penrhiwllan Cilgerran 5 - 3
13.11.2009 Friday Manordeifi Mydroilyn 8 - 0
Tygwydd Bye

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WC 16th November

Dolphins Triumph but no change in the League

From a period when several teams seemed to get a succession of 8-0 victories, getting a draw seemed to be the norm last week. Three games ended up this way – including, surprisingly, Manordeifi’s game with Pencnwc.

Aberporth visited Mydroilyn hoping to capture all the points, but the home fours team spoilt the party by winning their game. Whilst the singles and pairs games went comfortably well for the Seasiders, the Dragons triples led the fight-back and narrowly missed getting the points, but it lead to the fours team securing their victory.

As Paul reports: “Aberporth struggled to adjust to the mat and were consistently outplayed by some good play by the home team.  Particularly worth mentioning is Mydroilyn's youngest player, Jake Fletcher, who played lead.  It can be daunting to be playing alongside adults, many of whom exude confidence.  Jake kept his nerve and played well.  He was regularly on, or near, the jack and had very few shots that were off target.  He is clearly an asset to his team and will develop into a first-rate player.”

As Jill of Cilgerran said, it was a stormy night at Rhydlewis on Thursday, with the electricity keep going on and off – perhaps the hall committee should pay the bill! Anyway, by the time the power gave up the singles, pairs and triples had all been won by the home team and they were ahead by so much in the fours that Cilgerran conceded total defeat. Worse was to follow. No tea. They had to eat the sandwiches and cakes by candlelight. It could catch on – don’t tell any restaurants though, they might try it out – sandwiches and cakes I mean, not dining by candlelight.

The Dolphins probably had the best result of the week. Their 7 – 1 victory over poor Orllwyn puts them just two points below their nearest rivals, Penrhiwllan, who could only muster a draw against Llandygwydd, who in turn were anxiously trying to catch up on their arch-rivals Tygwydd. The Cannons will be mourning the loss of four points rather than celebrating four points gained – imagine that Cilgerran, FOUR points! It would be Christmas all over again – oh no it won’t…. (I’ve started already)

Another club begrudging the loss of points will be Manordeifi, who also drew last week against a reduced Pencnwc team. The Manors United are still hoping for table-topping success, but I don’t see it happening this year – they’ll be eyeing up candidates for when the transfer-season is open. The Singles was a close game with it going to the last end with the home side losing out as did the triples. The Rinks was a good game but the home team were always in control whilst the Pairs was an excellent game with some superb shots by both team skips but the Manordeifi girls proving more focused and determined to take the points resulting in a drawn evening.

Finally the week ended with one of the closest matches yours truly has witnessed. Both the singles and the pairs in the Tygwydd v Capel Dewi match went to the last end – with the penultimate end being a draw. (“Penultimate” is a sort of biro in case some don’t know!) The Tygwydd players secured both games in those final ends.

The Triples was also a close game that ended with a victory for the visitors.

The Fours was also going that way when after seven ends it was 2 – 3. Yes two ends had produced tied ends, it was that close. However then Capel Dewi got a 6! Yes their woods never touched the mat until they crossed over the fender at the far end (I lie, but it was asking for it). Capel Dewi went on to secure the victory they craved. The speeches were most entertaining, containing a lot of humour at other teams expense – I wonder which team in particular?

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY 21st November – Week 10

For once there is not one change in the position of the teams this week, though some clubs edged closer to their rivals. Dolphins did the best by pulling away from those below them.

This week there is to be a ‘top-of-the table’ challenge as Penrhiwllan visit the seaside (must remember the flags either to wave in victory, or for the sand castle!). The Coachmen hope to wipe the floor with the Linos and Dolphins hope to capitalise on Manor U’s enforced rest.

Michael Martin - 22.11.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Results
16.11.2009 Tuesday Mydroilyn Aberporth 2 - 6
19.11.2009 Thursday Rhydlewis Cilgerran 8 - 0
19.11.2009 Thursday Dolphins Orllwyn 7 - 1
19.11.2009 Thursday Pehrhiwllan Llandygwydd 4 - 4
20.11.2009 Friday Manordeifi Pencnwc 4 - 4
20.11.2009 Friday Tygwydd Capel Dewi 4 - 4
Llechryd Bye

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WC 23rd November

They Think it’s All Over – But is it?

It’s official (sic). It’s all over. The only uncertainty left now is whether reigning champions, Rhydlewis, keep the title or the usurpers from Aberporth can take the crown to the seaside.

Manordeifi didn’t play last week, and whilst they were in third place only six or seven points behind their hopes, they now lie in fourth place but fourteen points adrift.

Last weeks games saw both teams grab many points to leave themselves nine points clear of the nearest challengers, Dolphins (also from Aberporth), who have played an extra game. With two matches left until the half-way stage, other teams need two matches of maximum points with the top two losing heavily, just to catch up. However one of those challengers, Penrhiwllan, were up against Aberporth and lost 7 – 1. Only the fours team from Penrhiwllan managed to grab a point, whilst in the singles, Richard Bartlett took an early lead but allowed Paul Edwards to sneak back in as they went into the final end with the score 7 all. (Click here for full report on this match.)

Rhydlewis played host to Llandygwydd and had an electrifying session taking all eight points – but at least the power stayed on. The Lions were whimpering back home knowing that their fellow club-mates would be wanting to increase their lead over them. Llandygwydd seemed to have lost the will lately, they have good players but somehow haven’t shown their skill as in the past.

Up and coming Dolphins went to Cilgerran, another team suffering, and added to their woes by taking back all eight points – a fate that Mydroilyn also shared when they went across to Pencnwc.

The game between neighbours Tygwydd and Llechryd was an enjoyable game. Darren Davies and Bill Jones had a real tussle and Bill must have thought he was on to a winner when they went into the final end four ahead. “It’s a funny old game.” Someone famous once said and Bill found out as, after a long-protracted measure, Darren captured all four woods to end up with a draw. On the other mat, Ken and Peter must have thought they were doing all right as they stormed away to a comfortable lead, but did complacency creep in as Bruce and myself edged their way back in. By the final end, and the final wood played, I needed a wonderful display of skill (for ‘skill’ read luck) to push the jack out to Bruce’s waiting woods. Most readers of this column will have been there before and know the feeling one gets as one cocks it up! “You played well.” Said Ken, meaning something quite different.

The triples game went the way of the visitors in a fairly close game, whilst the Tygwydd fours made it look easy as they romped away. 5 – 3 to Llechryd left them feeling good, the only disappointment being that they didn’t win the skipping rope in the raffe – leaving David Beattie and Betty Griffiths to demonstrate how that is done!

Finally Capel Dewi visited their neighbours Orllwyn in Penrhiwllan and managed to capture six of the eight points.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY 28th November – Week 11

As intimated before, the League table now has two gaps in it. The top two are currently out of reach of their rivals, whilst the bottom three teams are separated from the bulk. The real competition now is between the eight teams in the middle, led currently by Dolphins who don’t play this week. They are five points clear of Manordeifi and Penrhiwllan, but both of those could easily get eight points out of their opposition – except for one small point. They play each other this week on Friday! The umpire will have to keep a sharp eye out for foot faulting!

In form Red Coats face the sweeping tide of the Seasiders whilst the Coraclemen will struggle against the current of the Coachmen. Manors United will face the muted Cannons as Adar Orllwyn hope to dampen the enthusiasm of the Tigers. The Lions hope to roar against the Quarrymen and Capel Dewi hope to capitalise on the Dragons lack of fire.

Michael Martin - 28.11.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Umpire
26.11.2009 Thursday Aberporth Penrhiwllan 7 - 1
26.11.2009 Thursday Orllwyn Capel Dewi 2 - 6
26.11.2009 Thursday Rhydlewis Llandygwydd 8 - 0
26.11.2009 Thursday Pencnwc Mydroilyn 8 - 0
27.11.2009 Friday Tygwydd Llechryd 3 - 5
27.11.2009 Friday Cilgerran Dolphins 0 - 8
Manordeifi Bye

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WC 30th November

Tygwydd Tumble but Aberporth Are Tops

The week started off on Monday when Mydroilyn travelled down to Capel Dewi and suffered once more. As the saying goes, “It’s a funny old game.” How can a team that got two points off Aberporth not get anything from Capel Dewi.

It should have been a tighter result when Pencnwc entertained Aberporth on Thursday, but still the Aberporth machine rolled on, gaining six points. Despite the score line of 12-4 to Paul Edwards, the singles was a very closely fought match against John, with maybe a few lucky wicks going Paul's way.  So no change there then.

In the pairs Aberporth’s Winston and Cory completely outplayed the experienced Pencnwc pair of Tom and Roy - as the score of 22-5 would suggest.  Pencnwc really struggled with their length whilst the visitors were very consistent. In contrast, the triples was a very close game.  Tic and tac all the way through with the score 7-7 going into the last end.  A very close call for the winning shot which had to be measured and went to Aberporth.  Finally, in the fours, Mansel, Pat Innes, Lynda and Bob managed to claim a modest victory, winning 11-3, the score going up mainly in singles with the odd two here and there – and I thought you had to have four in the rinks!

A good evening, played in very good spirit and much enjoyed by everyone.  So Pencnwc's good run of form comes to an end.  Has this anything to do with Neil and Pat's return to the team from their holiday in India? – well yes Pat, I think it does. Do they have short mat bowls in India? Do Pat and Neil have to play?

Orllwyn have experienced a number of 8–0 washouts this season and they faced a reduced Tygwydd side who had to draw three players out of the hat. They must have felt a bit unlucky in pulling out the names they did, but nevertheless they went on to win three of the games, quite convincingly. Only the singles went the way of the visitors.

It was a similar scoreline when Llandygwydd played host to Cilgerran, who lost the pairs, triples and rinks. Eileen played very well against Irwel Evans, and must have smelt victory – if indeed one can smell such a thing - going into the last end 12-8 up. However, Irwell kept his cool and took all four woods to draw the game. As Jill says “One point is better than nothing!” I suppose that is true, but two points would have been preferable. This result puts the Lions on level terms with the Redcoats.

Llechryd made an excellent start in their game agaist Rhydlewis with Bill Jones winning the first five ends to take a 9-0 lead over Medwyn, who then went on to win five of the remaining ends but Bill skilfully kept the scores down low to win the game 12-6. The Rhydlewis pairs started well, taking an early lead, but Llechryd’s David & Kenneth came straight back in the 5th end to bring the score to 4-5. Diane & Ceri kept their heads in front up to the 10th end with a 7-12 lead, just enough points to hold off Llechryd’s final attack, Rhydlewis taking the game by just 1 point with an 11-12 score line.

In the triples an early Rhydlewis lead soon disappeared with the teams level by the 4th end. Rhydlewis then won the next 5 ends but Llechryd’s skip Elaine only allowed them to take 1 point from each end. After a close game Rhydlewis were happy their victory. In the fours it was virtually a one-sided affair to Rhydlewis leaving the final tally 2 – 6 for the visitors.

With Manordeifi and Penrhiwllan level pegging in the league, both wanted a good result to break the deadlock. In the end it was the home team of Manordeifi that had their wish by 6-2. Singles was the closest game with Steve reynolds just breaking away at the end whilst the home pairs team were cool and in control all the way. The home Rinks also played well taking the last 2 points whilst the visiting Triples showed no mercy with a large points margin to take the visitors' only points. Special mention to the two juniors who were playing in their first league competition and who should be proud of the way they played.

A point that has cropped up at least twice this week is an umpiring issue. Just how many players can be on the mat, or involved in the discussion about the course of play. I’ve looked up the rule book and see nothing. Apparently one umpire has reprimanded a team for having more than two players on the mat – but that is how many counties and nations play – so why does this seem a problem in our League – more will no doubt follow.

Many thanks to all those sending in their reports, much of which is included above.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 5th December – Week 12

Next week marks the half-way point in this season's league and it’s neck-and-neck for the top two with a convincing lead over the nearest challengers. Capel Dewi’s victory moves them up a bit as the Tigers slip. Dolphins will count themselves lucky that their week off didn’t do too much harm.

Next week sees Mydroilyn resting, but all eyes will be on Thursday's game at Aberporth as the Seasiders face their rivals, Rhydlewis. This game will be the final match of the season in March – as Dermot O’Leary would say (in a loud voice with lots of flashing lights) – “What a Final this will be!”. Another top game will see the Cannons playing the Dolphins and the meeting of the Redcoats and Lions. It’s almost as if the League positions dictate who is playing who. The game between Cilgerran and Orllwyn will now be in February.

Michael Martin - 05.12.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Result
30.11.2009 Monday Capel Dewi Mydroilyn 8 - 0
03.12.2009 Thursday Pencnwc Aberporth 2 - 6
03.12.2009 Thursday Orllwyn Tygwydd 6 - 2
03.12.2009 Thursday Llandygwydd Cilgerran 7 - 1
04.12.2009 Friday Llechryd Rhydlewis 2 - 6
04.12.2009 Friday Manordeifi Penrhiwllan 6 - 2
Dolphins Bye

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WC 7th December

Half-way and Aberporth stake their Title Claim

Half-way through the league season and the big match of last week was the top-of-the-table tussle between Aberporth and Rhydlewis which ended in a 6-2 victory for the Seasiders. The home advantage seemed to elude Paul Edwards in the singles, as Medwyn Jones steamed to a solid victory, whilst the pairs was much more of a tussle. The home pair just managing to take the points.

The triples was very much a stroll in the park for Aberporth as the 14-5 scoreline testified. The home team started well in the rinks, too, leading 11-0 at one stage. Rhydlewis staged a formidable come back, but needed five off the last end for a draw.  Aberporth played it canny, though, placing a good second wood and another close by, making a large score very unlikely.  Robert Evans ploughed in with weight, nudging the Aberporth woods aside, leaving them holding the necessary 5!  Luckily, Brian managed to squeeze an extra wood in with the last shot to cut them down to 2, thereby taking the game. It certainly looks like Aberporth had a cause for celebration at their Christmas Dinner last Friday.

At Penrhiwllan, Dolphins were hopeful of success, but were eluded in several instances. Michael Trick was 7 – 0 down to Richard Bartlett after five ends, but then staged a remarkable come-back to secure a draw. Meanwhile the Dolphin pairs secured a victory leaving the home team needing their triples and fours to get the points – which they duly did.

Pencnwc entertained Llandygwydd and shared the points, as did Tygwydd and Manordeifi. In the latter game the singles was a very closely fought contest as Darren Davies fought off the challenge of Steve Reynolds, whilst on the other mat Bruce and Michael overcame Rob and Colin. The Tygwydd Triples were in Terrible Trouble losing heavily. After five ends Tygwydd were 7 – 2 ahead and comfortably secure of victory when Catherine the Great woke up and decided that they should have no more. She led her two colleagues to a 7 - 13 victory! Huw Davies’s Tygwydd fours team staged a good recovery from what looked like a Manordeifi walkover to make an interesting final end, just failing to secure the points they craved.

The Cilgerran v Orllwyn game was postponed until February.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 12th December – Week 13

Apart from one postponed game, this marks the half-way point and it looks like a two-horse race for the title between the Seasiders and the Coachmen. However things can change if some of the chasing pack get their acts together.

Some of the other teams are close to each other and it is here that various teams are juggling for position.

For the first time, the second half of the competition begins before Christmas, this week, and the top two travel to Tygwydd and Penrhiwllan.

Michael Martin - 14.12.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Result
07.12.2009 Monday Aberporth Rhydlewis 6 - 2
10.12.2009 Thursday Penrhiwllan Dolphins 5 - 3
10.12.2009 Thursday Pencnwc Llandygwydd 4 - 4
11.12.2009 Friday Llechryd Capel Dewi 6 - 2
11.12.2009 Friday Tygwydd Manordeifi 4 - 4
11.12.2009 Friday Cilgerran Orllwyn Postponed
Mydroilyn Bye

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WC 14th December

Ho! Ho! Ho! Tygwydd get Surprise Gift as Panto Season Starts

In a week where so many games ended up in 6 – 2 scorelines, the shock of the week must go to the Sleeping Beauty from Tygwydd who faced up to the Wicked Witches of the West, Aberporth. With nothing to lose, and no Prince Charming present, the Tigers played their hearts out to beat the current leaders 6 - 2! In the singles it was actually left to the two team captains to measure the final end, denying Paul - the friendly giant – Edwards a point. Two Tygwydd players, Davina the Dame and Rhys the Robber, drawn out of the genie’s bottle performed superbly, defeating the Emire of Aberporth and the enCorigable.

In the triples game the two pantomime Davids owed their nine lives to Davina. As Aberporth clearly were reading the pace and line of the mat better than they. The David’s were having a private contest of who gets the most “touchers” resulting in one end where their 4 woods all had chalkmarks on them. However as these woods were yards away from the beanstalk, let alone the jack, when they came to rest they were not much use.  Davina’s calm measured play against Bill Coombes, who had to play a few more shots “with running” than he appeared to have liked, secured the victory and it was in the glow of the win that prevented the two Davids from getting the well deserved slap from their skip that they deserved.

It was only the Tygwydd fours that didn’t rise to the occasion, allowing Aberporth a consolation couple of points. On one end, Tygwydd had seven woods – all behind the fender, but newly promoted skip, Delyth the Damselle, cut short the Seasiders' celebrations.

The result was a blow to the title-hopefuls who will wonder if they had too much at their Christmas Dinner the previous week.

Meanwhile in the performance of “Jack and the Beanstalk”, (Dolphins v Capel Dewi at Aberporth) it was champion Jack Jones, ably assisted by Gerwyn Jones of Capel Dewi, who controlled the pairs game but Dolphins scored heavily on the few ends they won. In fact, Dolphins didn’t score at all for six ends. The result was a draw – you was robbed by the Giant, Jack. The singles was convincingly won by Margaret Clarke, defeating John ‘Butcher’ Evans – still looking for Jack’s cow!

The triples game was a close affair, with Dolphins coming out on top 7 – 6, whilst on the other mat it was also a close affair – ending up on the last end with Glanmor Jones – the Capel Dewi skip – being told in no uncertain terms to “Go away!” as he strolled down the mat to see if he could improve things, after Ron Snell’s final wood left the Capel Dewi wood leaning over enough to secure a 9 – 10 victory. Interesting thought from the pairs though, when it was about to start, was it Jack’s jack! Oh no it wasn’t! Oh yes it was!

Cinderella of the League, Cilgerran, invited Manordeifi to their Ball on Friday. They turned up in their golden coaches and took away six of the points. Only the Cilgerran fours managed to secure a win after some close games elsewhere.

Penrhiwllan were host to Rhydllewis who, like Dick Whittington, was not turning their back on the title quite so easily – managing to secure six points and Llechryd did the same when Aladdin Kenneth rubbed his magic lamp as Orllwyn visited them on Friday. Sorry Orllwyn, the Genie was on the other side that night!

In other games there was the visit of Mydroilyn to Llandygwydd which followed the Dragons recent form, losing all four games. Come on you lot, you’re supposed to be Dragons – not Puss in Boots! If Tygwydd can do it, so can you.

Gilbert & Sullivan’s performance of “The Pirates of New Quay” was not performed last week!

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 19th December – Week 14

Aberporth and Rhydlewis are equal again and the Lions and Capel Dewi swap places, but otherwise all is much the same.

The League takes a break for the festivities until the second week of January when Tigers face another formidable opponent, the Coachmen. Meanwhile the Seasiders have to wait until the following week before they resume playing.

May I take this opportunity to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and may all your woods be on the jack next year (unless you’re playing the Tigers of course!)

Michael Martin - 20.12.2009

Date Day Home team Away team Result
17.12.2009 Thursday Llandygwydd Mydroilyn 8 - 0
17.12.2009 Thursday Dolphins Capel Dewi 5 - 3
17.12.2009 Thursday Penrhiwllan Rhydlewis 2 - 6
18.12.2009 Friday Tygwydd Aberporth 6 - 2
18.12.2009 Friday Llechryd Orllwyn 6 - 2
18.12.2009 Friday Cilgerran Manordeifi 2 - 6
Pencnwc Bye

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WC 4th January

Date Day Home team Away team Result
04.01.2010 Monday Capel Dewi Cilgerran Postponed
07.01.2010 Thursday Pencnwc Penrhiwllan Postponed
07.01.2010 Thursday Rhydlewis Tygwydd Postponed
07.01.2010 Thursday Orllwyn Mydroilyn Postponed
07.01.2010 Thursday Llandygwydd Dolphins Postponed
08.01.2010 Friday Manordeifi Llechryd Postponed
Aberporth Bye

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WC 11th January

Redcoats Hijack the Coachmen

The bad weather has continued to affect the Short Mat Bowls League games, as yet another three games were postponed. Together with all of the previous weeks games, and the one from before Christmas, there are now ten games to catch up on – no mean feat for busy people.

Of the three games that were played, only Pencnwc’s result against Rhydlewis provided any surprise – a draw that should have been a victory for the Coachmen. Pat Innes, freshly invigorated after the Christmas break, reported that, in the singles, John G got his revenge over Medwyn who had beaten him soundly when the teams met at Rhydlewis back in October.  This time John came out a well-deserved winner 17-7.  “John played really well.” She says. I’d watch out John, I think Pat wants something! Meanwhile on the other mat, Tom and Roy had no answer to Ceri and Diane, and were soundly thrashed 4-26.

For the second half, Norma, Neil and Moira came out 15 – 4 winners in the triples, over Dave, Carwyn and Alun.  This was quite a noisy match - well it always is when Neil plays! - with a slight "discussion" towards the end, when the rule book had to come out! WHAT! Pencnwc have a book of rules?

The Rinks was a very tight game which got off to an unfortunate start from the Pencnwc point of view when they dropped a 5 on the first end!  But the team, skipped by Bob, fought back and it was 6-9 going into the last end.  Pencnwc were holding 4 shots with 3 woods to go, and Robert of Rhydlewis fired into them and made shot.  Well done him. (Pat wrote with feeling).  So the final score was 6-10.  Teams were Mansell, Pat Innes, Lynda and Bob for Pencnwc and Avril, Alun, Osian and Robert for Rhydlewis. As Pat said “It was nice to get back to playing bowls again after what seems to have been a very long lay-off”. She didn’t say that when she went to Italy.

On the same night was the match between the 3rd and 4th placed teams, and was a case of 'he who comes from behind, wins (or draws)', as Alan Ford reported. “Manordeifi came from behind in the singles and fours to win, and in the pairs to draw (a fighting three on the last end), while Dolphins picked themselves up in the triples to come back for a good win. Many players had not touched a bowl since before Christmas, but the standard of play from both teams was still very high.” “Not touched a bowl”, Alan – not even when eating the Christmas pud and brandy butter? Oh! That sort of bowl. The result here being 5 – 3 to Manordeifi.

Finally in Cilgerran, Aberporth did what seems to be coming fairly normal to them and took all the points off their genial hosts. Jill graciously says “Well done to Aberporth for taking all 8 points on Friday evening,  we'll rest next week and  come back stronger than ever against Llechryd!!”. So, Llechryd, you have been warned. I wonder, Jill, does that mean you’re going to get more than the two points you got in October?

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 16th January – Week 16

Aberporth pull ahead of Rhydlewis but otherwise the table is unchanged.

Apart from any of the postponed games taking place, the scheduled games of this week should see some jostling for position amongst the middle bunch of teams, with no less than five teams in the fifties. But can anyone put a dent in the pride of the top two?

Michael Martin - 17.01.2010

Date Day Home team Away team Result
14.01.2010 Thursday Penrhiwllan Orllwyn Postponed
14.01.2010 Thursday Pencnwc Rhydlewis 4 - 4
14.01.2010 Thursday Dolphins Manordeifi 3 - 5
15.01.2010 Friday Cilgerran Aberporth 0 - 8
15.01.2010 Friday Llechryd Llandygwydd Postponed
15.01.2010 Friday Tygwydd Mydroilyn Postponed
Capel Dewi Bye

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WC 18th January

Mydroilyn the Magicians

Last week was the first time that the league could resume a normal programme and yet again Rhydlewis suffered losses. This time it was from near-bottom team, Mydroilyn. Make no bones about this, Mydroilyn have suffered more than their fair share of white-washes, so to get three points off the title-holders was a superb achievement. Well done.

On Thursday, league-leaders Aberporth nearly came a cropper against unreliable Capel Dewi. I use the term ‘unreliable’ as no one can quite be sure how playing them will turn out. You can go and get hammered, or come away with everything. John ‘Butcher’ Evans must have thought he was onto a loser, when after two ends he was five-nil down, but with a crack of the hands he then put Paul Edwards through total misery and didn’t let him score again – to win the game most convincingly 5 – 12 – that was a nice retirement gift, John. Whilst the pairs was a game that the Capel Dewi team would rather forget, both the triples and rinks had Aberporth on the run. Almost at the same time, though, the two Aberporth teams succeeded in getting substantial ends in, which seemed to have a negative affect on the visitors. For example, in the Triples, Capel Dewi were leading 2 – 6 after six ends, but then Aberporth scored a 3 and a 4 and held on to win the game! So the match ended up with a 6 – 2 win for the Seasiders.

On the same night, Pencnwc visited the Penrhiwllan team ‘Orllwyn’ and continued their recent revival by taking away six points, bringing them up close behind Tygwydd in the league. It was Orllwyn’s triples that got their two points, as Pat Immanins reported. She also commented on the lovely sandwiches by the way – an often overlooked item – before she shot off to the Lakes. I presume that would be Como – after all they’ve never been to Italy.

Llechryd hosted Dolphins on Friday evening and this game ended up as a draw – despite a substantial win last season. As Kenneth reported, “Bill Jones won fairly well 13-9 but the pairs of Peter and Kenneth lost again on the last end, but it was a very exciting game nip and tuck all the way, The triples went down 3 - 16. but the rinks did very well to fight back from behind to win the last 3 ends ending up on the right side of the score 11 - 9 well done to the 2 David's, Derek and Geoff.”

It was also a draw in nearby Llandygwydd where Tygwydd entertained Penrhiwllan – well with Dai Beattie as captain it would be entertaining. By the half-way stage, it was not looking too good for the Cannons as Darren Davies easily took charge of the singles game with Richard Bartlett. In the pairs it was not quite such a convincing win, as the game see-sawed between the two teams. However the perseverance of the Tygwydd pair paid off as in the final few ends they drew away to success. Good introduction for John of Penrhiwllan – this youngster was playing his first league game ever and did not disgrace himself – in fact Bruce and I were often hard-put to knock his woods away.

However it was all change at half-time as Penrhiwllan decided that enough was enough and took charge of both the triples and rinks games. The triples looked to be going the visitors way, but the home team fought back and might even had snatched the game had it not been for the tenacity of skip Islwyn Nash. The rinks game was a fairly one-sided affair with the home team seemingly unable to get much out of the skilful play of the Penrhiwllan four. So a draw was the net result.

Finally, over in Manordeifi, Steve Reynolds was on fine form, as Irwell Evans found out, and it seemed to be going easily the way of the Manors when they were 10 – 2 up over father and son pair Meurig and Iestyn James. But that is where the home team stopped concentrating and the James steadily clawed back the lead to end up with a draw – 10 all!

The rinks and triples games went the way of the visitors and Llandygwydd went home happy with five of the eight points. Cilgerran didn’t play last week, but their much-hyped game against Llechryd will take place this week on Friday.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 23rd January – Week 17

Aberporth keep pulling away from Rhydlewis who seem to have struck a poor patch. The only teams to change positions were Pencnwc and Capel Dewi – with the Redcoats on a bit of a roll – but that should come to an end this week when the Tigers come out to play.

With the title-race now in the hands of, realistically, only two teams, the battle-ground seems to be in the middle of the table now. The Coachmen are in a fairly secure second place for the moment, being so clear of their nearest challenger, but they want to improve to stop the juggernaut of Aberporth, who face their club-colleagues Dolphins this week. Don’t expect any favours from either side – Dolphins need just four points to catch the Manors. Llandygwydd are resting, but all eyes must surely be on the Quarrymen’s planned dunking of the Coraclemen!

Several of the postponed games are being re-arranged, many for dates in February,

Michael Martin - 24.01.2010

Date Day Home team Away team Result
19.01.2010 Tuesday Mydroilyn Rhydlewis 3 - 5
21.01.2010 Thursday Aberporth Capel Dewi 6 - 2
21.01.2010 Thursday Orllwyn Pencnwc 2 - 6
22.01.2010 Friday Llechryd Dolphins 4 - 4
22.01.2010 Friday Manordeifi Llandygwydd 3 - 5
22.01.2010 Friday Tygwydd Penrhiwllan 4 - 4
Cilgerran Bye

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WC 20th January

Mydroilyn on a Roll

There was a start, last week, on reclaiming some of the lost games from the beginning of the month. On top of the normal six games, three others were played. With several teams playing twice in a week – something that will be a frequent occurrence for a while – there are high expectations amongst the players.

Dolphins must have had high hopes of boosting their ranking but were upset by losing three of the games to Llandygwydd on Wednesday before facing their club colleagues, Aberporth, on Thursday and getting the same result. I know that some would say that Dolphins would go easy for their clubmates – but anyone saying that cannot have played against them recently!

Another ‘home derby’ game also took place last week when the delayed Penrhiwllan v Orllwyn game also led to a 6 – 2 result. Orllwyn are going through a bit of a rough patch and so Penrhiwllan are probably mourning the loss of two points, rather than celebrating the six.

Six-Two appears to have been the flavour of the week as Capel Dewi won their match against Cilgerran on one day, then went to Manordeifi but lost by the same score, whilst Cilgerran, despite all the urging that Jill could muster, went and lost (again) to Llechryd, also a 6 – 2 result. In this case, whilst the singles and the triples were won comfortably by the visitors, the pairs and rinks both ended up as drawn games. This, for Cilgerran, is an improvement – it means two of their teams did well.

The final six-two result saw the Tygwydd team suffering at Pencnwc. Cunning trick that, you Redcoats, ply the enemy with drink and then have your wicked way on the mats! Unfortunately Bruce and myself were too late arriving to sample the local brew and played our game thirsty. We were the only ones to win, so there’s a moral there somewhere. All the games were really close and the expression ‘nip and tuck’ was used in both speeches at the end – though it was noticed that Tom let Dai Speechmaster go first so that he didn’t have to say too much (not that there was much time left!).

Anyway, despite the expressions of plastic surgery concerning the play, all games were extremely close. In the pairs, Bruce and I were hard-pushed to get much of a look in to begin with as Roy and Pat Inmac managed to always be on the jack. However we persevered and managed to secure victory. It went the other way around in the other three games though, so I won’t dwell on that!

Thursday saw more play at Rhydlewis, where they entertained Orllwyn, playing their second game of the week. Orllwyn probably wished that there had been a blizzard before setting off, as they returned empty-handed. At the beginning of the season, 8 – 0 results seemed to be the norm, but now that’s not so common. It just goes to show that there are signs of improvement in all clubs - none more so than with Mydroilyn who travelled down to face Penrhiwllan – also playing for the second time last week - and walked away, proudly, with a draw. Penrhiwllan – a draw – with Mydroilyn? Are you having a laugh?

Perhaps last weeks headline in one newspaper is all it took to invigorate the ‘northerners’!

Now, what can we say about Cilgerran to give them a lift?

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 30th January – Week 18

With three of the backlog-games played, there are still seven games from previous weeks to be sorted out. This keeps the excitement going as one cannot be sure of one’s position in the League.

The Tigers suffered most this week by dropping two places as both Capel Dewi and Pencnwc overtook them – but for how long? Penrhiwllan suffered from that drawn game with Mydroilyn – they must have fancied pushing Dolphins into fifth place. The Redcoats did well, playing just one game but jumping two places. However attention now focuses once more to the top of the table as the Coachmen draw within three points of the Seasiders. But the Manors are now fifteen points behind the pair. Is there any hope?

This week’s scheduled games include Aberporth v Llandygwydd and Capel Dewi v Rhydlewis as the top two hope to break the century barrier. On a lower level, Mydroilyn hope to continue their good run against Llechryd as Cilgerran face an uphill task with Pencnwc visiting them – but they can do it.

Penrhiwllan are resting, unless their postponed game is being played.

Michael Martin - 30.01.2010

Date Day Home team Away team Result
28.01.2010 Thursday Dolphins Aberporth 2 - 6
28.01.2010 Thursday Pencnwc Tygwydd 6 - 2
28.01.2010 Thursday Penrhiwllan Mydroilyn 4 - 4
28.01.2010 Thursday Rhydlewis Orllwyn 8 - 0
29.01.2010 Friday Llechryd Cilgerran 6 - 2
29.01.2010 Friday Manordeifi Capel Dewi 6 - 2
(04.01.2010) Monday Capel Dewi Cilgerran 6 - 2
(07.01.2010) Thursday Llandygwydd Dolphins 6 - 2
(14.01.2010) Thursday Penrhiwllan Orllwyn 6 - 2
Llandygwydd Bye

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WC 1st February

Aberporth Break the Barrier

After another week in which two more of the snowed-off games got played, the leaders stretched further ahead, breaking the 100 barrier, whilst the tail-chasers drop further behind.

The week started in Capel Dewi as Rhydlewis visited them. Now on paper, one would expect the title-holders (and hopefuls) to walk away with at least six points, but the sight of those yellow shirts must have put them off as a draw was the result. This leaves Rhydlewis seven points adrift of Aberporth. Is it all over yet? Well yes I think so.

Llechryd had to play twice last week. On Tuesday they went up north to play Mydroilyn who have recently found a bit of form. However on this occasion old habits returned and Llechryd secured seven of the eight points. With this in mind, Llechryd looked forward to continuing their success when the Lions would be roaring in on Friday.

Another team, seemingly to suffer this season, are Orllwyn, and success seemed to elude them once more as Manordeifi visited them last Thursday. It eluded them in every game, leaving Manordeifi edging ever closer to second-placed Rhydlewis. As Alan Ford reported: “The scoreline simply does not tell the story of a hard-fought, tight bowls match.”

In the singles Orllwyn's Lester had the edge over Steve for about half the game, until Steve gradually got the line and length to overtake and win. The home pairs were also ahead at 7 - 3, but after getting a 4 Manordeifi came back to 9 - 9 going into the last end, and protected a single shot to win. Gary Jones, skipping the fours for Manordiefi, had a cracking game in only his second game as skip this season. On one end he was 1 down, but punched the shot wood out to leave his team holding 5 - great shot, Gary! Alan had an awful game as skip for the triples, but he was lucky that Marlene and Josh played so well, and got him into such good positions, that it was 6 - 9 to the visitors going into the last end. With Orllwyn holding two and a likely measure at the end, Alan finally played a half decent bowl to take 3rd shot and the game 8 - 9. It’s not often that Alan plays a decent bowl, let alone a half-decent one.

Another team due to play twice last week was Llandygwydd who went to the seaside and came back with just sand and nothing much else to write about. Paul Edwards wrote: “The singles went comfortably Aberporth's way, as did the doubles.  This is not to say that the visitors were not playing well, just that the home team had the advantage of knowing their mats well and capitalised on it.

In the triples and rinks, the games were much closer.  Aberporth had opened a reasonable lead in both games, and even on the last end, Llandygwydd could have closed the gap.

Aberporth deserved their 8 - 0 win, but they would have to applaud Llandygwydd for their valiant efforts and the quality of their play.” I wonder if many people think that Aberporth deserved their win?

On the same night Pencnwc entertained Penrhiwllan in their rearranged game and came out on top 6-2.

Pat Imman wrote: “Pencnwc were one player short again this week and John G's name was drawn out of the hat to play twice.  He wasted no time in getting to grips with Richard, beating him 16-8, before moving onto the Rinks where he played at no.3 helping Mansel, Tom and Bob to win 13-9 against Tomas, Roy, Jackie and Peter.  The pairs of Pat and Roy beat George Griffiths and John Evans 11-7 in a fiercely fought contest.  Penrhiwllan's points came from their very strong triples team of Derrick, Jean and Islwyn who soundly beat Moira, Neil and Norma 1-15.

How nice it is to see new juniors playing.  Penrhiwllan must count themselves very fortunate to have such talented youngsters in their squad.  It was also nice to see Lynda just 8 days after her new-knee operation who turned up to cheer us on.  By the look of her it won't be long before she's playing again.”

I think other teams are beginning to think along the lines of “Kill Gerran” as the Pembrokeshire team hosted the on-form team of Pencnwc and yet, once again, Cilgerran only managed to get two points. In that match, as Pat Inman wrote: Pencnwc were two players short as Lynda was still recovering from her knee operation and Neil had gone walkabout to Loughborough!” Believe me, that’s a long walk. Two names were pulled out of the hat and John G and Pat drew the short straws.”

Now I know that the Quarrymen are a bit down on their luck this season, but that just rubs salt in the wound, doesn’t it? John G and Pat!! That’s the second time recently that Pat’s name has been spelt correctly! Also that was twice that John’s name was drawn. Now let’s have a look at those name-tabs: Pat Pat John John Pat John……….

“John G easily won the singles whilst the pairs was an extremely close match which ended up 10-10 with Maubrae and Jill against Pat and Roy.  The Pencnwc pair were 4 up going into the last end and feeling reasonably confident of a win, but Maubrae and Jill played a blinder and picked up the 4 they needed for a draw.  Well done them.

In the second half, the triples was another hard-fought match, with Bob, Kate and Margaret drawing 7-7 with Moira, Pat and Norma, whilst on the other mat Mansell, John G, Tom and Bob came out on top 17-6.  But as Tom remarked afterwards this was not the walkover the score might suggest.  Pencnwc had to work really hard for this result.”

I don’t really want to say much about Tygwydd’s effort against the Dolphins – apart from the fact that the visitors took six points home with them. It was that the triples team of David Farmer, David Beattie and Davina McCall won. I just know that we won’t hear much about anything else for quite a while. There was some strong play by Dolphins, who seemed to adjust to our mats easier than we did – with one exception, of course! Many of you reading this can imagine what the main topic of the speeches was – apart from Bruce’s fairy cakes of course. In the triples, somewhat amazingly David Farmer played whilst holding a sheep under his left arm – apparently it’s a present for his wife.

Finally, on Friday evening, Llechryd and Llandygwydd met in a re-arranged game. Llechryd flush with success from their visit to Mydroilyn, must have fancied their chances against the Lions with their tails between their legs from the night before. However the Lions woke up and roared away with all eight points. Kenneth hasn’t sent in a report, I wonder why not?

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 6th February – Week 19

The net result after the eight games played last week, is that two teams have swapped places:- Pencnwc and Penrhiwllan jumping over Llandygwydd (only the Cannons jumping the wrong way!).

Aberporth have passed the century with their result over the Lions, whilst the challenge from the Coachmen is stumbling. Manordeifi edge closer to the second position, but there is still a large gap to fill there, so I can’t imagine that the Coachmen are going to allow that to be filled. Attention is now turning to see how many games teams have played. Only one team has played all their games – which puts Dolphins position at the head of the chasing pack in jeopardy.

This week will probably see some more catching up, including the Cilgerran v Orllwyn game, which along with Cilgerran’s scheduled match against Mydroilyn will be of interest to see how the bottom of the table shapes up. Uncertain Coraclemen face the Seasiders. Home derby games are always of interest and there is intense rivalry to be settled as the Lions and the Tigers face each other. The Lions may be ahead in the table, but there’s no way that Tygwydd are going to lose this one (sheep or no sheep).

Michael Martin - 06.02.2010

Date Day Home team Away team Result
01.02.2010 Monday Capel Dewi Rhydlewis 4 - 4
02.02.2010 Tuesday Mydroilyn Llechryd 1 - 7
04.02.2010 Thursday Aberporth Llandygwydd 8 - 0
04.02.2010 Thursday Orllwyn Manordeifi 0 - 8
05.02.2010 Friday Cilgerran Pencnwc 2 - 6
05.02.2010 Friday Tygwydd Dolphins 2 - 6
(07.01.2010) Thursday Pencnwc Penrhiwllan 6 - 2
(15.01.2010) Friday Llechryd Llandygwydd 0 - 8
Penrhiwllan Bye

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WC 8th February

No Love Lost as Llandygwydd Trounce Tygwydd

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Tygwydd like cake
But points, only two

It was another week when a postponed game got played, and yet again the leaders stayed firmly in place.

At the beginning of the week Capel Dewi entertained Penrhiwllan and had an enjoyable time. As Pat of Pencnwc reported on their game, “a game of bowls and a chat with friends”. No mention here, though, of any bowls being played, but they shared out the points evenly to keep Eric happy.

Cilgerran were playing twice last week, but struck their usual form when they visited Mydroilyn on Tuesday. This was a comfortable victory for Mydroilyn – winning all four games. Later in the week, the re-arranged game against Orllwyn was better for the defenders of the castle as they secured six of the eight points.

It was quite a vital game for both Rhydlewis and Manordeifi when they met last week, as neither team, in second and third position in the League, wanted to drop any points. However in the end it was the home advantage that counted as Rhydlewis took six of the eight points. The pairs and triples games went to Rhydlewis, with both the home skips bowling particularly well, whilst Steve ‘Reliable’ Reynolds secured an equally good win for the visitors in the singles. The fours was a very close affair, with Manordeifi taking an early lead, only for Rhydlewis to come back to 11 - 11 going into the last end. The home team took the match victory with early woods around the jack and a count of 3. The overall score takes Rhydlewis’s league tally over the century mark.

The ‘derby’ game between Llandygwydd and Tygwydd produced some excellent play by the ‘home’ side, with only Darren Davies grabbing anything from the Lions for the Tigers. It was a pity that the Tygwydd players couldn’t find their form to give their captain a memorable birthday present, still you can’t have your cake and eat it!. Well apparently in David’s case you can. Whilst the singles was a comfortable game for Darren, the Tygwydd pair of Bruce and yours truly, came up against father and son team of Iestyn and Meurig James.

It was, in many observers opinion, the finest game that the young eighteen-year old (Iestyn that is) had played. In nearly every end he managed to have a wood on the jack, leaving little room for Tygwydd to do anything. (Don’t you just hate that?) The triples and the fours also suffered at the hands of the pride of Lions, unable to get suitable woods in place for the skips to get much for their side of the scoresheet. Together with the result from last Autumn, this means the two teams share the sixteen points evenly. Tygwydd will want to improve next week when they will play two games.

Both Dolphins and Pencnwc have been playing well this season – with Pencnwc saving all their energies, it seems, for the second half. So when they got together last week, both hoped to capture something to boast about. In the end they shared the points. As Pat the imman said in here report “Pencnwc still had a player short and this time it was Moira's turn to be pulled out of the hat (her name that is).  She played in the pairs and the triples.

In the singles John G came out on top against Margaret, 12-3, but this was a very hard fought game and much tighter than the score suggests.  Margaret played very well restricting John to singles for most of the game.  Dolphins ran away worthy winners in the pairs winning 17-5, and also in the triples winning 10-5.  It was Pencnwc's turn in the rinks to gain two points as they won 12-5.  A very enjoyable evening: a lovely way to spend a cold frosty night - a game of bowls and a chat with friends.”

I can’t help but notice that there was no mention of Neil, perhaps he’s found another lake to go and look at. Try Teifi Pools, Neil, plenty of lakes up there.

It was Llechryd’s turn to face the juggernaut of the Aberporth team and they were futher weakened by absent players. However as Kenneth said “this was not an excuse for losing the game 2 - 6, because the team played very well, but Aberporth were just that little bit stronger on the night.

In the singles Bill and Paul were neck and neck until Paul went up a gear in the last three ends to take 9 points running out winning 6 - 13. In the pairs, Emyr and Cory were just too strong for Peter and Elaine,  winning 6 – 4, whilst in the Triples Rhian,Winston and Bill came racing out of the blocks to go into a 9 - 0 lead, but then Margaret, Pauline and Kenneth from end six stopped the rot but were unable to catch up, losing in the end.

But what an exciting game for the rinks, it was neck and neck up to the very end, With David, Elaine, Bill and Geoff taking the points from, Gethin, Debbie, Pat and Brian winning 9 - 8.”

This was a fuller report from Kenneth, this week for me to get my teeth into, once they are out of the overnight mug!!! Yes thanks Butterfingers, just rub it in will you!

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 13th February – Week 20

The net result after the seven games played last week, is that two of the bottom-placed teams have swapped places:- Orllwyn and Mydroilyn. Whilst during the week there was some juggling of positions, all the rest ended up just where they were.

Attention must now be focusing on the fact that, generally speaking, there are just six more weeks in which someone must use to their benefit if we are to see the Seasiders experiencing that sinking feeling. The Coachmen are seven points behind and it is a major uphill task they face if they are to retain their title. Let’s be blunt, no one else can do it. However the Manors may well dispute this as they get to a pivotal game of the season for them – against Aberporth on Friday. The Coachmen meanwhile will be playing their ‘snowed-off’ game against Tygwydd.

Michael Martin - 14.02.2010

Date Day Home team Away team Result
08.02.2010 Monday Capel Dewi Penrhiwllan 4 - 4
09.02.2010 Tuesday Mydroilyn Cilgerran 8 - 0
11.02.2010 Thursday Dolphins Pencnwc 4 - 4
11.02.2010 Thursday Rhydlewis Manordeifi 6 - 2
11.02.2010 Friday Llandygwydd Tygwydd 6 - 2
12.02.2010 Friday Llechryd Aberporth 2 - 6
(11.12.2009) Friday Cilgerran Orllwyn 6 - 2
Orllwyn Bye

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WC 15th February

Aberporth show the Manors Who is Boss

Tygwydd played two games and failed, miserably so, to capture many points – falling victim to the Rhydlewis mats and a much revived Cilgerran side. This was a great result for Cilgerran and must have worried Penrhiwllan who have postponed this weeks game with them.

Penrhiwllan also fell victim to Llechryd. Kenneth wrote: "Penrhiwllan came to the lions den last night and were almost savaged. All games were very close and could have gone either way, in the singles Bill went into a 13 -4 lead then promptly went to sleep, winning in the end 13 - 12. While on the other mat Peter and Kenneth took until the 6th end before they woke up, coming from 8 - 2 down to win 12 - 8. In the triples Margaret, Pauline and Elaine went down 4 - 8 in a very hard fought contest between Derrek, Jean and Islwyn. The Rinks Started off very well for the four of Llechryd going into a 5 - 1 lead but allowed the visitor's to come back at them to 6 - 5 before charging ahead to take the last 2 ends to win 10 - 5 on the night, so well done David,David, Derek and Geoff. On the night llechryd were 6-2 winners; time for me to go now and study tactics for the visit of pencwnc next week."

The result of the week must surely be Aberporth’s trouncing of Manordeifi who needed to get something in this game to stand any possible hope of catching up the leaders.

Pencnwc and Dolphins drew whilst Llandygwydd continued on their quiet resurgence with a win over Orllwyn.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 20th February – Week 21

There were only two moves in the league table:

Dolphins' 8 - 0 victory over Mydroilyn and Manordeifi's 8 - 0 loss to Aberporth has boosted Dolphins above Manordeifi, at least for the time being. As Manordeifi have a game in hand, don't hold your breath!

Llechryd managed to leapfrog Tygwydd, this week. This was not so much to do with their 6 - 2 result against Penrhiwllan as it was to Tygwydd only managing 4 points from two games.

This week will see Manordeifi expecting better things over Mydroilyn whilst Orllwyn are shaking at the prospect of meeting Aberporth. An interesting game will be the Dolphins v Rhydlewis – again an important game for the former (did I say that?) champions, whilst Llandygwydd entertain Capel Dewi. Llechryd will be hoping for points from Pencnwc as they seem to be on a roll at the moment.

Is it just me, or has the keen-ness gone out of the competition now that the result seems a foregone conclusion? There seems more interest in seeing who will be third, than who will win.

Michael Martin - 20.02.2010

Date Day Home team Away team Result
18.02.2010 Thursday Dolphins Mydroilyn 8 - 0
18.02.2010 Thursday Orllwyn Llandygwydd 2 - 6
18.02.2010 Thursday Pencnwc Capel Dewi 4 - 4
19.02.2010 Friday Llechryd Penrhiwllan 6 - 2
19.02.2010 Friday Manordeifi Aberporth 0 - 8
19.02.2010 Friday Cilgerran Tygwydd 5 - 3
(07.01.2010) Thursday Rhydlewis Tygwydd 7 - 1
Rhydlewis Bye

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WC 22nd February

Blow the leadership battle – WHO WILL BE THIRD?

Last week, a chastened Manordeifi visited the northern cousins and managed to keep hold of four points. It was a close-run thing in the singles and it was a crime that Mydroilyn didn’t win this game, but Steve became reliable again and managed to always destroy any heads that David Crimes built up. In one end, David was holding about five when Steve put on a bit of weight and scattered the woods everywhere, leaving himself holding shot! This game was won comfortably, in the end, by Steve. The pairs game had Islwyn and John of Mydroilyn facing the experience of Stan and Pat of Manordeifi, but the new kids on the block took the game by three points. I suppose that they weren’t ‘on the block’ otherwise they would have lost!

The triples were won by Mydroilyn 6 – 4. Mo Jefferys, Pat Calloway and Sylvia Crimes overcoming Marlene, Colin and Alan. Colin’s back was playing up after his fall on the ice earlier, which handicapped his playing, whilst Alan Ford could not find his true form to rescue his team’s position. I don’t know, two Crimes in one team, they’ll be renaming Mydroilyn, Midsommer Mydroilyn soon.

The rinks was a good close game won by Manordeifi 6 – 9.

Overall that draw was a good result for Mydroilyn, and even better for Llandygwydd who now edged up into third place after their game against Capel Dewi. The eastern visitors were only able to capture two points from the Llandygwydd rinks team – which, I am informed, they should have won. Rhydlewis also won by the same margin, but as the leaders had got the maximum, again, they slip even further behind. With the Dolphins on their own mats, they ought to have got more out of this game, but the result pushes them below Manordeifi into fifth place.

I suppose it was inevitable when struggling Orllwyn met the rampant Seasiders, that eight more points were going to head west. It must be hard to get over that feeling of doom that descends when faced with such a strong team. Orllwyn have lost six games so far this season with scores of 8 – 0 against them, whilst Aberporth have also had six games with the same result - though the results were, putting it mildly, better for them! And so it came to pass, that now it’s seven games in each case.

Two games were postponed last week due to shortages of players. Pencnwc in particular are already down by three with the Innes in New Zealand studying lakes and one other out recovering from kneeling too much. Penrhiwllan also were unable to field a team against Cilgerran – I bet the Cannons were trembling after hearing about the Quarrymen’s previous game.

Tygwydd were not playing last week – and some would argue that they weren’t the week before either!

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 27th February – Week 22

Some slight juggling of position in the group immediately behind the leaders as the Lions roll up into third place, replacing Dolphins who slip down below the Manors.

Is it just me, or has the enthusiasm gone out of the competition now that the result seems a foregone conclusion? There seems more interest in seeing who will be third now, than who will win, and in a bizarre way, there is more competition to avoid being bottom. At least there is no relegation battle – you know the sort of thing, “The team that is last has to play outdoors this summer”!

Bear in mind that in the end, every team will have played 24 games – so most teams have to play four or five more games. This means that even third place Llandygwydd cannot overtake Aberporth now.

Michael Martin - 27.02.2010

Date Day Home team Away team Result
23.02.2010 Tuesday Mydroilyn Manordeifi 4 - 4
25.02.2010 Thursday Dolphins Rhydlewis 2 - 6
25.02.2010 Thursday Orllwyn Aberporth 0 - 8
25.02.2010 Thursday Llandygwydd Capel Dewi 6 - 2
26.02.2010 Friday Cilgerran Penrhiwllan Postponded
26.02.2010 Friday Llechryd Pencnwc Postponed
Tygwydd Bye

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WC 1st March

Llechryd Save all the Surprises for Friday

The week started over at Capel Dewi, where Tygwydd went with good intentions and high hopes. The spirit of the occasion, St David’s Day, was enhanced by Delyth dishing out the daffodils for all to wear, but it was not enough to secure any points. Due to some notable absences, Delyth’s name was, like her daffs, plucked out of the flower basket and she had to play in the pairs with Rhys Beattie. Yours truly had to play in the singles. Late in the game, I had to remind Gerwyn, of Capel Dewi, that after the third end I had been leading – however by the ninth end I was still on the same score, whilst Gerwyn was somewhat ahead of me. I did make a late flourish, but all in vain.

The Tygwydd pairs also made valiant efforts but the skill of the Dewi pair secured their victory in that game as well.

The title of ‘man of the match’ must surely go to Elinor Flello of Capel Dewi, who, as lead in the triples managed to get her woods on to the jack on nearly every occasion. For a long while this was a closely fought contest, but in the end Peter Fleming’s team secured their victory here as well. The rinks was a much closer game that could have gone either way, but the last two ends enabled Capel Dewi to secure all eight points.

On Thursday, Aberporth welcomed Mydroilyn into the cauldron that seems to be the situation for anyone visiting the Seasiders this year. As Paul Edwards reported, “The singles looked as though it was going all Aberporth's way as a commanding lead was established, but Mydroilyn's David Crimes had no intention of giving up without a fight, and from 11 - 1 down, he managed to claw back five points over the next few ends.  The home player heeded the wake-up call and pulled his game back into shape, taking 3 more points over the last two ends.

It must be said that the pairs was dominated by Aberporth's Emyr and Cory, but that said, Jake played an excellent game as lead for Mydroilyn.  At only 13, he shows great promise for the future. The triples was a tighter game.  It was always under Aberporth's control, but was winnable by the visitors right up to the end.

Aberporth's fours team has struggled at various times during the year.  Not so this week; the home four romped their way to a very strong victory.  Special mention must go to Jonathan, playing number 3 for Aberporth, for the second week running, he bowled his socks off!

The 8 – 0 result was perhaps not unexpected, but certainly proved not to be a foregone conclusion.”

I suspect that many reading this will wonder if there’s anything in the rules about playing with no socks, Paul!

On the same night, the rising star of Pencnwc met the setting sun of Manordeifi. As reported by Lynda X, of the Redcoats, “a very enjoyable night of bowls again.” Pencnwc are still short of players with Mansel’s name being picked ‘out of the hat’ and having to play the singles game against Steve Reynolds, which resulted in a very close game. It was all square on the 11th end with Steve taking a single shot on the last end to win by one shot. So very well done Mansel.

Moira & Norma also had their names picked out and played the pairs against Pat & Catherine, with some good bowls played by both pairs it was Manordeifi again who won – this time 10 - 5.

Triples were John G., Moira and Norma  v Marlene, Josh and Alan. Again a very good game with Pencnwc winning this one by 4 shots; final score 9 - 5.

Mansel, Tom, Roy & Bob played the fours against Stan, Sue, Robin & Gary. It was a tight game but Pencnwc picked up a 4 on the 6th end and the score was 5 all with Pencnwc running out winners at 8-7 in the end. With only seven players around, Pencnwc did well to get this draw against a team like Manordeifi.

The final game played last Thursday was Orllwyn’s match against Dolphins. Now, on paper it would be easy to think that Dolphins should get maximum points here, but Orllwyn fought hard to keep three of the eight points. In fact, of the bottom three clubs, they were the only ones to get any points at all, with both Cilgerran and Mydroilyn failing to capture anything.

Cilgerran were up against top flight Rhydlewis on Friday and after their recent success must have hoped for something, but it was not to be.

On Friday Llandygwydd faced up to Penrhiwllan. Both of these teams are on a par with each other, so this was going to be a tight match. I have no details but Llandygwydd managed to keep their new-found league position by securing five points, pushing Penrhiwllan down one more place in the table.

The surprise of the week must surely go to the re-arranged game from January, played on Friday, when Manordeifi hosted Llechryd and found themselves caught on the wrong foot (would that be a foot-fault?), as their visitors took away six points with them! I am most surprised that no report on this game came from either team – particularly from Kenneth – but I suppose Llechryd are still out celebrating and organising an open-top bus to go up and down the hill in Llechryd.

THE LEAGUE TABLE – AS OF SATURDAY, 6th March – Week 23

Four teams changed their position last week, with Dolphins and Manordeifi exchanging position and the same for Capel Dewi and Penrhiwllan. The two leaders romped home again with maximum points whilst the bottom only favoured Orllwyn. Manordiefi’s additional game, however, put them back up into joint third position, but only just.

Next week Aberporth visit Penrhiwllan whilst Rhydlewis visit Llandygwydd. Both of these games could be close. Dolphins will be hoping for a strong win against Cilgerran whilst cheering for a Rhydlewis win so that Dolphins can capture third place. Manordeifi can only watch as they won’t be playing. Two teams very close in the table face each other as Tygwydd visit Llechryd.

Michael Martin - 05.03.2010

Date Day Home team Away team Result
01.03.2010 Monday Capel Dewi Tygwydd 8 - 0
04.03.2010 Thursday Aberporth Mydroilyn 8 - 0
04.03.2010 Thursday Orllwyn Dolphins 3 - 5
04.03.2010 Thursday Pencnwc Manordeifi 4 - 4
05.03.2010 Friday Cilgerran Rhydlewis 0 - 8
05.03.2010 Friday Llandygwydd Penrhiwllan 5 - 3
(08.01.2010) Friday Manordeifi Llechryd 2 - 6
Llechryd Bye

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WC 8th March

Date Day Home team Away team Umpire
08.03.2010 Monday Capel Dewi Orllwyn Michael Martin
09.03.2010 Tuesday Mydroilyn Pencnwc Paul Edwards
11.03.2010 Thursday Dolphins Cilgerran
11.03.2010 Thursday Penrhiwllan Aberporth Bill Jones
11.03.2010 Friday Llandygwydd Rhydlewis
12.03.2010 Friday Llechryd Tygwydd Jan Wallace
Manordeifi Bye

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WC 15th March

Date Day Home team Away team Umpire
16.03.2010 Tuesday Mydroilyn Capel Dewi Bill Coombs
18.03.2010 Thursday Aberporth Pencnwc Michael Martin
18.03.2010 Thursday Penrhiwllan Manordeifi
18.03.2010 Thursday Rhydlewis Llechryd
19.03.2010 Friday Cilgerran Llandygwydd Jan Wallace
19.03.2010 Friday Tygwydd Orllwyn Jean Jones
Dolphins Bye

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WC 22nd March

Date Day Home team Away team Umpire
22.03.2010 Monday Capel Dewi Llechryd Jean Jones
25.03.2010 Thursday Dolphins Penrhiwllan Michael Martin
25.03.2010 Thursday Orllwyn Cilgerran
25.03.2010 Thursday Rhydlewis Aberporth Bill Jones
26.03.2010 Friday Llandygwydd Pencnwc
26.03.2010 Friday Manordeifi Tygwydd Peter Fleming
Mydroilyn Bye

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