BRILLIANT BEN STORMS TO SINGLES TITLE
CARMARTHEN County has a new name on its prestigious singles trophy following the final round at Coedbach Park, Pontarddulais, on Sunday.
Local youngster Ben Matthews, a student at the University of Wales Trinity St David and a member of Graig Merthyr Bowls Club, defeated experienced Llanelli bowler Martyn Roberts.
Ben, an international player at under-18 and junior level, follows his father Wyn, who was joint holder of the title last year. Both players will represent Carmarthen County in the National Finals at Llandrindod Wells in August.
In the Llanelli & District League Premier division, Llanelli Bowling Club produced their best performance of the year with a maximum-points win against Gorseinon at Old Road.
Graig Merthyr continue to chase current champions Kidwelly Town, dropping just one rink at Loughor. Kidwelly, however, hold an 11-point lead at the top of the table.
Ammanford Park produced a good result, defeating Parc y Dre by 25 shots, while Carmarthen were also winners at the expense of Havelock Park.
In division one, Brynhyfryd leapt back to the top of the table after Dafen Welfare lost at Burry Port. Both teams have opened up a sizeable gap from the chasing pack and are favourites for the promotion places.
Tybie lost their undefeated record at Cross Hands on Saturday, giving Cross a chance of the divisional title.
Ammanford Town’s loss at Ty’rfran prevented them going back to the top, but Tybie hold games in hand over both clubs, making them favourites to go up.
This Saturday Parc y Dre, the last remaining Carmarthenshire team in the National Club Championship, visit Cardiff club Penylan, who defeated them at People’s Park last year. However, having gained a few toplevel players this year Parc y Dre will be looking for revenge.
This week the Llanelli & District League is holding its Festival Week of Bowls. Play takes place each evening at Llanelli, Parc y Dre, Dafen and Parc Howard, with the final rounds at Llanelli on Friday evening.
LLANELLI & DISTRICT BOWLING LEAGUE SPONSORED BY GRAVELLS RESULTS
Premier div: Loughor 77 (2)-(12) 82 Graig Merthyr; Ammanford Park 90 (13)-(1) 65 Parc y Dre; Llanelli 114 (14)-(0) 55 Gorseinon; Carmarthen 95 (10)-(4) 70 Havelock Park.
Div 1: Calsonic Wanderers 54.75 (0)-(14) 103 Brynhyfryd; Llangennech & Bryn 66 (5)-(9) 71 Pontarddulais; Burry Port 87 (10)-(4) 78 Dafen Welfare; New Lodge 72 (3)-(11) 85 Gowerton.
Div 2: Ty’rfran 86 (11)-(3) 67 Ammanford Town; Dafen Welfare Crusaders 86 (12)-(2) 66.75 Parc William; Cross Hands 83 (12)-(2) 62 Tybie; Cwmaman 84 (12)-(2) 79 Llandeilo.
SATURDAY FIXTURES WBA NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Penylan v Parc y Dre.
LLANELLI & DISTRICT LEAGUE
Premier div: Kidwelly Town v Llanelli; Havelock Park v Loughor; Gorseinon v Ammanford Park.
Div 1: Brynhyfryd v Burry Port; Dafen Welfare v New Lodge; Calsonic Wanderers v Gowerton; Llangennech & Bryn v Blue Anchor.
Div 2: Parc William v Cross Hands; Ammanford Town v Dafen Welfare Crusaders; Cwmaman v Tumble; Tybie v Ty’rfran.