With as many as five first team players unavailable for a variety of reasons, it was a somewhat weakened team that travelled to Merthyr West End for the first teams penultimate fixture of the season, and unfortunately they fell to a resounding 28 shot defeat, and were unable to pick up any points as all four rinks were beaten.
With regular 'skips' Alex Meddins and Mike Ackland both unavailable, Richard Cowling came in to skip a rink for the first time this season, and with Captain Dave Parker at lead, and the experienced Gerry White and Andrew Harvey they were going along nicely and leading 15-13 after 15 ends before inexplicably the wheels came off as they dropped 15 shots over the last six ends to slide to a 15-28 defeat.
Chris Blake's rink got off to a good start, moving 7-1 in front after the first five ends before being pegged back after dropping a five on end seven, and falling behind when dropping a four on end 11. They continued to battle gamely and finished well before finishing three shots short at 16-19.
Meanwhile Clive Todd's rink got off to difficult start, falling 2-11 behind after the first seven ends, but then began to slowly grind their way back into the levelling matters at 13-13 on end 16. The 'game changer' then came with Dinas holding five shots, only for home skip Mike Jones to turn over the head with his last bowl. This restored the home rinks momentum and they eventually ran out victors 18-15.
Ritchie Janes' rink meanwhile had a difficult afternoon, dropping counts of six, five and four in the opening 13 ends from which they never recovered as they went down to a 18-27 loss.
Overall this was another disappointing afternoon for the Villagers, who now go into their final game of the season away to Barry Athletic needing everyone pulling together to get a positive result in a relegation decider.
J.Ackland, T.Hurcom. G.Griffiths, C.Todd (15-18) J.Coles, D.Vowles, M.Edwards, R.Janes (18-27) C.Ackland, A.Locker, M.Gershenson, C.Blake (16-19) D.Parker, G.White, A.Harvey, R.Cowling (15-28)