Dinas 1st team travelled to Swansea for their last 16 Carruthers Shield tie against Old Landorians in optimistic mood having enjoyed a very solid season to date, with seven victories from their eight matches played. Unfortunately, that optimism proved to be misplaced as a 'bad day at the office' saw the team exit the competition following a heavy defeat from which they'll have to quickly bounce back.
On the day the Landorians made maximum use of home advantage on a tricky green. After seven ends Dinas were well in the game and whilst behind on all four rinks the home teams lead was only 10 shots, and at this stage the visitors would have hoped to have settled on the green and mount a challenge. In the event the exact opposite happened and over the middle seven ends the wheels came off for Dinas as Landorians piled on a further 27 shots to effectively seal the match.
Chris Blake's four battled on gamely to the end in going down by seven shots and register the pick of the Dinas scorecards.
It was a hugely disappointing afternoon for Captain Dave Parker and his men and there will undoubtedly be some head scratching to try to work out went so badly wrong, but then again there are days when you have to hold your hands up, congratulate your opponents on a thoroughly merited victory and simply move on. So, congratulations to Old Landorians and good luck in the last eight.
J.Coles, D.Ireland, D.Vowles, R.Janes (9-21) H.Meddins, D.Parker, A.Hodges, C.Blake (17-24) G.White, A.Harvey, C.Todd, A.Meddins (14-24) J.Ackland, T.Hurcom, G.Griffiths, M.Ackland (13-35)
There was some cheer for the club however as the A Team secured their seventh successive PG2 league victory with an excellent 92-61 (12 point) win against Pontyclun, and this achieved playing one man short, following a no-show.
There were good wins for the rinks of Alun Jones, 14 shots, Andre Desrosier, 13 and Chris Scott 12, and whilst Paul Marks fell to defeat they kept things as tight as possible with only three players, and six woods, to ensure the victory was secured as the team consolidate their position at the head of the PG2 Division 2 League table.
A.Gittins, H.Lamont, C.Bates, C.Scott (22-10) D.James, R.Diment, N.Giles, A.Desrosier (27-14) M.Diment, G.Leach, M.Seaford, A.Jones (27-13) B.Harris, A.Locker, P.Marks (16-24) * (6 woods only)