Tenby 101 (14 pts) Haverfordwest Castle 52 (0)

The Tenby Sharks continued their league programme against Haverfordwest Castle. Top of division one having a 100 per cent start to the season, they were looking to extend their lead against their north county opponents.

Rink one: Tenby saw the return to action of Luke Rees, the Under 25 international, who has been absent due to work commitments. It was great to see the likeable and talented young man again. Luke teamed up with Huw Nicholas, Jon Webb and Craig Guymer. Eight-three up after five ends, the rink extended their lead to 16-3 after 10 ends, with no big counts but consistent scoring. The Castle rink, skipped by G. Walters, made some inroads into the lead and at 15 ends were behind by 18-9. A solid finish saw the home side win by 25-13.

Rink two: The returning Kieran Peregrine skipped John Roberts, Steve Sheldon and Mike Jackson. Yours truly sometimes wonders how a Rafa Benitez look-a-like gets on with two die-hard Manchester United supporters like Jon and Red Steve. However, judging by the result of this game, they seem to get on fine. Scoring a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in their game - they almost won the ultimate - however the 7 and 8 evaded them on the 'bingo scorecard!'.

Up 6-3 at five ends, they continued their scoring spree and led at 10 ends by 16-5 and 27-9 at 15 ends. However, Haverfordwest Castle scored on six out of the last seven ends.

Rink three: Andrew Muskett returned to top rink this week - albeit without his regular third Peter Day who was rested due to FA Cup action with his beloved Aston Villa team. Andrew, who as you should know by now supports Wigan, could not empathise with Peter on their FA Cup win as they were soundly beaten - to the joy of Ben Cloake - by Arsenal 4-0. Chris Court got his league season off to a win and put it down to playing with a superior skip. The rink scored a 1, 2, 3 and 4, but fell short of the Peregrine's 'bingo' tally. However, four counts of four secured a 30-11 victory; Aaron Lloyd and Dai Rees making up the rink.

Rink four: Ryan Thomas took over skipping duties from Paul Diment, with Joe Richards playing third, Ben Sheldon leading and Cameron White playing second. After six ends, Diment received a call from the Dinosaur Park to get back as quickly as possible with his rink being 7-1 down. However, credit to the rink as they slowly clawed their way back into contention, scoring on alternative ends for the next six ends, picking up 11 shots to their opponents' three. From end 13 onwards, scoring counts of ones were shared, with the exception of a three count for the Castle 'triple', to produce a final score of 17-16. However, as the opponents were playing with three players, they had to deduct a further 25 per cent, with the final official scoreline being 17-12.

In summary, a good day for the team (Peter Day excluded) and the team are setting a very early pace in the defence of their league title and the potential of recording a record eighth consecutive championship success. At present, their closest challengers are the Five Arches Dolphins, who poured more misery on Whitland with a 13-1 victory. Many congratulations to them and let's see if both teams can maintain their form to secure a first ever one, two in the league - rounded off with a Carruthers win and maybe even a Pulitzer prize for yours truly for my newspaper reports. But let's not get too ahead of ourselves - for the moment at least.

Whitland 51 (1 pt.) Five Arches 95 (13)

On rink one, Ashley, Dai, Tom and Ken battled out a draw against Dan Jenner. Leading by a slim margin at the halfway point, the Five Arches quartet slightly lost their way in second half and some fine bowling by the Whitland rink enabled them to pick up two shots on the final end to tie the game at 16 shots apiece.

However, it was the remaining three rinks which provided all the excitement. Ben Simmons and his rink of Steve, Jonno and John provided most of the fireworks. With Ben producing some amazing saving bowls and the rest of rink playing superbly, they increased their narrow two-shot lead at tea to run out comfortable winners by 27 shots to 16.

On the next rink, Simon, Neil, Peter and Kev played against Whitland's former Gold Cup winner Steve Reese and his rink. In a game evenly poised after 11 ends at 10 shots each, Simon and his men went into overdrive in the second half to completely outplay their opponents. They won nine of the 10 ends, scoring 19 shots to one, to complete a fine victory by 29 shots to 11.

Finally, captain Ben and his rink also joined in the fun. Playing against last week's Rossiters Cup winners, Ben and his gang ran away in the first half to be leading by 13 shots to one after eight ends. Steady accumulation from there onwards ensured they also won by a comfortable margin of 23 shots to eight.

A fantastic performance against one of the best teams in the league on their home patch. This must rank as one of the Five Arches' finest wins in the last 10 years.

Rink scores (Five Arches first, Whitland skips only):

Ken Lloyd, Tom Lewis, Dai Spencer, Ashley Hooper 16; Dan Jenner 16.

John Rees, Jon Hubbard, Steve Davies, Ben Simmons 27; Liam Price 16.

Kevin Lewis, Peter Hooper, Neil Dickinson, Simon Evans 29; Steve Reese 11.

Roger Thomas, Tony Powling, Ben Cloake 23; Glyndwr Thomas 8.

Pembroke Dock

Park 4 pts.

Tenby Arches

Ladies 2

With one end to play, it looked as if the Arches ladies would be returning to Tenby from their visit to Pembroke Dock Park with nothing to show for their endeavours, but Alison, along with Lynn, Audrey and Julia, were to change this.

The Arches' second rink, skipped by Carol and supported by Margaret, Meryl and Gerry, had finished their game losing 27 shots to 15 to the Park rink skipped by Margaret Lewis, so they were able to add their support to their colleagues who were about to start their last end one shot down.

Lynn and Audrey got woods into the head, only for the Park third to move the jack off centre and get shot with her wood, which ended up in the ditch. Julia, playing her first league game of the season, came to the mat and drew the shot to tie the game. Penny Brickle, the Park skip, failed to change the head with her first wood, but Alison had no such problems, playing a perfect wood to draw in a second shot and take the Arches' ladies into the lead. It was down now to Penny to recover the situation, but she failed with her last shot. The game was won and Alison had no need to bowl her last wood.

Pembroke Dock Park won the game overall by 11 shots, but Tenby Arches Ladies, who are sponsored by Tenby House, secured two league points.

Tenby Arches

Ladies 6 pts Haverfordwest Picton Ladies 0

To use an old football cliché, this was a game of two halves, with the Five Arches ladies, sponsored by Tenby House, trailing Haverfordwest Picton ladies after 10 ends by 27 shots to 19, but all was to change after the break.

The Arches ladies came back onto the green with 11 ends to play completely revitalised, turning an eight shots deficit into a comfortable 24 shots win. Was this due to the encouragement they got from Wigan at the tea-break, we will never know, but the Arches ladies, during this period, collectively played some of the best bowls this season?

With the Tenby 'Sharks' playing a home league game, the ladies were on rinks five and six. Julia skipped the inside rink, with Carol, Mair and Gerry in support. At 10 ends, the Arches ladies were trailing by 14 shots to 9, but then picked up 29 shots, including two counts of five and a six and conceding just four. This was the Arches at their very best, finishing the game by winning 38 shots to 18.

Alison and her team of Lynn, Lon and Helen were on the outside rink and trailed by three shots at the break. They then went on to win eight of the remaining 11 ends and secure a 23 shots to 19 victory, during which they picked up two counts of six.

The final score was an impressive 61 shots to 37 victory for the Arches ladies.

Whist Results

Monday, May 11: top - Sandra Milward, 176; 1st lady - Pearl Thomas, 173; 2nd lady - Mair Marquiss, 169; 1st gent - Gladys Irvine, 173; 2nd gent - Pauline Barnikel, 169; 1st half - Margaret Hill, 91; 2nd half - Mary Renowden, 90; longest sitter - Vi Roberts, 11; lowest score - Joan Webb, 144; raffless - Joan Webb and Sandra Milward.

Monday, May 17: top - Elsie Breadnam, 178; 1st lady - Mary Renowden, 174; 2nd lady - Mair Marquiss, 172, 1st gent - Pauline Barnikel, 162; 2nd gent - Sandra Milward, 158; 1st half - Joan Webb, 80; 2nd half - Margaret Hill, 78; longest sitter - Pearl Thomas, 9; raffles - Sandra Milward and Pauline Barnikel.

Bonus Ball

The winner on Saturday, May 23, was Carol Lloyd, with number 25, and the winner for Saturday, May 30, was Joseph, with number 24, congratulations to you both.

Forthcoming Fixtures

League games: Tomorrow (Saturday) - Tenby men will be playing away at Fishguard & Goodwick, 2 pm start, Five Arches men will be playing at home against Saundersfoot, 2 pm start. Tenby Ladies will be playing St. Issell's at home, 2 pm start.

Friendly: Today (Friday), Tenby v Isle of Wight, 2 pm.