It was a mixed day for Dinas Powis bowlers on 25th July with the first team falling to a narrow home defeat whilst the A Team maintained their unbeaten season with an excellent away victory over their nearest title challengers.
Dinas first team entertained Penylan in what was always going to be a tight encounter, with both teams looking to bounce back following Carruthers Shield defeats the previous Saturday, as the sun shone on both sides as they took to the green and play got underway.
After the early exchanges and the completion of seven ends the game was evenly contested. Mike Ackland (11-9) and Chris Blake's (9-2) rinks were ahead for the home team, but Alex Meddins rink got off to a horrible start falling 1-14 behind, such that the visitors held a five shot advantage of 27-32 at this stage.
Unfortunately Meddin's rink couldn't unlock the stranglehold that Daniel Salmon's quartet had on their rink and fell further behind over the course of the next seven ends, at one stage being 1-28 behind, before mounting a spirited comeback to recover 11 shots over the final six ends to finish 12-28.
Chris Blake's rink were never behind as they registered two points with a very solid 22-13 victory whilst Ritchie Janes rink, with the welcome return of Chris Ackland following illness, played out a tense 17-17 draw against David Harding, winning the final end to secure a 3rd valuable point for the villagers.
Mike Ackland's rink were also involved in a tense encounter against Mark Harding. Having flown in to a very early 10 shot lead they then slipped eight shots behind only to fight themselves back into contention before falling to a narrow 21-24 shot defeat, leaving Penylan victors by 72-82.
Dinas will hope for a reversal in fortunes when they visit Penylan next Saturday in the return fixture.
H.Meddins, D.Parker, A.Hodges, C.Blake (22-13) J.Ackland, T.Hurcom, G.Griffiths, M.Ackland (21-24) C.Ackland, D.Vowles, M.Edwards, R.Janes (17-17) G.White, A.Harvey, C.Todd, A.Meddins (12-28)
The A team meanwhile maintained their unbeaten record, registering an eighth successive win as they visited their main rivals for the Division 2 crown, Cardiff (Sophia Gardens) and returned home with a super 12 point win.
All four rinks were very evenly contested and at the half way stage of the match Dinas, who had started well, held a very healthy looking 49-26 shot lead, this largely courtesy of Paul Marks' rink who had thrust into a 12 shot, 19-7 lead, having picked up a five and six in the opening six ends.
Unfortunately Marks and Co couldn't maintain their form and as the home rink fought back they flagged somewhat, picking up only four further shots over the final 10 ends before holding on for a hard fought three shot win at 23-20.
With Andre Desrosier leading from the front, he brought his vastly experienced rink home by five shots, and whilst Captain Chris Bates' rink fell away a little over the final five ends they managed to cling on to a slender two shot win at 20-18.
Alun Jones' rink meanwhile were engaged in a very low scoring encounter, winning 12 ends in recording their 13 shots, and whilst restricting their opposition to only nine ends, the loss of a four early on proved dear as they went down to a narrow 13-15 defeat.
Overall though this was an excellent day for the A team who returned victors by 77-69, to stretch their lead at the top of the league table, and know they will again have to be on their mettle next weekend when they host the same opposition.
G.Duggan, J.Coles, A.Locker, C.Bates (20-18) D.James, R.Diment, N.Giles, A.Desrosier (21-16) B.Harris, J.Follon, C.Scott, P.Marks (23-20) M.Diment, G.Leach, M.Seaford, A.Jones (13-15)