PENARTH Bowling Club paid their annual visit to Rhiwbina BC for this week’s indoor match, played on Wednesday on the home club’s unique short green rink.

As this is quite unlike anything normally experienced by the visitors it goes without saying that it represents something of a challenge in bowling terms, and, although Penarth gave a very good account of themselves local knowledge was everything in this match and Rhiwbina triumphed by 16 shots overall.

These fixtures are held over two sessions as the Rhiwbina venue has only two rinks and the opening session saw the Bob Hill rink put up a very commendable display.

Bob, with the help of Alan Stockham, John Bowen and a promising youngster called Don Butler, almost prevailed only for the home rink to snatch victory by a mere two shots at the close.

Sadly, Bob Willmott’s rink did not get off to the best of starts and, despite a late fightback, went down by 14 shots.

The second session produced a very close run thing indeed.

“Whispering” Dave Clements, backed up by Dave Ingram, Ron Birkby and Derrick Musk put in a spirited performance to go down by a mere four shots against a particularly competitive home foursome.

However, if Rhiwbina were harbouring hopes of a whitewash they had reckoned without that superior force comprising all three Thomas brothers.

Some consistent leading from Tony Thomas, and an excellent display by skip Nick Thomas was matched by Guy Thomas at number three and the ever reliable Phil Davies who made up the rink at second.

The frequent roars of encouragement from Guy left no one in doubt as to who was getting the better of things and the “Thomas gang” turned in a very notable 16-13 success to provide the highlight in the proceedings from the Penarth perspective.

Would members please note that the mixed match with Llantwit Major has been moved from November 14 to November 21, to avoid a clash with the Club’s annual dinner at the Masonic Hall.