Dinas Powis 1st team brought Captain Ritchie Janes' three year tenure to an end in splendid style, with an excellent win over title chasing Ely Valley last Saturday, 13th September 2014.
Indeed it was the captain himself who led his largely inexperienced rink, of Joe Coles, Tim Hurcom and Paul Marks to a superb 21-15, six shot rink win, which was backed up by Gareth Griffiths leading his rink, of Dave Parker, Hugh Meddins and Andrew Harvey to a 26-19 seven shot win over a Mike Prosser quartet.
Elsewhere an experienced four of David Vowles, Chris Scott, Clive Todd and Alex Meddins chipped in with a 17-17 draw as Dinas recorded a 78-71 victory, their fourth of the ten game league campaign.
With any lingering thoughts of relegation from the top tier extinguished, Dinas were in relaxed and positive mood and just edged the early exchanges, holding a slender four shot 23-19 lead after seven ends.
Ely Valley then had the better of the middle third, overturning the home team's advantage and themselves moving into a narrow three shot lead. At this stage the rinks were shared, with both sides leading on two rinks, with little between all four rinks.
As the game drew to a close the pressure to record a win however appeared to tell on the visitors, who seemed to wilt as Dinas upped the tempo. Captain Janes' rink won five of their last seven ends, to extend their winning advantage, whilst Meddins' rink did likewise to come from five behind to snatch a last end draw. Despite dropping a six on the 18th end Griffiths rink were also able to extend their winning margin to seven over the final third.
The achievement of the afternoon however must belong to 'rink Ackland', who, contrary to persistent misinformation, finished well ahead of all the other rinks and were enjoying a refreshing drink as the game came to a close. Well done Mike.
The 11 point home win for Dinas certainly put a dent in Ely Valley's hopes of winning the title, and they now face a winner takes all final match next weekend to decide the destiny of the league crown.
J.Coles, T.Hurcom, P.Marks, R.Janes (21-15) D.Parker, H.Meddins, A.Harvey, G.Griffiths (26-19) D.Vowles, C.Scott, C.Todd, A.Meddins (17-17) J.Ackland, P.Critcher, C.Ackland, M.Ackland (14-20)