DAVID HAS THE MIDAS TOUCH
KIDWELLY Town’s David Kingdon won the Tenby Gold Cup for a record eighth time last week, successfully defending the title for the third time.
No player has come near to his success in Wales’s most prestigious singles tournament, with previous wins in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2014 and 2018.
The Llanelli & District Bowling League held the final rounds of its singles competitions at Llanelli Bowling Club on Friday evening.
The Harold Williams (Under-35) competition was contested by brothers Ben and Sam Torlop, who play for New Lodge Bowling Club, and it was Ben who came out on top, winning the trophy for the first time.
New names were also seen on the other two trophies: Rob Hughes of Havelock Park battled out a tight win against Cross Hands’ John Jones, while, in a lengthy match, Robin Burden of Brynhyfryd narrowly won the Champions All competition, defeating Kidwelly Town’s Keith Evans by two shots.
The trophy presentations were made by Denver Williams, senior vice-president of Carmarthen County Bowls Association and a member of the league management committee, and David Thomas, former Llanelli meat purveyor, who was the original sponsor of the Champions All tournament.
In the league matches held on Saturday, Graig Merthyr gained a little ground on current champions Kidwelly Town.
With both teams winning their games, Graig outperformed Kidwelly by four points, but unless Kidwelly slip up in their remaining four games the title will stay with them.
Llanelli helped their attempt to stay in the premier division with a 15-shot win at Ammanford Park.
After a poor start to the season the Old Road club have won four of their last five matches.
Division one leaders Brynhyfryd need just two more wins to seal their return to the premier division after they beat a struggling Pontarddulais at Parc Howard.
Second-placed Dafen Welfare enhanced their chances of a premier division spot after a home win over nearest promotion rivals Blue Anchor.
New Lodge’s home win over Calsonic Wanderers reversed their places towards the bottom of the division, joined by Llangennech & Bryn, who lost at Burry Port.
Tybie remain at the top of division two after almost ending Ammanford Town’s chance of going up this year. Cross Hands produced a maximumpoints win at home to Cwmamman and remain favourites for promotion with Tybie.
Next week local players take part in the national competitions at Llandrindod Wells hoping to secure Welsh titles.
RESULTS TENBY GOLD CUP
David Kingdon 21-12 Richard Janes
LLANELLI & DISTRICT BOWLING LEAGUE SPONSORED BY GRAVELLS
Premier Div: Graig Merthyr 96 (14)-(0) 78 Gorseinon; Loughor 74 (12)-(2) 71 Carmarthen; Ammanford Park 72 (3)-(11) 87 Llanelli; Havelock Park 68 (4)-(10) 76 Kidwelly Town
Div 1: Brynhyfryd 92 (12)-(2) 69 Pontarddulais; Dafen Welfare 86 (12)-(2) 73 Blue Anchor; Burry Port 88 (10)-(4) 68.75 Llangennech & Bryn; New Lodge 86 (12)-(2) 53 Calsonic Wanderers
Div 2: Tumble 84 (10)-(4) 75 Parc William: Cross Hands 88 (14)-(0) 60 Cwmamman; Llandeilo 52 (2)-(12) 79 Ty’rfran; Tybie 89 (12)-(2) 51.5 Ammanford Town.
WEDNESDAY FIXTURE
Premier Div: Parc y Dre v Carmarthen
SATURDAY FIXTURES
Premier Div: Ammanford Park v Kidwelly Town; Llanelli v Havelock Park; Gorseinon v Loughor; Parc y Dre v Graig Merthyr
Div 1: Brynhyfryd v Calsonic Wanderers; Pontarddulais v Llangennech & Bryn; Dafen Welfare v Burry Port; Gowerton v New Lodge
Div 2: Tumble v Ty’rfran; Cwmamman v Parc William; Llandeilo v Dafen Welfare Crusaders; Tybie v Cross Hands