Conwy well in hunt for crown
THREE teams look to have it between them in the battle for the Welsh Counties League bowls title.
After Tuesday night’s matches champions Esclusham lie top with 109 points, while Conwy and Cunliffe are in close proximity on 107 apiece.
Each of the three contenders have four fixtures remaining so a thrilling end to the season appears to be in store.
Esclusham and Conwy most certainly signalled their intentions on Tuesday of this week when both registered 10-0 victories.
Conwy did a ruthless demolition job on bottom side Coed Talon.
Nick Hughes was a resounding 21-1 winner for the Castlemen, while Carl Lewis (21-3), Peter Jones (21-6) and Sean Gallimore (21-9) also produced single-figure victories.
Other Conwy success stories were: Steve Jones (21-10), Darren Williams (21-17), Ian Hughes (21-18) and Christian Pattinson (21-19).
Rhos Park enjoyed an impressive 8-2 result against visitors Gresford.
Mark Whiteley was top block for the hosts on 21-5, Chris Slater (21-11), Andy Bray (21-12), Steve Lawley (2113), Terry Lea and Ivor Jones (both 21-15) also on the winning side, while Glyn Jones and Roger Wilson lost by just one and two poitns respectively.
Fading Min-y-Don went down 7-3 at third-placed Cunliffe, Graham Rogers best for the visitors at 21-9, John Davies (21-16) and Graham Thomas (21-20) also doing well.
Llanrwst were beaten 7-3 at St Asaph, despite wins for Joseph Pritchard (21-16), Michael Pritchard (21-17) and three-time Welsh Merit champion John Bailey (21-19).
Esclusham whitewashed Broughton, while Abergele pipped Beaumaris 6-4.
It ended 4-4 on games, but Gele grabbed the bonus after enjoying a five-point advantage in the aggregates.
Helping the home cause were Jason Jones (21-10), Chris Rimmer (21-13), Anthony Harper (21-14) and Scott Garner (21-20).
Jason Jones currently tops the league averages with an outstanding record of 16 wins in 18 games.
Peter Jones of Conwy is second with a 15-3 record, while 2015 Welsh Merit champion Leighton Roberts of Esclusham lies third at 14-4.
Chris Slater of Rhos Park (14-2) is fourth and Darren Williams of Conwy fifth (14-4).
Played and points: Esclusham 18-109; Conwy 18-107; Cunliffe 18-107; Broughton 18-95; Rhos Park 18-92; Min-y-Don 18-92; Beaumaris 18-89; Abergele 18-87; Gresford 18-82; Llanrwst 18-81; St Asaph 18-73; Coed Talon 18-66.
Next week’s fixtures (Tuesday, August 18): Beaumaris v Llanrwst; Broughton v Conwy; Coed Talon v Rhos Park; Cunliffe v Abergele; Gresford v Esclusham; Min-y-Don v St Asaph.
Two of the area’s leading teams will be involved in special occasions over the next two days.
Tonight (Thursday) the Gwynedd Cup final will be contested by Llanrwst and Beaumaris at the Bethesda club’s Rachub green.
Meanwhile tomorrow evening (Friday) Min-y-Don will do battle with Bethesda in the North Wales Coast League’s Handicap Cup final at neutral Beaumaris.
Pesda will have a head start of net 47 points.