THE 'war veterans' of the Penarth Windsor Bowls Club got the past week off to a flying start by defeating Rhiwbina in the Alliance Tuesday League.

The main ammunition was provided by the rinks of Tom Owen, John Worlock, Reg Paull and Dave Brenton (skip) and frontliners Ian Mathias, Chas Coles, Allin Daniel and 'Montgomery's batman' A J Hardess.

An absolute thriller ensued in the Munro Cup clash with visitors Dinas Powys and, after 18 exhilarating ends, the latter edged the game by just one shot.

Windsor captain Paul Gunter led from the front along with Austen Meredith, Phil Gooding and Mike Lloyd-Jones, and, also winning 25-11, were Windsor's 'Home Guard' rink of Mike Matthews, H C Lewis, Mal Hope and Ken McLeod, the club's very own 'Captain Mainwaring.' The other two rinks will remain nameless for fear of litigation!

Likewise, the club's very shortlived challenge for the Huw Meddins Trophy is best consigned to the history books, with the selectors totally culpable for the demise and the sight of Rod Hudson speeding back along the M25.

Also joining Rod in an exodus from Windsor were PG1 players and bowlers (loosely described) as Cardiff Athletic all but scuppered the local side's promotion hopes with a 90-67 victory. The rinks of Gunter and McLeod put up some strong resistance, while the Tony Holmes rink, which included Austen Meredith, Brian Rogers and Eddie Thorne, decided to put their talents into hibernation until the season of 'Tiddlywinks' and 'Ludo.' The one winning rink for Windsor was Richard Flitney , Artie Woodcock, Chas Burton and much maligned and now repatriated Rod Hudson.

The PG2 side were in sparkling form but still lost out by one shot to the Cardiff club. Once again A J Hardess and 90-year-old birthday boy Ken Trenchard led the way with winning rinks, but, sadly, the fours of Phil Parry and Peter Morrish were beaten by just a few shots.

A double encounter against Rectory Road was the order of the day for the Windsor ladies and it turned into something of a nightmare. In the two-rink encounter, Windsor were beaten by 24 shots, with Carole Lewis, Brenda Dunlop, Di Roper and skip Moira Owen suffering their heaviest ever defeat - 20-2 - and Bernice Roberts, Veronica Flitney, Di Thomas and Kay Dyer losing 14-8.

The rematch in the triples league saw Moira and Di Thomas redress the balance with first-class win over their Rectory Road opponents. With the game ending in a draw overall, the Kay Dyer rinks suffered a nine-shot defeat.

The West Wales seaside resort of Saundersfoot brought their bowling club members to Robinswood Crescent on Sunday and what a wonderful advertisement it was for bowls and the friendship and fun it provides. The game ended in a 107-107 draw and, with the ladies providing a traditional Welsh tea and the visitors keen to keep the Windsor barmen busy, it was a marvellous time occasion.

Windsor captains Veronica Flitney and Paul Gunter, along with president Alun Daniel, are to be congratulated for the perfect day as is Di Thomas for her organisational skills in securing the fixture.