As the Munro Cup midweek league rapidly draws to a conclusion, the final destination of this years league title remains in the balance, with three teams, Dinas Powis, Llantwit Major and Penarth Rectory Road all hoping to lift the crown.
And so it was that last Wednesday, August 7th 2013, the Dinas midweek side travelled to league leaders Llantwit Major knowing that nothing less than victory on the night would maintain their outside hopes of winning the league.
With a clear objective in mind Dinas started in confident and purposeful fashion, and after six of the 18 designated ends had established a 13 shot advantage (30-17) and led on three of the four rinks.
Over the middle six ends Llantwit fought back and were able to narrow the gap by six shots with Dinas then in front by just seven (46-39). At this stage Paul Marks was playing a Captain's role as his rink held a healthy nine shot advantage whilst there was very little between the remaining three rinks, with everything to play for.
As the game played out to its finale Alun Jones enjoyed a right royal battle against friend and erstwhile team mate Graeme Jones before finally succumbing to a narrow 16-17 defeat. Elsewhere Gareth Griffith's rink allowed an early lead to slip away before finishing strongly as they also had to endure a one shot reverse by 17-18.
Better news was to follow for Dinas however as Richie Janes' rink also finished strongly to win the final two ends and post a hard earned 15-12 victory, whilst Paul Marks and his rink powered to an emphatic 21-8 triumph to see Dinas inflict a first Munro Cup defeat of the season on their hosts, recording an 69-55 (10pt) win.
With only one game remaining this win enabled Dinas to narrow the gap on Llantwit at the top of the table to five points, and whilst their rivals still have two games to play, with both Llantwit Major and Dinas still to play third placed Penarth Rectory Road the final destination of the league title remains in the balance.
G.Leach, R.Diment, A.Locker, P.Marks (21-8) J.Coles, G.Duggan, M.Seaford, R.Janes (15-12) J.Ackland, H.Lamont, T.Hurcom, G.Griffiths (17-18) B.Griffiths, R.Fear, C.Bates, A.Jones (16-17)