PHOTO:
Left to right:  Ashley Hooper Tenby BC Sudbury Bowl Winner, Hugh Williams PDBC Alfred Phillips Bowl Winner & Richard Jones Texaco Shield winner.

This year’s Open Week tournament at Pembroke Dock Bowling Club, the 72nd in its history, was blessed with exceptional weather all week, with not a single break for rain.  Three excellent finals took place with some superb bowling from all the competitors.

Congratulations all round

 
The event was once again well organised and run by Mr Gerard Thomas of PDBC who did a wonderful job keeping the schedule of play ticking over, creating an excellent spectacle for the many spectators who were present every day.

The groundsmen must be congratulated on maintaining the green in tip top condition and were praised by visiting bowlers and club members for their sterling work in making the bowling week such a success.

The amazing ladies of Pembroke Dock Bowling Club once again excelled in the catering department, covering 10-hour shifts each day, providing meals for the competitors and spectators.  The bar staff kept all members and visitors well refreshed.  Special mention must go to David Finn who spent many hours behind the bar.

Top competition for top trophies

 
The two main trophies are the Alfred Phillips Bowl and the Sudbury Bowl, with the Texaco Shield played for by bowlers eliminated from the earlier rounds of the main trophies.

In the Alfred Phillips Bowl, Hugh Williams, the captain of PDBC came up against Ken Edwards of PDBC.  It was a very tight game over the opening ends with both players playing some excellent shots.  But as the game wore on Hugh began to master the green with some excellent drawing shots, eventually running out the winner by 21 shots to 11.  This was Hugh’s first open week tournament win but he will no doubt go on to win many more over the coming years.

In the Sudbury Bowl final, two players who had played very well all week faced one another.  Paul Morgan from Milford Haven BC, known as Podge to many, came up against the formidable Ashley Hooper of Tenby BC.  This was an excellent game with Ashley pulling away, but Podge, with his fighting spirit, pulling the score back to 20 shots all going into the last end.  It didn’t end there; the final was decided on the last end by a measure going to Ashley running out the winner by 21 shots to 20.

Richard comes out on top – and Collette does a great job

 
In the final of the Texaco Shield, Paul Griffiths of PDBC came up against the experienced Richard Jones of PDBC.  Although Paul played extremely well, the experience of Richard told in the end with him running out the winner by 21 shots to 11.

A special mention must go to the umpire, Collette Bethwaite, who diligently carried out her duties from the first match of each day until the last.  Also to all the members who volunteered their time to act as markers.  The top markers for the week were Pat Benn and Reg Thomas, well done to you both.

The presentation of the trophies was carried out by the Chairman of PDBC Mr Alan Yea.
There was a superb buffet and raffle to cap off an excellent week at the close of play.