WELSH GLORY FOR MARTYN
LLANELLI and Carmarthen County have a new national champion in Martyn Roberts of Llanelli Bowling Club, who won the Welsh-Over 60s Singles competition at Llandrindod Wells last week.
Over the early rounds he never seemed to be in trouble, but when it came to the final he was behind for the majority of the match, holding the lead for just two of the first 23 ends.
Losing 15-19 after 21 ends in the first to 21 shots match, he took control of the game, scoring a two, one and a three without reply to bring the title to West Wales.
Further honours could still be achieved by Carmarthen’s Josh Hancock, who has reached the semi-final of the Under-25 Singles, with the final two rounds postponed due to a competitor’s absence.
Notably, the Senior Four of Peter Davies, David Dobson, Sid Bryce and Martin Watts of Brynhyfryd Bowls Club made it through to their semi-final, losing at that stage to Dinas Powys.
In the County Championship Team semi-final, played on Sunday morning, Carmarthenshire lost to the Vale of Glamorgan by seven shots. Anthony Pritchard of
Parc y Dre skipped the only winning rink for Carmarthenshire, while Gary Davies’s Loughor Four produced a drawn rink.
In the Llanelli & District League, Loughor and Graig Merthyr produced identical points in the race for the championship. Graig came from behind in a close match at Old Road, while Loughor will be well satisfied with a sevenshot win at Parc y Dre.
Also in the Premier Division, Brynhyfryd increased their chances of survival with a maximum-points win at Burry Port and, in doing so, sent the home side back to division one next year.
Despite losing at Gowerton on Saturday, Carmarthen are still in with a viable chance of returning to the top flight as they are well in contention and have games in hand. However, they do face Dafen Welfare this week and have a final game at division leaders Tybie in the middle of September.
The division two favourites for promotion are Cross Hands, who narrowly missed out last year, and they could be joined by Cwmaman, who have hit form at the right time and are eagerly chasing the second promotion spot.
This Friday the Llanelli League are holding the final rounds of their Singles competitions at Llanelli Bowling Club, commencing at 6pm.
In the Harold Williams Under35 Singles, the 2019 winner, Ben Torlop of New Lodge, faces the challenge of Ross Davies from Ammanford Park.
The David Richards Over-50 Singles will be competed for by two previous winners as Brynhyfryd’s Phil Jones takes on Havelock’s Rob Hughes. Jones has won the title on three previous occasions and will be looking to create a league record with a fourth win.
The League Champions All final, for the David Thomas Cup, will be between Mark Watkins of Graig Merthyr, winner in 2018, and Dan Barnett of Parc y Dre.
RESULTS
Welsh Bowling Association National Championships
Over-60 Singles (final round): M Roberts (Llanelli) 21-19 D Rowlands (Machynlleth).
County Championship semifinal: Carmarthenshire 115 – 122 Vale of Glamorgan.
Llanelli & District Bowling League
Premier Div: Havelock Park 85 (10)-(4) 68 Ammanford Park, Llanelli 74 (4)-(10) 83 Graig Merthyr, Burry Port 74 (0)-(14) 87 Brynhyfryd, Parc y Dre 75 (4)-(10) 82 Loughor.
Div 1: Ty’rfran 75 (10)-(4) 66 Gorseinon, Parc William 66 (4)(10) 89 Tybie, Gowerton 81 (12)(2) 57 Carmarthen, Dafen Welfare 94 (12)-(2) 53 Calsonic Wanderers.
Div 2: Pontarddulais 70 (2)-(12) 74.5 Llangennech & Bryn, New Lodge 79 (4)-(10) 84 Cross Hands, Cwmaman 77 (12)-(2) 58 Ammanford Town.
FIXTURES
Saturday
Llanelli & District League Premier Div: Brynhyfryd v Ammanford Park; Loughor v Havelock Park; Kidwelly Town v Burry Port.
Div 1: Calsonic Wanderers v Gorseinon; Carmarthen v Crusaders; Gowerton v Ty’rfran; Dafen Welfare v Parc William.
Div 2: Pontarddulais v Cwmaman; Ammanford Town v Llandeilo; Llangennech & Bryn v New Lodge; Cross Hands v Blue Anchor.
Wednesday
Premier Div: Burry Port v Ammanford Park.*