Dinas Powis bowlers certainly experienced a full range of mixed emotions on Saturday 12th September as firstly the 'A' team recorded an excellent away win at Guest Memorial to confirm their promotion, and immediate return to PG2 Division 1 only for news to filter through that Barry Athletic's victory over Ely Valley had consigned the 1st team to relegation from the PG1 top flight.
First the good news. Having been comprehensively outplayed and beaten by worthy PG2 champions Ystradfechan in their previous fixture, Dinas Powis 'A' team knew that 10 points from their last two PG2 fixtures would secure them the runners-up spot in the league table, and despite the previous weeks setback they travelled up to Dowlais in confident mood to tackle 4th in the league Guest Memorial.
That confidence was well founded as the team recorded a handsome 19 shot victory, 71-52, picking up 12 points along the way to secure promotion, registering their 10th win from 13 fixtures.
All four rinks on the day did the team proud, and indeed a full house of points might have been achieved had Alun Jones' rink not thrown away a very healthy lead, before going down to a single shot defeat.
No doubt the win and promotion will have cheered 'A' team Captain Chris Bates as he continues his recuperation from his mid season illness, and the team can all reflect on an excellent season's play.
T.Gittins, J.Follon, M.Seaford, P.Marks (17-10) D.Vowles, G.Leach, J.Coles, C.Scott (20-9) M.Gershenson, R.Diment, N.Giles, A.Desrosier (19-17) M.Diment, T.Hurcom, D.Ireland, A.Jones (15-16)
The 1st team ventured to Barry Island on Saturday 29th August for their final game of the season, in what was very much a relegation 'six pointer' against Barry Athletic, knowing victory would all but secure their place in the top division for another season.
Having got off to a flying start, by the mid way point of the game Dinas were handily placed but disappointedly fell away across the final seven ends or so and eventually went down to a 75-92 defeat, collecting three points along the way. This left the door open for the Athletic who on Saturday 12th September secured victory at Ely Valley to consign Dinas to relegation for the second time in the last four years.
Having started the season well, winning three of their first four league games, a barren run of six consecutive defeats was unexpected and newly appointed 1st team Captain Gareth Griffiths will clearly have his work cut out to rebuild confidence and re-galvanise his troops if they are to repeat their 2013 performance of making an immediate return to the top flight.
Team vs. Barry Athletic:
J.Ackland, T.Hurcom, C.Ackland, C.Todd (20-20) J.Coles, D.Vowles, P.Marks, R.Janes (29-21) D.James, G.White, M.Gershenson, A.Meddins (9-29) A.Locker, M.Edwards, A.Harvey, G.Griffiths (17-22)