Blaenavon Bowls Club

The games came thick and fast this week, unfortunately so did the losses!

Last Wednesday we travelled to play Panteg House in an Eastern Valley League game.
We started well as after six ends we led by 2 and over the next six ends we continued to play well and extended our lead to 6. Unfortunately over the last third of the game, our hosts took control and ran out winners by a comfortable 21 shots. Congratulations to the House on an excellent performance in a game that was played in a great spirit. We wish them well for the remainder of the season.

Rink scores
A.Freeman 10 v 16 T.Pask
J.Langley 11 v 17 J.Crane
C.White 21 v 11 N.Jennings
J.Dobson 10 v 29 P.Percival
52 v 75

Then on the Friday we were on the road again as we played RTB Ebbw Vale Bowls Club in a rearranged MBA Division 2 league fixture. The green was lightening quick and we struggled to come to terms with the pacy surface as RT's flew out of the box to lead by 20 after five ends.
Over the next five ends we dug deep to reduce the deficit to 16, but the third quarter of the game proved decisive as the home side raced into a 34 shot lead. We only had pride to play for from this point and to our credit, we fought hard to eventually reduce the gap to 21.
Well done to our hosts on their great win in yet another game played in the correct manner.

Rink scores
J.Dobson 11 v 35 M.Matuszczyk
J.Langley 17 v 29 R.Silcox
C.White 31 v 8 G.Congrieve
A.Freeman 11 v 19 J K.Evans
70 v 91

Finally on Saturday we entertained Caldicot Bowls Club Caldicot in an MBA Division 2 league game. Both sides are struggling at the wrong end of the table so all points were important. We didn't get off to a very good start as we trailed by 10 after 5 ends. We rallied well from ends 5 to 10 to take a healthy 10 shot lead into the second half of the game. It was Caldicot who regained the initiative in the third quarter as they moved into a 6 shot lead . The last quarter was an exciting period of play as we pushed hard for the win, but our visitors held out to win by 3. Despite the importance of the game, it was played in a great atmosphere with plenty of banter flowing. Well done to Caldicot for an excellent performance and we now find ourselves in a relegation dogfight.

Rink scores
L.Wathen 20 v 16 M.Lewis
J.Langley 22 v 18 N.Stowe
S.Probert 17 v 29 B.Sansome
A.Freeman 23 v 22 M.Seal
82 v 85

Today's fixture at The Rec. The pavilion will be open from 2pm. Come along to support the boys and enjoy some refreshments on a beautiful Blaenavon afternoon 💚💛

2pm start for both matches. Good luck guys 💚💛

Our thoughts today are with Blaina Bowls Club and in particular, Carl and his family
💔🖤💚🤍

Last Wednesday we welcomed Garndiffaith Bowls Club to The Rec for an Eastern Valley League fixture. We started well and after 6 ends every rink was in front and we led by 25.
Things stayed much the same for the remainder of the game, with the Garn battling well to reduce the deficit, but we eventually ran out winners by 16, whilst winning on 3 rinks.
Well done to our visitors for staying in the game, but well done to our guys on a good performance. We wish Garndiffaith all the best for the remainder of the season.

Rink scores
J.Dobson 14 - 10 K.Gauntlet
L.Wathen 13 - 10 K.Sweetzer
R.John 23 - 11 S.Casey
A.Freeman 10 - 13 C.Collier
60 - 44

On Saturday we travelled down the valley to play Cwmbran Park Bowls Club in an MBA Division 2 fixture. In a tight league, it was all to play for.
Cwmbran used home knowledge to open up a 12 shot lead after 5 ends. From this point, our hosts totally dominated proceedings with an excellent display of bowling. At the halfway point the difference was 23, but things only got worse for us as Cwmbran continued as they had started. By the close we had been soundly beaten by 43 shots. Well done to our hosts as they climbed to the top of the table. We thank them for their hospitality and for the manner in which the game was played. We now find ourselves just out of the relegation places and with some tough games coming up, we need to be at our best to get out of this position.

Rink scores
C.White 15 - 26 B.Thomas
S.Probert 13 - 27 M.Strange
A.Freeman 19 - 38 S.Humphries
L.Wathen 11 - 20 P.Luffman
58 - 111

There were mixed fortunes for us in the Eastern Valley semifinals held at Croesyceiliog Bowls Club on Sunday. Colin White, Dale and Lloyd Wathen lost by a single shot in the Triples, Adrian Freeman and Jamie Dobson lost by 2 in the pairs and Adrian also suffered a heavy loss in the over 60s singles.
On the plus side, Steve Probert won his over 60's singles and Colin White emerged victorious in a nail biting finish to reach the Open Singles Final. Good luck in the final from everyone at Blaenavon 💚💛💚💛

This evening at The Rec.........Pavilion open from 5pm. Why not come along and enjoy this game against our local friends and rivals

Last night we travelled down the valley to play Pontyfelin Bowls Club in an Eastern Valley League game. Safe to say, the green has seen better days and we wish our hosts well for their work to improve the surface.
We started well and after 6 ends we led by 9. There was some good bowls from both sides, but it was us who kept the scoreboards ticking over, to lead by 21 after 12 ends. This continued til the final end as we ran out winners by 32. Credit to Pontyfelin as they kept battling throughout , in particular rink 1 as they secured a single on the last end to gain a well earned point and to rink 2 who recovered magnificently from 2-17 to lose eventually by only 3 shots.
Well done to our lads on a good performance in tricky circumstances. We wish our hosts the very best of luck for the rest of the season and thank them for their hospitality and friendship.

Rink scores
B.Jones 13 v 13 Hoppy
A.Freeman 19 v 16 Terry
L.Wathen 22 v 7 Nigel
J.Dobson 21 v 7 Gary
75 v 43

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Steven Harris, Saul Hudson