Abergavenny began their competitive season last Saturday with an MBA game at Croesyceiliog. On a bitterly cold afternoon more suited to winter sport than bowls, Abergavenny managed to win on three rinks to gain a hard fought victory by 72 shots to 62.

The result on three rinks was very close with Abergavenny winning by one shot on two rinks and losing by one on the other. Victory by nine shots on the remaining rink sealed victory for Abergavenny. This was the rink of Gethin Hill who forged ahead from the twelfth end to establish an eight shot lead. They then sealed their victory by scoring four shots on the final three ends to win by 20 shots to 11.

Although the rink of Anthony Moriarty was behind throughout their encounter, they scored six shots while conceded only three over the final four ends to win their game by 21 shots to 20. Matthew Vale’s rink was engaged in a close match with the lead changing hands throughout their game. Victory for the Abergavenny rink was gained when they scored three shots on the penultimate end and then held on to their advantage to win by 15 shots to 14. The rink of Robert Poynter was eight shots behind after eight ends but then fought back to be all square on the penultimate end. The Abergavenny rink was denied victory when the Croesyceiliog skip wrested the shot from Abergavenny with his final bowl to defeat the Abergavenny rink by 17 shots to 16.

Last week Abergavenny Ladies played a friendly triples game against Blackwood at Avenue Road. Victories on two rinks and a tie on the third rink secured a comfortable victory by 40 shots to 25 for the home team. Wendy Parker’s rink established an early lead and went on to build on their lead to win by 17 shots to five. After a closely fought and exciting game, the rink of Mary Evans secured victory by 14 shots to 11. Judy Belli’s rink was held to a draw, the game finishing nine all.

Abergavenny Mixed team played their first friendly of the season when Hay-on-Wye Bowls Club visited last Sunday. They secured victory by 58 shots to 48 by winning on the two rinks of Gethin Hill and John Vale, drawing on the rink of Ladies Captain Mary Evans. The rink of John Whomersley suffered a defeat, but by only one shot.

This coming weekend Abergavenny host Rhymney Gwent for an MBA game on Saturday and then play a Mixed Friendly fixture at Pontyfelin on Sunday.