PENARTH Bowling Club’s 2015 outdoor season duly came to its conclusion last week with two victories in the Private Greens Leagues but a couple of very disappointing performances in the Les Heap trophy.

Tuesday evening saw Penarth take the trip to Pentyrch for the last of this season’s PG One games. The only downside of a pleasant evening’s bowling was the blinding sun which caused visibility problems as it sank ever lower at one end of the green.

However, this did not distract the Rectory Road men too much as they secured a win by 70 shots to 52 and with three rinks up and one drawn, the 13 points gained at least secured the respectability of a mid-table place in this year’s league.

Pick of the visiting rinks was the quartet of Lawrence Brooke, Dave Hilldrup, Roger Gidman and skip, Bob Willmott with a 17-10 success and the foursome of Paul Church, Joe Ellis, Alan Stockham and skip Dave Plank (16-9). With solid performances from the Bob Hill rink ((20-16) and a well-earned draw for Dave Dalby, Penarth were always in control.

Penarth’s visit to Belle Vue Park on Wednesday for a Les Heap Triples match proved that fortunes in bowls can change drastically in a very short space of time.

The Rectory Road outfit had enjoyed two victories against their near neighbours in previous encounters this season but the Belle Vue team were certainly in an uncompromising mood on this occasion as they proceeded to take their visitors apart with victory on all four rinks and a winning scoreline of 62 shots to 44.

Penarth never really adapted to the slower pace of the Belle Vue green and a combination of full length jacks and some excellent bowling from the hosts proved decisive at the end.

Saturday’s final PG Two match was at Dinas Powys where the home side had already secured promotion, but Mike England’s men were not at all phased at the prospect of locking horns with the champions and duly won the match by 85-79 to complete the double over the villagers.

Pick of the Penarth rinks was the rink comprising Tony Gent, Charlie Mould, Alan Stockham and skip, Bob Willmott (22-17) and close behind were Peter Needham, Dave Plank, John Whitfield and Roger Gidman (22-17).

A single shot win for Guy Thomas set the seal on a successful campaign. The least said bout Penarth’s visit to The Windsor for the last of the Les Heap Trophy matches the better. In glorious weather on a perfect day for bowls the home side largely outplayed Penarth on this occasion. The bright spots for the Rectory Road men were a win for Colin Grant, aided by Don Shirley and Berwyn Lansley (17-10) and a narrow defeat for Bob Hill’s Trio.

The other two Penarth rinks were largely ineffective against some consistently excellent bowling from the hosts, particularly from Mike Jones, Chas Burton and Steve Ellard, who gave something of a masterclass on the day.

Saturday’s matches marked the conclusion of the 2015 outdoor season and Penarth can now look forward to Monday’s AGM followed by the opening of the new indoor season’s bowling.

On October 5, a mixed party from the club will pay their annual visit to Torquay and members are reminded to pack a copy of Mike England’s “Guide To Brixham” an essential companion for this trip.

The season has had its high spots, including qualification for the KO stages of the WBA, after winning the group stage, and reaching the finals of the Hugh Meddins Trophy and the Single Rink competition. A foursome from the club also won the Belle Vue Centenary Competition in June.

The club finished a very creditable third in the Munro Cup and were mid table in the PG One. The PG Two side were also very successful and finished in a very creditable fourth place in the final table.

Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make 2015 such a success, particularly club captain Phil Davies, who has just completed an amazing two-year stint in the job. Phil has been an exemplary captain and provided the calmness and patience needed in this very demanding position throughout - even managing to retain his sanity, which is no mean feat.

A Team captain Mike England has likewise done a first class job in looking after the second team. Mike has proved to be a diligent and hard-working captain who has conscientiously fulfilled his duties efficiently at all times.

Ladies captain Lorraine Palmer can also look back on 2015 with pride as she has proved to be an inspiring and popular leader throughout.

Lastly, many thanks to the staff at the Penarth Times for giving the club such excellent coverage this season. This is very much appreciated by all at Rectory Road, and indeed by the wider Penarth public, if the feedback is anything to go by.