On a fine, but coolish Saturday afternoon, we made the short journey through the lanes and into the Eastern Valley for an important MBA league clash with Cwmbran Park.
We have always enjoyed a special relationship with Cwmbran, which has stemmed from our sporting rivalry on the green and the respect we have for each other, but also from the friendship we have developed over many years off the green, enjoying each others company over a few beers after the game. Long may this continue!
The green played well, and although it was sluggish to begin with, it soon sped up after a few ends. The mister men edged into a 5 shot lead on 5 ends, but Cwmbran fought back to take a slender 2 shot lead at the halfway point, before Pontymister began to find some momentum to lead by 9 shots on 15 ends, and eventually increasing the margin to 18 shots for an important 67-85 win and 10 very valuable points.
On rink 1, making his first appearance for the MBA side this season Sean Kenvyn played lead, Graham Smith second, Nick Harris third and Andrew Goodwin skip. Cwmbran’s four were D. Blake, M. Wright, Bryn Berry and ex mister man, Simon (bumpy) Humphreys. The mister men got off to a solid start, with Sean Kenvyn building a strong foundation with close bowls, and everyone contributing when required. Pontymister led 0-6 on 5 ends, and could have had a “5” on end 6 if it weren’t for “bumpy” Humphreys brilliant saving shot to reduce the pick up to just a single. Simon’s efforts seemed to inspire his rink who then went on to pick up 10 shots in 3 ends with a “3”, a “2” and a “5” respectively. The score was locked at 10-10 on 10 ends, but the mister men won 4 of the next 5 ends to lead 11-15 on 15 ends, and then won 5 of the final 6 ends to run out 14-23 winners.
On rink 2, Ken McKinnon, Chris Beale, Richie Murphy and Dave Hill had a tough battle against K. Clarke, Howard Rees, Darren Taylor and P. Thomas. Cwmbran snook a 4-3 lead on 5 ends, but it was all square at 6-6 on 10 ends, both teams had counts of “3” and “4” over the next 5 ends with the mister men holding a slender 13-14 lead on 15 ends, but with a “5” on the 16th end, and a “3” on the last it was the home team who edged the contest 22-19.
On rink 3, Phil Huntley, Ethan Simmonds, Roger Simms and Roger Venn got off to a sluggish start against M. Metalfke, C. Pentney, Alec McGhee, and Martin Strange, trailing 4-2 on 5 ends. The mister men soon rallied though to win 4 of the next 5 ends to lead 6-9 on 10 ends. With a count of “4” on the 15th end the mister men led 8-15, and they went on to finish very strongly and record a convincing 10-24 victory.
On rink 4, Chris Simmonds, Sid Phillips, Captain Lloyd Turnbull and the shy, retiring Ronnie “rocket man” Morgan edged into a 3-5 lead on 5 ends against I. Wright, B. Summers, M. Williams, and P. Luffman. The Cwmbran four picked up a “3” on the 6th end and a “5” on the 9th end to take a 12-7 lead on 10 ends. The mister men reduced the deficit to just 3 shots on 15 ends at 13-16, and despite Pontymister picking up two “3’s” over the important last 6 ends, Cwmbran won a close game 21-19.
We enjoyed a very tasty buffet after the game with delicious hot corned beef pie’s and hot potatoes being a firm favourite with the mister men. Following much reminiscing and laughter it was time to leave. We thank Cwmbran Park for their wonderful hospitality and look forward to their visit to Fields Road later in the season.