18.05.13
Aberdare v Cymmer
Carruthers Shield
Format – 21 ends 1 shot on first 2 ends
Venue – Cymmer Bowls Club
The weather was set fair for this last match in the Carruthers Shield as once again Aberdare travelled over the Maerdy mountain.
Teams
Rink 1:- V Watts, C Jennings, B Thomas, R Harries*
Rink 2:- D Thomas, J Parr, M Davies, L Isaac*
Rink 3:- B Lloyd*, R Sweet, M Owen, S Davey
Rink 4:- A Bailey, J Jones, R Keenan*, T Miles
* Man of the match
Match Report
Rink 1 – Aberdare are making steady progress winning 7 of the first 8 ends to lead 10-1. Cymmer are not making any impression on the score line as Aberdare continue to rack up the score at 19-5 with 16 ends played. Aberdare finish with a flourish and take a great win.
Aberdare 23 - 8 Cymmer
Rink 2 – Another impressive start from Aberdare as they stride into an early 9-1 lead after 5 ends. Cymmer score a triple to revive their hopes but they are soon dashed as Aberdare score 10 shots over the next 4 ends to extend the lead to 19-4. The game is a little tighter in the closing ends with many singles scored but Aberdare are way in front and take another big win.
Aberdare 27 -11 Cymmer
Rink 3 – The match here is closer in the early stages but Aberdare are just ahead 4-2 after 5 ends. The game plays out similarily over the next several ends with the score now 10-5 in Aberdare’s favour. The final 3 ends prove decisive as Aberdare score 9 shots in 2 of those ends to bring in another big win.
Aberdare 22 - 9 Cymmer
Rink 4 – Aberdare are on form once again taking 7 of the first 8 ends to lead 11-1. Cymmer have no real answer as the Aberdare skip Tom Miles and third Ray Keenan outclass the opposition today. Aberdare go from strength to strength leading 19-6 after 16 ends. The final five ends all go to Aberdare who take the final win.
Aberdare 24 - 6 Cymmer
Match Score
Aberdare 96 – 34 Cymmer
At last Aberdare break a 5 game losing streak and get a good win under the belt. With plenty of league games ahead some good form hopefully will come our way. Well done to all the team.
Both teams then retired to a local hostelry for some refreshments after a beautiful spring afternoon. Both captains giving their speeches wishing each other a successful season.
16.05.13
Aberdare v Gelli Park
Carruthers Shield
Format – 18 ends with 2 practice ends
Venue – Gelli Park Bowls Club
Aberdare travelled over the to the Rhondda on a pleasant sunny evening to play the second game in the Carruthers Shield round robin stage of this tournament.
Teams
Rink 1:- T Miles, J Jones, G Davies T Robertson*
Rink 2:- V Watts, C Jennings*, B Thomas, R Harries
Rink 3:- A Bailey, A Pearce, M Davies*, L Isaac
Rink 4:- D Thomas, R Sweet, M Owen, S Davey*
* Man of the match
Match Report
Rink 1 – Aberdare are making steady progress in the first 7 ends, more than matching the home team leading 6-3. Gelli move into overdrive now though and produce a winning run of 7 seven ends to shoot past Aberdare and take the lead 6-13. It’s a long way back now for Aberdare who take the next 2 ends to spark a revival but Gelli wrap things up with two singles for the first win.
Aberdare 9 - 15 Gelli Park
Rink 2 – It is Gelli who gain the first few ends putting Aberdare under pressure and race away to a 2-9 lead after 6 ends. Aberdare start finding their form and begin to reel in the Gelli team. With just 2 ends to go Aberdare have caught the home team and it is all square at 16-16. This is a nail biter but once again Gelli find 2 shots in the penultimate end to lead 16-18. Aberdare have one last throw of the dice and take the last end but only by one shot to narrowly lose this one.
Aberdare 17-18 Gelli Park
Rink 3 – Aberdare are making good inroads on a green which is a little heavy at the start leading 6-2 after 6 ends. Gelli start to play shorter jacks and gain the advantage with 3 winning ends to level it up 6-6. Aberdare get going again and pull off 8 shots in three ends including a fab five to open up a lead at 14-6 with eleven ends played.
Aberdare continue to hold the lead until the sixteenth end when out of nowhere Gelli score a stupendous six to turn the game on its head 15-17. Aberdare are in shock and fail to score on the last 2 ends and lose another match.
Aberdare 15 - 20 Gelli Park
Rink 4 – Some big scores from both teams early on as the lead changes hands a few times with Aberdare just in front 7-6 after 4 ends. Gelli rattle off a few big ends on the trot scoring an impressive 13 shots to leave Aberdare in their dust at 7-19. Aberdare shake themselves down and start to pick up a few shots but Gelli are in control now keeping it tight to the finish and a final win.
Aberdare 14 - 29 Gelli Park
Match Score
Aberdare 55 – 82 Gelli Park
Aberdare tried their best but it was not to be today as Gelli Park were worthy winners taking all four rinks. Never mind, Aberdare have one last match on Saturday versus Cymmer but sadly will not be going any further in this competition this year.
DD Griffiths Memorial Shield
Date – 8.5.13
Aberdare v Aberdare Retired Members (ARM)
18 ends, one on the first 2 ends – ARM jack
A damp cold grey evening for this yearly challenge match.
It is played in a good spirit but with still plenty of competitive edge.
Aberdare Team
R1 – D Thomas*, R Sweet*, B Thomas*, R Harries*
R2 – R Keenan*, M Davies*, L Isaac
R3 – V Watts, A Pearce, G Davies, T Miles*
R4 – A Bailey, R Jones, T Robertson*
* MOM nominations.
Match Report
R1- Aberdare are still in the pavilion it seems as ARM cruise the first 4 ends to lead 0-4. Aberdare start to play levelling the scores after 10 ends 6-6. ARM get their noses in front over the next few ends and take the lead once again at 7-14. A final flourish from ARM on the last end with 5 shots provides the first win.
Aberdare 8-19 ARM
R2 – It is Déjà Vu as another rink are left in the changing room as ARM take the first 4 ends leading 0-4. Aberdare finally take a single to get on the card but it is ARM who are pushing on to lead 2-10 at the halfway stage. More trouble for Aberdare as the retired members score freely to extend the lead 5-18 with 2 ends remaining. Each team scores a double shot in the last 2 ends but ARM take another fine win.
Aberdare 7-20 ARM
R3 – A much better start by Aberdare who lead 6-2 after 5 ends. Further good scoring from Aberdare extends the lead to 12-3 at the halfway stage. Tommy Miles the Aberdare skip is playing a blinder and probably one of the most senior figures on the park showing the ‘youngsters’ how it is done. Aberdare continue their fine performance to bring home the bacon in the only winning rink for Aberdare tonight.
Aberdare 19-8 ARM
R4 – A steady start from Aberdare picking up the first 2 ends on a tricky green, thanks to the skip and Captain ‘Commander’ Tom Robertson. Aberdare fall into the trap set by ARM as they play short jacks and cannot find the pace or line and lose seven ends on the spin to trail 2-12 after 9 ends. Aberdare cannot get any rhythm going and lose another 5 ends without reply falling further behind 4-22. It ARM who finish it off with a fine performance and worthy winners.
Aberdare 7 - 25 ARM
Match Score Aberdare 41-72 ARM
A post match cup of tea and presentation followed to round off the evening.
The ARM captain being presented with the Shield by Derek’s son Nigel Griffiths in whose memory the game is played. It was also poignant that this evening was also Derek Griffiths’ birthday. The closing speeches were given by Lew Isaac and the ARM Captain. The ‘Shield’ having been played for 9 times is just in favour of Aberdare winning 5 of the 9 occasions.
All 2012 Match reports can be found on the BLOG