CHAMPS SEE OFF FANCIED RIVALS

THERE were surprises when the Llanelli and District Bowling League got under way in earnest at the weekend.

In the Premier division, a very close game was expected when a much-fancied Parc y Dre, who had completed a number of high-profile signings over the close season, visited current league champions Kidwelly Town.

This, however, was not to be the case as the visitors only managed to win on a single rink, skipped by Matthew Partridge, while the home rinks of David Kingdon and Mark Davies enjoyed comfortable wins over Anthony Pritchard and Robert Chisholm.

Colin Jones and the visiting Jon G Williams had a closer result, with Jones managing a two-shot victory.

Kidwelly’s most recent rivals for the championship, Ammanford Park, who have qualified for the National Club Championship open draw, played their first game of the league season.

And they lost at home by a single shot to Gorseinon.

The visitors have returned to the Premier division this year, having been relegated from it two years ago, and had been struggling to find form in the national qualifiers.

In division one, Brynhyfryd look determined to regain their position in the Premier division having dropped down last year for the first time in the club’s history.

Their visit to Pontarddulais produced 12 points and Dafen Welfare’s trip to Blue Anchor was also successful with a 10-point win. Dafen narrowly missed out on promotion last year and with victories in their first two matches they have started well again this year.

Calsonic Wanderers and Gowerton are also in contention for the two promotion places but there is a very long way to go.

Division two leaders Ammanford Town did not play on Saturday and are being closely followed by Ty’rfran, Tumble, Tybie and Cross Hands, who all enjoyed wins in their first games at the weekend.

The draw for the first round in the National Club Championship has been published. Carmarthenshire qualifiers are home in five games and

away in one. Carmarthen, Brynhyfryd and Ammanford Park all face the same teams as last year, but this time at home.

Carmarthen’s visitors are Presteigne, Brynhyfryd face Harlequins and Ammanford Park take on Saundersfoot.

Last year Carmarthen were winners by two shots, while Brynhyfryd were well beaten and Park lost by a single shot in Pembrokeshire.

Kidwelly’s opponents are Caerau Welfare, Loughor face Windsor Penarth and Parc y Dre visit Briton Ferry Steel. Matches take place on Saturday, June 15.

Premier div. – Loughor 81 (11)-(3)

68 Llanelli; Ammanford Park 84 (4)(10) 85 Gorseinon; Kidwelly Town 80 (12)-(2) 59 Parc y Dre; Havelock Park 79 (2)-(12) 96 Graig Merthyr.

Div. 1 – Pontarddulais 56 (2)-(12) 98 Brynhyfryd; Calsonic Wanderers 98 (14)-(0) 49 New Lodge; Blue Anchor 72 (4)-(10) 88 Dafen Welfare; Llangennech & Bryn 73 (4)-(10) 76 Gowerton.

Div. 2 – Ty’rfran 91 (12)-(2) 59.75 Parc William; Cwmaman 70 (2)-(12) 72 Cross Hands; Llandeilo 62 (2)-(12) 89 Tumble; Tybie 106 (14)-(0) 61 Dafen Welfare Crusaders.

WEDNESDAY FIXTURES

Premier div. – Havelock Park v Carmarthen; Parc y Dre v Amman

ford Park.

Div. 2 – Dafen Welfare Crusaders v Ammanford Town; Tumble v Cwmaman; Cross Hands v Parc William; Tybie v Llandeilo.

SATURDAY

Premier div. – Graig Merthyr v Kidwelly Town; Llanelli v Ammanford Park; Carmarthen v Loughor; Gorseinon v Havelock Park.

Div. 1 – Brynhyfryd v Llangennech & Bryn; Dafen Welfare v Calsonic Wanderers; Blue Anchor v Pontarddulais; Burry Port v Gowerton.

Div. 2 – Parc William v Dafen Welfare Crusaders; Ammanford Town v Tumble; Cross Hands v Llandeilo; Cwmaman v Ty’rfran.