Port Talbot and District Bowls League results
BOWLS
THE battle to play in the top flight next summer is warming up with leaders Prince of Wales Court Hawks, Mount Pleasant and Kenfig Hill vying for two promotion places, writes Tony Poole.
With the Hawks and Kenfig Hill both sitting out last week’s league programme, Mount Pleasant climbed into second spot on the back of a 64-55 home win over Croeserw.
However, the two local sides still have three remaining matches while Mount Pleasant have just two more games to play.
The Hawks have nested 97 points from 11 games, Mount Pleasant have 97 points from 12 matches and Kenfig Hill are on 89 points from 11 completed fixtures.
But there was no joy last week for Caerau Welfare, who lost the Riverboat derby clash to Maesteg Celtic by two shots, 65-63, with skip Randall Tucker the Celtic hero via a 19-9 rink win.
And the Riverboaters sunk to a 57-53 defeat just down the road at Croeserw.
In Division Three, the big winners of the week were Caerau Athletic, and their priceless skip Mickey Banks.
Two victories lifted Caerau out of the drop zone, and left Bridgend Municipal in a spot of bother. Banks deposited a 23-10 winning card on the scoreboard during a 69-44 home win over Port Talbot Municipal.
And he was also on the money in an 82-55 win at the Riverboat over Maesteg - on this occasion the rink success was 24-8.
Bridgend maintained an interest in the promotion race via a 57-51 victory over Maesteg at the Caepant Field with skip Steve Rees triumphant to the tune of 21-10.
In the division below, long-time leaders Aberkenfig returned home from Bryncoch pointless after suffering a 72-53 setback.
It’s left Aberkenfig just one point in front of Cwmavon with Tyn-y-Twr Badgers also on the prowl in a three-way shootout to go up.
And while Division Five pacemakers Briton Ferry Town ended the promotion aspirations of Pencoed, triumphing 57-44, Cefn Cribwr swept to a 61-51 victory at Melyn United.
Skip Mark Vaulters pulled off a toasty 16-9 win, as the Riders banked 12 league points to cement second spot.
RESULTS: Division One: Bryn Welfare 71 (14 points) Gwynfi 50 (0), Skewen 64 (10) Briton Ferry Steel 63 (4). Division Two: Caerau Welfare 63 (6) Maesteg Celtic 65 (8), Croeserw 57 (10) Caerau Welfare 53 (4), Griffin Park 63 (10) Aberavon 51 (4), Mount Pleasant 64 (8) Croeserw 55 (6). Division Three: Aberavon Liberal Club Do’s 65 (4) Port Talbot Ynys 67 (10), Bridgend 57 (12) Maesteg 51 (2), Caerau Athletic 82 (13) Maesteg 55 (1), Caerau Athletic 69 (12) Port Talbot Municipal 44 (2). Division Four: Bryncoch 72 (14) Aberkenfig 53 (0), Brynhyfryd 54 (2) Melyn Borough 65 (12), Cwmavon 73 (11) BP Llandarcy Tankers 55 (3), Tyn-y-Twr Badgers 59 (4) Cymmer 60 (10). Division Five: Briton Ferry Steel Combine 56 (2) Aberavon Liberal Club Don’ts 60 (12), Briton Ferry Town 57 (12) Pencoed 44 (2), Melyn United 51 (2) Cefn Cribwr 61 (12).