PENARTH Bowling Club had a largely successful time in last week’s matches with good progress in the Private Greens and Munro Cup competitions and a spirited performance in the first round of the Huw Meddins Trophy.

There were, however, mixed fortunes for the ladies and in the Alliance games.

Sunday saw the biennial excursion to Clevedon for a mixed friendly and an enjoyable day produced a finely balanced game with the hosts just edging it by five shots. Penarth had three successful rinks with Chris Davies, Sandra Roberts, Wendy Grant and skip Colin Grant leading the way with 23 - 15. Close behind were Lynda Jones, Joan Lewis, Phil Davies and Bob Lewis with 19 - 16 and Chris and Paul Church, Mary Bowen and Lawrence Brooke on 18 - 16.

The Alliance entertained Mackintosh on Tuesday and duly ran out winning by 78 - 54.

Top scorers on this occasion were Neil Gaskell, Dave Ingram, Haydn Trow and skip Dave Plank (29 - 11) closely followed by the Bob Willmott rink where Bob backed up by Ron Birkby, Bowen The Books and Lewis Evans won 25 - 11. With Colin Hicks also leading a successful four (15 - 9) the result was assured.

Penarth’s Munro Cup form has improved and Wednesday produced a rewarding 12 points from the 68 - 50 victory over Millwood at Rectory Road. There were three winning quartets with Terry Buckingham, Berwyn Lansley, Dave Hilldrup and Nick Thomas (21 - 8) leading the way. Convincing wins for Phil Davies, Ron Birkby, Bob Lewis and Clive Fry (20 - 9) and Jack Beanland, Colin Grant, Dave Plank and Dave Dalby (18 - 8) put the issue beyond doubt.

Thursday’s Alliance match at St Fagans proved to be a stern test for Brian Fisher’s men and, in a 13 shot reversal only the rink of skip Roger Gidman, Dave Hilldrup, Brian Fisher and Ron Birkby (19 - 12) came away successful.

Friday saw two triples from the club compete in the first round of the Huw Meddins Trophy. On a drizzly afternoon the Rectory Road men competed well on the artificial surface and won three of the four matches contested and must now wait to see if they qualify for the finals as one of the best runners-up.

Saturday’s PG1 match at Pentyrch was played in steady rain with Dick Edwards claiming that the jack was barely visible from the mat. Penarth battled well in the difficult conditions to earn a draw and gain seven points in the process. Pride of place went to Terry Buckingham, Neil Gaskell and Rob and Colin Grant (29 - 15) with the other successful winning four comprising Jack Beanland, Mike England, Dave Plank and Dave Dalby (22 - 11).

It is always a great pleasure to welcome old friends from Penarth Windsor to Rectory Road but, in a match played in the best of spirits, the home side were in ruthless mode on the bowling front and produced a whitewash in a comprehensive 91 - 47 victory.

Captain Russell Daniel, teamed up with Ron Birkby, Phil Davidge and skip Alan Stockham enjoyed a dream day with a 32 - 4 win whilst Bob Hill well backed by Peter Small, John Bowen and Roger Gidman cruised to a 23 - 13 success. The rinks of Brian Brennan (17 - 14) and Haydn Trow (19 - 16) battled well to ensure all 14 points and maintain Penarth’s unbeaten record in this division.

The ladies contested two matches against good friends from Murch BC last week. Monday’s evening league match saw Murch take the overall honours by just five shots despite a hard fought win for Chris Church, Jill Gaskell, Wendy Grant and skip Joyce Allen (18 - 13).

However, the Rectory Road ladies evened up the score in the double rink match on Tuesday with both fours winning in an 18 shot victory. Chris Davies, Mary Bowen, Linda Williams and captain Sue Croll were well to the fore (26 - 10) and with Joan Lewis, Diana Willcocks, Jayne Edwards and June Williams (17 - 15) also in good form the match ended with Penarth well up.