Dinas 1st team travelled to the Gower coast on Saturday, 21st June, to face Lougher in the first knockout round of this season's Carruthers Shield tournament. With a handful of players unavailable it was a much changed team that included a first team debut for the very promising Joe Coles.
A bumpy and uneven playing surface was a challenge for all concerned and Lougher's home green advantage was certainly evident in the opening exchanges as they held a 28-21, seven shot, advantage after seven ends had been completed.
During the middle third Dinas got into their stride and were able to overturn the deficit and establish a slender four shot advantage, 54-50, largely courtesy of Chris Blake's rink who had moved eleven shots clear.
As the home side wilted Dinas continued to push on, none more so than Gareth Griffiths' rink, who won eight of their last nine ends, to come from 6-15 behind at one stage, and romp home by 10 shots 27-17.
Elsewhere the ever reliable rink 'Ackland' also finished strongly to record a 12 shot 25-13 win as Dinas eventually came through with an overall 12 shot 85-73 well deserved victory.
Dinas will now host Bryn Welfare in Round 2 of the competition, with the tie to be played on Saturday 5th July 2014.
D.Parker, J.Ackland, C.Ackland, M.Ackland (25-13) T.Hurcom, A.Desrosiers, D.Vowles, G.Griffiths (27-17) C.Parsons, A.Harvey, H.Meddins, C.Blake (25-19) D.James, J.Coles, A.Jones, R.Janes (8-24)
It was smiles all round in the clubhouse as the PG2 team had a fantastic result in beating an always strong Whitchurch 2nds at home, 70-64, not only avenging a 17 shot defeat at the end of May, but also collecting an invaluable 11 points into the bargain.
Dinas welcomed back Peter Critcher, after a 12 month absence, and he showed he'd lost none of his wily skills, helping Captain Paul Marks bring his rink home by 9 shots with a 23-14 winning margin. Chris Bates also had a good afternoon, winning 13 ends to lead his rink home by 10, with a 21-11 victory.
The Dinas points were completed by Chairman Neil Giles who, ably assisted by Alex Meddins, battled away for a well deserved 15-15 draw.
G.Parr, R.Diment, M.Smith, C.Bates (21-11) M.Diment, G.Leach, P.Critcher, P.Marks (23-14) T.Gittins, J.Follon, A.Meddins, N.Giles (15-15) G.Weston, G.Duggan, C.Scott, J.Porter (11-24)