Dinas Powis first team entertained Aberdare Harlequins on Saturday 15th August looking for a win to boost confidence following a run of defeats, and during an animated and at times feisty encounter fell agonisingly short, losing by 69-76 but collecting four valuable points in the process.
Dinas started the match in determined fashion and indeed at the half way stage held a five shot lead at 35-30. The visitors, who are contesting a PG1 and Carruthers Shield double, fought back and despite the match remaining in the balance right up to the final ends they were able to hold on to their advantage.
There were good victories for Chris Blake and Clive Todd's rinks at 21-17 and 19-12 respectively and whilst disappointed in defeat Captain Dave Parker will have been pleased to see a more battling display across the four rinks, which will serve the team well in their last two fixtures of the season.
D.Parker, H.Meddins, A.Hodges, C.Blake (21-17) J.Ackland, T.Hurcom, C.Parsons, M.Ackland (14-22) G.White, D.Vowles, M.Edwards, R.Janes (15-25) M.Gershenson, A.Harvey, G.Griffiths, C.Todd (19-12)
Elsewhere however there was better news as the 'A' team got back to winning ways in their quest for promotion with an excellent 89-56 (12 points) victory away at Cardiff Athletic.
Dinas started brightly on three rinks, and after 10 ends had been completed were nine shots to the good leading 40-31, up on three rinks, with Neil Giles' rink trailing 7-16.
Club Captain Paul Marks lead the second half charge, as his rink scored 16 shots in winning seven of the last 11 ends, to come home 28-12 winners, and this was supported by Alun Jones rink, who themselves won the last eight ends to register a comprehensive 21-7 shot victory. The win was rounded off with Andre Desrosiers quartet cruising to a 23-13 shot win following a mid game 'blip' where they dropped seven shots in two ends.
Following previous back-to-back defeats this was an excellent display by the 'A' team who now stand on the cusp of promotion. With three games to play they now stand 10 points clear of third placed Cardiff, and have a game in hand. Their final league game, against current league leaders Ystradfechan looks like being an enthralling encounter.
M.Diment, G.duggan, D.Ireland, A.Jones (21-7) T.Gittins, G.Leach, M.Seaford, A.Desrosiers (23-13) B.Harris, J.Follon, A.Locker, P.Marks (28-12) D.James, H.Lamont, C.Scott, N.Giles (17-24)