PENARTH Bowling Club endured something of a struggle in last week’s matches with defeats in the Alan Martin Trophy, Alliance and PG One, with the only really bright spot being a good win in the Munro Cup.

After a very successful start to their season the Ladies, for once, also had a somewhat torrid seven days with only one success in the four matches played.

On Monday, Penarth visited Barry Athletic in the two rink “Alan Martin” KO competition.

The Rectory Road men put in a very creditable performance with the scores tied after 14 ends but a very useful Barry outfit prevailed in the end by just five shots, with Penarth’s winning rink comprising Clive Fry (in fine form after his Cornish sojourn where he kept rigidly to a strict diet of pasties and clotted cream), Colin Grant, Phil Davies and Ron Birkby.

The Alliance team could not quite maintain their recent successful run, in Tuesday’s outing at Sophia Gardens, where Cardiff BC finally prevailed by 10 shots overall.

Haydn Trow’s recent practice sessions have clearly paid dividends as he lead John Peterson, Dave Ingram and Neil Gaskell to Penarth’s sole success, though Peter Small and Ron Maggs both came very close.

Wednesday’s Munro Cup match against Rhoose produced the best result of the week with Penarth gaining a convincing 41 shot win and 13 points.

The top rink of the night was skipped by Dave Dalby, with excellent support from Colin Grant, Rob Grant and Alan Stockham. Penarth truly dominated in this one with Nick Chandler and Clive Fry also weighing in with substantial successes and Brian Brennan, (surprisingly finishing last), providing a tied rink to add the extra point.

The men from Rectory Road struggled somewhat to make an impact at Mackintosh BC in Saturday’s PG 1 game. Some keen bowling from the home side and a somewhat tricky green saw Penarth finally succumb to their hosts by 20 shots.

All was not “gloom and doom” however as the Nick Chandler rink, where the president, accompanied by Bob Horne, Dave Hilldrup and Gareth Rosser won by four shots after a flying start and Dave Dalby, with Dave Plank, Alan Stockham and Ron Birkby somewhat unfortunate to only end up all square.

The Ladies came down to earth somewhat last week winning only one of the four matches played.

The Evening League match against Rumney Gardens ended in defeat for both Rectory Road rinks and a losing margin of 18-41.

Tuesday’s Double-Rinker against Pontyclun produced a better performance with skip Kath Jenkins, in company with Christina Church, Val Letton and Lorraine Palmer gaining a good 15-11 win but, sadly, the team went down by nine shots overall.

Wednesday’s rearranged match with Llantrisant was described by captain Lorraine as “very forgettable” with both Penarth rinks going down against some excellent bowling from the opposition, but, happily, Thursday did provide success with a 53-43 victory over their very good friends from Murch BC.

The top rink of Tricia Brinkworth, Mary Bowen, Diana Willcocks and Chris Church provided a 19-11 win and this was well backed up with success on the part of Joyce Allen’s rink.

This week’s mystery was provided by Dave Hilldrup, who, I understand, was at one point well on the way to Newport in his endeavour to reach City Road. Time to ditch the Albanian Sat-Nav Dave?