Newsletter 24.08.2019

In the past week, Abergavenny Bowls Club has played three league games, an EMBA game, a GBL fixture and an MBA game. In addition, the mixed team has played a friendly game against RTB.

The first of these games was the EMBA game at Avenue Road against Monmouth. Abergavenny won on three of the four rinks to win the game by 71 shots to 60. This result confirmed Abergavenny Bowls Club as EMBA champions for 2019. The three successful rinks for Abergavenny were those of Matthew Vale, John Vale and Gethin Hill with scores of 18 shots to 8, 22 shots to 15 and 17 shots to 14 respectively. Unfortunately, the rink of John Beaton came up against a Monmouth rink in top form and consequently suffered defeat by 23 shots to 14.

In the MBA game on Saturday against Croesyceiliog at Avenue Road, Abergavenny again won on three rinks to defeat their opponents by 95 shots to 67. This result virtually ensures that Abergavenny will remain in Division 2 for next season. Matthew Vale’s rink outplayed their opponents, building a big lead from the start. They scored heavily through the middle section of the game to win by 29 shots to 11.The game was close on the rink of John Beaton until the final stages. The Abergavenny rink then scored eleven shots, conceding only one, to win by 25 shots to 14. Gethin Hill’s rink scored eight shots on the final two ends. This enabled them to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat, winning by 22 shots to 20. Unfortunately, Anthony Moriarty’s rink could not complete a clean sweep of victories as they dropped three shots over the final two ends to be defeated by 22 shots to 19 in a very close game.

Abergavenny also played a GBL fixture at Bailey Park. They won on one rink but were defeated on the other two rinks, losing the game by 69 shots to 44. Kevin Matthias’ rink was successful when they scored eight shots over the final five ends to win the game by 20 shots to 18. Unfortunately the rinks of Ron Smith and Alban Jones could not get on terms with their opponents and consequently both lost by 22 shots to 10 and 29 shots to 14 respectively.

During the week Abergavenny also played a mixed team friendly when RTB Ebbw Vale Retired were the visitors to Avenue Road. Abergavenny won on four of the rinks and tied on the fifth to win the game by 105 shots to 61. John Whomersley’s rink was held to a draw 17 shots all but the remaining rinks of Ceri Clark, Ron Smith, Matthew Vale, Mary Evans all won by 27 shots to 13, 26 shots to 9, 19 shots to 9 and 16 shots to 13.

This week-end Abergavenny travel to Newbridge for an MBA game and play Bedwelty Park at Avenue Road in the GBL. In addition, on Sunday, commencing at 10.30 am, they will also hold The Captains Two Wood Pairs Competition for The Ernest Holton Trophy.