Abergavenny Bowls Club men’s team played two EMBA league games in the past week.

The first of these was at Bailey Park, where Abergavenny managed to win on three of the four rinks to win the game comfortably and gain six league points. The second game in this competition was at Chepstow. This was a much closer game but Abergavenny managed to secure victories on three rinks to win the game by 72 shots to 68, again winning six league points.

The rink of Anthony Moriarty was involved in a “see-saw” game with the lead changing hands throughout the 18 ends. Amazingly, the Abergavenny rink managed to score five shots on the final end to secure victory by 23 shots to 21. John Beaton’s rink built a ten shot lead by halfway. Although the Chepstow rink drew level after 14 ends, the Abergavenny rink regained the initiative to win by 21 shots to 16.

Matthew Vale’s rink was behind for the first eight ends. The Abergavenny rink then took control to win seven of the next ten ends, enabling the rink to win the game by 15 shots to nine. Unfortunately, the rink of Gethin Hill was ten shots down after nine ends. Against a very good Chepstow rink, they were unable to reduce this deficit and were beaten by 22 shots to 13.

The ladies have not had a game in the past week but tomorrow, (Friday), will host the South Wales & Monmouthshire County Pairs competition. Players from teams within the county will compete to win through to the final stages of the competition, which will be held later in the season. Abergavenny Ladies will be visiting Blackwood for a friendly fixture, the day prior to the County Pairs competition.

On Saturday Abergavenny play their first game in the Carruthers Cup when Belle Vue provide the opposition at Avenue Road. On Sunday, Abergavenny will play a six rink game against a team made up of the other clubs in the EMBA. This game is being held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of membership of Abergavenny Bowls Club for Robert Poynter.