MEMBERS of Windsor Bowling Club headed to Pembrokeshire for their 2016 tour after being waved off by their partners at the gates of the club.

The customised coach, with stair-lift and commodes, plus earplugs for those sat near to Andrew Morgan, departed at 9am; or noon if you went by the ever reliable roundabout and library clocks.

On arrival at the superb Tenby Cliffe-Norton Hotel the players quickly made themselves at home, especially when they were joined by a mixed touring group from Warwickshire. The Windsor club’s dentistry expert, Phillip Barry, was quick to offer his services to any of the Warwick ladies who might have problematic faults with their dentures and Alan Davies provided a very nimble partner on the dance floor, with his Latin American, a particular favourite.

The Windsor tourists were Harry Watter, Alun Daniel, Bryn Peregrine, Paul Parker, Dave Johnson, Ian Mathias, Phil Barry, Austen Meredith, Andrew Morgan, AJ Hardess, Michael Fullbrock, Nelson’s Surgeon - Alan Dudley, Derek Davies, Charles Burton, David Hales, Eddie Thorne, Clive Palfrey, Phillip Gooding, Roger Ellis, Timothy White, Martin Dorrell, Brian Rogers, Michael Lloyd-Jones, Tommy Owen, Steve Ellard, Maurice Clift, Alan Davies and hair stylist to the stars and mastermind finalist Michael Cuccenellio.

The four matches played in glorious Tenby sunshine against Pembroke, Tenby, Pendine and Saundersfoot ended in three narrow defeats and one victory. The much sought after "diddler" which helped to swell depleted wallets went to the rinks of Alan Dudley, Badger Lloyd-Jones, Charles Burton and on two occasions, more by luck than judgement, Eddie Thorne.

Thankfully, dashing David Hales skipped one of those victories so a relaxed atmosphere ensued.

The tourists were indebted to Brian Rogers, Alun Daniels, Clive Palfrey and Ian Mathias for their efforts in making the tour such a success and to Brian, Alun, Badger and Mike Fullbrook for their superb captaincy.

The 2017 tour to Herefordshire and Monmouthshire is now finalised, with games against Hereford City, Weobly, Presteigne and Monmouth/Abergavenny. Sponsorship will come from the ladies’ amenity fund, being held in an off-shore Panamanian island, and a homecoming meal will be prepared by Deliah Owens, Nigella Thomas and Mary Roberts, if television dates and book signings allow.