ABERGAVENNY played their final MBA game of the season last Saturday when Bedwelty Park were the visitors to Avenue Road for a relegation deciding fixture.

After a close and tense game Abergavenny managed to win on two rinks, draw on one and lose on the remaining rink to win by 90 shots to 85, gaining 11 points to retain their Division Two status. This result also consigned their opponents to Division Three for the 2019 season.

The successful rinks for Abergavenny were those of Jack Vale and John Beaton. Jack Vale’s rink had a tremendous start building a nine shot lead after six ends. Their opponents then fought back to be only one shot behind after 15 ends but the Abergavenny rink then took control again to go on to victory by 24 shots to 17.

The rink of John Beaton was engaged in a close game but managed to gain the upper hand over the final four ends to record a victory by 21 shots to 17.

Matthew Vale’s rink built a 16 shot lead by the halfway stage of their game. Their opponents then reversed their fortunes by taking command of the second half, during which the Abergavenny rink could score only one shot, scoring 17 shots to draw the game 21 all.

Anthony Moriarty’s rink had a nine shot deficit after three ends. They gradually reduced their opponents lead to be all square by the fourteenth end but the Bedwelty Park rink outscored them over the final quarter to win by 30 shots to 24.

During the past week the club has also played two mixed team friendly games. The first of these was at Avenue Road against Oakley Bowling Club from the Basingstoke area. They had arranged a tour as part of their 40th Anniversary celebrations. The visitors finally took the honours after a very close fought but pleasant and friendly game. The visitors were presented with an Abergavenny Bowls Club plaque as a memento of their visit and it is hoped that Abergavenny can visit the Oakley Bowls Club at some time in the future. The second fixture was at old friends St Martin’s Bowls Club in Hereford. Once again it was a closely contested but friendly game with the home side taking the honours.

This Sunday Abergavenny has several members who have won through to the finals of the EMBA competitions at Caldicot Bowls Club. The club’s best wishes go to John Vale, Jack Vale, Matthew Vale, John Marsh, Dewi Williams, Gethin Hill and Sue Williams who will all be endeavouring to become EMBA champions in various categories. This week Abergavenny Ladies will also be playing a friendly fixture against Panteg House.