There were smiles aplenty in the Dinas Powis clubhouse yesterday, Saturday 26th July, as both the PG1 and PG2 teams won their respective fixtures to complete an invaluable 'double' over Ystradfechan.
The first team travelled up the Rhondda valley looking for their first league win of the season, and in sizzling hot weather they were delighted to come away with a hard fought 79-72 win, collecting 10 points into the bargain.
The match itself was close during the early exchanges, with little to choose between the teams, and after 11 ends it was the home team who held an eight shot 45-37 lead. At this stage Alex Meddins rink were in a strong position (TH wrong bias notwithstanding!!) leading 15-4, whilst Gareth Griffiths' rink suffered a poor run and fell 5-17 behind, with the other two rinks being keenly contested.
It was better news for Dinas during the second half, as the game began to swing in their favour. Meddins four, inspired by some excellent Clive Todd woods, continued to build their lead, eventually winning by 25-10. Captain Ritchie Janes rink were able to put together a good run over five ends, scoring 12 shots and conceding one, to come home by four shots, 21-17. Meanwhile, Griffiths' rink staged an excellent fight back, winning eight of the last 10 ends, reducing their deficit from 12 to four shots, before eventually narrowly going down 16-20.
Mike Ackland's rink were the last rink to finish, and despite going down to defeat they battled hard to ensure that victory was secured for the team.
C.Parsons, T.Hurcom, C.Todd, A.Meddins (25-10) J.Coles, A.Harvey, H.Meddins, R.Janes (21-17) D.James, C.Scott, P.Marks, G.Griffiths (16-20) D.Parker, J.Ackland, D.Vowles, M.Ackland (17-25)
In the corresponding PG2 fixture, Dinas, with very much a scratch side, and three new bowlers, recorded a fantastic win, squeaking home by two shots, 75-73 and securing 12 points.
Chris Bates and Peter Critcher both used all their experience to steer their rinks to identical 19-18 victories on rinks that were very keenly contested throughout, whilst Andre Desrosier, ably supported by Dave Ireland, came out on the right side of the scorecard, with a 19-12 win.
Whilst Alun Jones' rink slipped to an 18-25 defeat, it was they who effectively secured the victory, scoring an impressive four on the last end to clinch the win.
With the fixtures being reversed next weekend Dinas will be looking to back-up this success and hopefully secure a second double
T.Gittins, G.Duggan, D.Ireland, A.Desrosier (19-12) M.Diment, J.Daley, M.Seaford, C.Bates (19-18) P.Hanley, P.Clee, N.Giles, P.Critcher (19-18) R.Diment, T.Nurse, J.Porter, A.Jones (18-25)
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