TAFF ELY BOWLS

THE Taff Ely bowlers in their National East League over-60s encounter against their visitors from the Sully club, suffered a dent in their quest for a challenge to qualify for a place in this season’s National play-offs.

At the Goods Yard stadium, the morning session got under way using rinks one and two, in a highly contested game which saw a low scoring of completed ends where out of the 42 ends played, only three ends produced triple shots. Bowling on rink one Jim Smith, Tony Hughes. Mark Thomas and Adrian Dash leading 5-4 after 6 ends, from the 7th end the visitors took control of the lead and held that lead to gain their rink points including a triple scored on the penultimate end. Derek Williams, Jack Griffiths, Dave Randell and Brian Stock in contrast to their fellow bowlers on rink one, led throughout the entire morning only to suffer a “steal” from the visitors with two ends remaining. With the visitors trailing 11-14 on the 18th end, a double and a single levelled the scoreline at 14 apiece. Stock and Co suffering a single on the final end left the Taff bowlers without any rink points to their credit from the morning’s play.

The Goods Yard Stadiums electronic scoreboard showing a deficit of 8 shots (25-33) for the Taff Bowlers – the afternoon session began with 6 shots added to the visitors overall credit on the first two ends, whilst Charlie Gittings, Charlie Foulkes, Rob Richards and Howard Pullin at 7 ends facing a deficit of 9 shots (1-10), Alan Malkin, Aldwyn David, Tom Cannon and Reg Rand led 8-4. Rand during the afternoon, produced no less than on three ends to execute heads of bowls to turn around the score with precise drive shots that earned his team to gain a lead of 20 shots in reply to 8 shots by the 18th end. Pullin and Co trailing 7-17 at 14 ends battled to reduce the deficit ending their afternoon with a final amount of 8 shots against. With Rand and Co seeking to improve further with the whole match within sight of a possible turnaround, the visitors travelled home with three teams gaining their rink points, together with the 6 match points that left the Taff Bowlers with just 2 rink points and 4 shots deficit at the end. Taff Ely 60 with 2 points Sully 64 with 12points. Rink Scores: R Rand 2210, B Stock 14-15, A Dash 11-18, H Pullin 13-21

Taking a break from the National Championship East League programme on the weekend, allowed the Taff Ely club to continue the near final stages of their domestic over-60s competitions.

In a pairs encoun- ter Ken Dee, who has achieved many successes over the years on the indoor as well as the outdoor scene in the South Wales Bowling Community, along with his partner Ken Hawkins shot into a 14-4 lead against their opponents, brothers Steve and Rob Richards, at the midway stage.

With a brave attempt to recover lost ground, the brothers could not contain the performances of Dee and Hawkins who added a further 10 shots to their credit in contrast to the total of 10 shots from the brothers.

Peter Andrei and Mark Thomas faced the duo of Tom Cannon and Adrian Dash which in this battle, the encounter reached the final stages that went right to the wire forcing an extra end. Andrei and Thomas led by a single shot at 10 ends, increased their margin to 6 shots by the 19th end 17-11. Cannon and Dash on the two remaining ends produced two triples to force the extra end with Andrei and Thomas obtaining a double to progress into the next round.

The semi-finals of the singles competition provided keen battles, where Peter Andrei and former National (over-60s) champion Aldwyn David taking 23 ends to decide who would proceed to the final position.

Taking 22 ends in the other semi-final were Jim Smith and Alan Malkin. David leading 4-1 after 4 ends and 10-8 at 12 ends completed – Andrei on the next 5 ends gained a full house of shots (4) together with two doubles and two singles requiring just three shots to take him into the final.

David clawed his way back into contention gaining a further 7 shots to a single reply from An- drei. With the scoreboard showing 19-17 to Andrei, relief for Andrei as he forced a double to finally oust the former National Champion.

Losing a double on the first end and gaining a triple and a maximum count during the first five ends, Malkin led 9-2 with Smith having to be content to trail for the rest of the encounter in this other semi-final clash.

A positive performance from both bowlers reflected in the score, whereby after gaining a triple on the 6th end in favour for Smith, apart from a double scored by both competitors on the final two ends (21 & 22) a total of 14 ends were singles of which Smith gained 4 singles. Malkin will now face Andrei in the final where both competed in last season’s open final where Andrei gained the honours. Over 60s pairs: K Dee & K Hawkins 24, S & R Richards 10, P Andrei & M Thomas 19, T Cannon & A Dash 17 (extra end) Over 60s singles: P Andrei 21, A David 17, A Malkin 21, J Smith 11

Saturday, December 3 the Taff Ely club entertain Newport in a National Championship East League match, where the bowlers will endeavour to maintain their challenge for a top position.

The Goods Yard Stadium will hold this keen encounter to start at 10am for the morning session and 2pm for the afternoon session.

Visitors are welcome to view this popular sport with free entrance and comfortable settings in this historic building with snacks, beverages and a licence bar to enjoy.