On a lovely late Spring evening, we welcomed our close neighbours, arch rivals, but very good friends Crosskeys to Fields Road for this South Mon League match. Crosskeys are flying high in the MBA, SML & Carruthers shield so far this season so we were under no illusions this would be a tough task, and so it proved to be.
The game began fairly closely with the Keys holding a slender 3 shot lead on 5 ends, however this was extended to 22 shots on 10 ends, 44 shots on 15 ends with Crosskeys winning by the same margin of 44 shots on 18 ends. The final score being 42-86 (0-14 points).
On rink 2, the rink of Mike Lyons, Jamie Roberts, captain Chris Beale and Secretary Nick Harris took the lead on the first end but from that point onwards the Keys began to get to grips with things and take control with lead Chris Perry finding the tight line perfectly, second Rob Thomas consolidating, Simon Bushell slotting a few gems in, and ex mister man and our close friend Ian Slade playing some brilliant shots. The mister men battled hard but the keys were too strong running out 11-22 winners.
On rink 3, the Pontymister foursome of young Ethan Simmonds, big Dave Kenvyn, GBL Captain Ian Collier, and the effervescent Roger Simms were locked at 4-4 after 5 ends with A. Williams, D. Holster, Russel “Rucca” Bryant and another ex mister man Kieran Davies. Crosskeys soon began to take control and led 5-12 on 10 ends, 6-23 on 15 ends before eventually running out 9-23 winners.
On rink 4 consistent Lead Dave Bowd, the versatile Scotchman Ken McKinnon, young Jack Collier, and Richie Murphy led 3-2 on 5 ends against Dave Greaney, C. Murphy, Darren Hobbs and Joe Nicholls. The score was locked at 8-8 on 10 ends before the keys picked up a 3 on the 11th end and a 6 on the 13th end to eventually win 11-20.
On rink 5 the Pontymister rink of Richard Beaugie, Sean Kenvyn, Jason Webb, and Graham Smith were all square at 4-4 with A. Williams, K Edwards, Tony Brown and Paul Watkins before the Keys rink moved ahead 5-12 on 10 ends, it was 10-18 on 15 ends before Crosskeys closed the game out 11-21.
Crosskeys were far too strong for the Mister Men on this occasion and the highlight of the evening from a Pontymister perspective were the delicious hot dogs served by Chairman Andrew Goodwin after the game.
We wish our friends from Crosskeys all the very best for the season, you’re going to take some stopping this season lads!
For the mister men, we must now concentrate on 2 important games this weekend, Caerleon away in the Carruthers Shield, and Caldicot home in the GBL. (PS – Thanks to Crosskeys for agreeing a 2 rink friendly at home on Saturday at very short notice).
Onwards & upwards!