FOLLOWING on from a rewarding opening day session, the usual flurry of early season friendly games have given captain Phil Davies plenty to enthuse about.

The first game saw a pretty strong Barry Romilly team arrive at Rectory Road green full of confidence and the usual intimidating banter. However Phil's boys were not to be out done and turned in a solid performance to ease out a creditable win by 62 shots to 55.

The very next day a mixed Cowbridge team were entertained on the Penarth green and another accomplished afternoon's bowling saw the 6 rinks successful overall by 125 to 54. With Cowbridge still awaiting the completion of their new synthetic playing surface, the heavier grass surface proved a difficult task for them as the score reflects. A return fixture later in the season may prove to be a totally different ball game.

Saturday, April 19, saw a very strong Pontycymmer side arrive at Rectory green and provided what turned out to be a very competitively fought fixture. Five rinks contested the game which resulted in defeat for Penarth by 32 shots (81-113). Only the Bob Lewis rink managed a win as they turned around a 10 nil deficit after six ends to win 18 - 15.

Two rinks managed to lose on the last end with Bob Hill's surrendering a 17 - 7 lead at the 14th end to be pipped at the post by one shot eventually losing 17 - 18.

Dave Clements also lost by 17 - 18 when his rink dropped two shots on the last end. Dave however was saved from the washing up duties as Ron Maggs rink went down by a much larger margin. John Whitfield and his rink also lost dropping 11 shots in the last five ends.

The fixture was enjoyed by all and it is hoped that this will become an annual early friendly fixture.

Following on in midweek saw an eagerly awaited arrival of Victoria Weston. Their bus deposited them at Rectory Road just before 11.30am whereupon they promptly settled in a local hostelry for what appeared later to be a mainly liquid lunch.

The six rink contest got under way at 2.30pm and game got off to a fairly even start. Victoria were initially finding the green heavier than they would like, but soon settled in to a rhythm. Overall it was a keenly fought affair with the West Country visitors eventually running our victors by a mere eight shots (107 - 115). Winning rinks were skipped by Nick Chandler (28 - 13), Clive Fry (21 - 14) and Dave Dalby (18 - 17). Pride of place on the day must go to the Nick Thomas, Haydn Trow, Reg Jones and Nick Chandler rink who were losing 13 - 7 on the 9th end but won the next 12 ends to run out clear winners.

The rinks of Bob Lewis, Bob Hill and Dave Clements all lost but fought valiantly to the end.

A most enjoyable afternoon was had by all with the weather just about holding off despite the forecast. A return match is to be looked forward to in August. The tables must be turned.