ON Sunday, November 2 Penarth welcomed Cowbridge BC for a mixed game, which, in the event, provided a stern test for the home side.

The visitors, who are well used to an artificial surface in the summer months, quickly adapted to conditions at Penarth’s Indoor Stadium and bowled extremely well throughout. By the close, Reg Jones’ rink had narrowly edged their way to victory whilst Betty Jones also prevailed after a fighting display from the opposing four.

To everyone’s surprise, Bob Lewis, usually invincible at Rectory Road Indoor, went down to defeat on this occasion, a rare occurrence indeed. It was left to the redoubtable Bob Hill to put a semblance of respectability on Penarth’s performance and, ably assisted by Paul Church, June Williams and Diana Willcocks, he eventually won through by 19-11, leaving Penarth winners by 13 shots overall.

The least said about Wednesday’s trip to Rhiwbina the better. After the first session, Penarth trailed by a mere three shots, thanks to a fine win by Bob Willmott’s rink and a gritty performance by Bob Hill.

In the second session the good work was continued by Nick Thomas, who, with the able assistance of John Bowen, Derek Musk and Dave Ingram proved to be the visitors top rink with a five shot win.

However all this fine work was totally nullified by the utter annihilation of the captain’s four who were not so much roasted but rather subjected to a thrashing by the home quartet.

Their performance was so abject that afterwards members had to persuade Haydn not to phone the “Samaritans” in case his story would depress them too much. Meanwhile, Tony and Guy Thomas were seriously considering donning a Llama outfit and emigrating to Peru, whilst captain Ron, noting it was November 5, left the building to throw his woods on the nearest bonfire, but, in keeping with the rest of the evening’s performance, the bowls landed three yards short.