Successful week of wins for Barry Romilly Bowling Club

The Munro Cup team entertained local rivals Barry Central at Romilly Park on Wednesday, August 5, taking the full 14 points leaving a chance to win the cup when they visit Penarth Windsor on Wednesday, August 12, in a repeat of last year's play off which saw the ‘Rom’ take the cup.

Last week saw Romilly play two games, the first on Friday evening against Troedyrhiw which was a re-arranged fixture and the second on Saturday was a visit to Caerphilly.

Both games were of massive importance in regard to Romilly’s chances of the league title this season. Similarly Romilly ‘A’ side who are also chasing the league title welcomed Cyfarthfa Castle team from Merthyr to Romilly Park.

The ‘Rom’ welcomed Troedyrhiw to the Park on Friday evening in a re-arranged fixture of vital importance in context of the league with Troedyrhiw although some 25 shots behind they had two games in hand.

The game had to be reduced to 18 ends to beat the light as the start was slightly delayed waiting for some visitors to arrive. When the game began the Romilly players appeared up for the game pressurising the visitors from the off and by the fifth end had a lead of nine shots.

The rink of Alan Bannister, Ray Hewitson, Fred Phillips and Brian Foscolo for once hit the ground running ahead by seven shots at the fifth and 10 shots at the end of the tenth, 15 – 5.

Mel Newman’s rink of Kelvyne Mills, Terry ‘smiler’ Bloomfield and Clive Collins were down by one shot in the early ends but had a purple patch during ends six to 10 scoring

13 shots without reply moving ahead 16 – 4.

The other Romilly rinks skipped by Jeff Wright and Graham Cogbill were having more of a struggle and at the halfway stage were four down and just one ahead respectively.

The overall score at the end of the tenth was in favour of the ‘Rom’ 45 – 26 with three rinks ahead therefore it was imperative for all rinks to push on to secure the points.

Foscolo and Newman’s rinks were playing against top Troedyrhiw skips Richie Davies and Dai ‘Bomber’ Jones but they had no answer to the excellent bowling of the ‘Rom’ rinks who ran out easy winners by 23 – 6 and 27 – 6 respectively.

Cogbill’s rink were having a seesaw game 15 – 9 behind at the 14th end and then going ahead by two on the penultimate end unfortunately dropping a two on the final end drawing 17 – 17. This left Wright’s rink last on the green once again in a close struggle but again losing out by just one shot after being three behind picking up a two and just not able to draw a third with the last bowl.

Romilly ran out overall winners by 90 – 48 taking 11 of the 14 points which places Romilly 12 points clear at the top of the league and importantly removes the challenge of Troedyrhiw.

Romilly travelled to Caerphilly on Saturday in a confident mood having dispensed of Troedyrhiw the previous evening but uncertain of the team the home side would have available.

Although the ‘Rom’ players enjoy pitching their skills against the best it was pleasing to the ear to find that two of their internationals, namely Marc Wyatt and Ian Henderson, were unavailable.

The game began on a green which was difficult at best and took a lot of concentration to lay good bowls yet after five ends Romilly held a slender two shot lead. During ends six to 10 the ‘Rom’ players played well with all rinks ahead giving Romilly an overall advantage of 18, 47 – 29.

The rink of Jeff Coles, Alun Bryan, George Trepleton and Jeff Wright for once were in a comfortable position leading 22 – 10 after the 15th end whereas Romilly’s other rinks were embroiled in struggles with all rinks fairly even but Romilly were still 15 ahead overall.

It was vital for the ‘Rom’ over the final six ends to maintain their form to ensure a win and importantly keep ahead of the rest of the teams at the top. Wright’s rink were in impressive form and continued their excellent play right up to the end running out decisive winners 34 – 14, plus the rinks of Foscolo and Newman also fought hard over the last

few ends winning by 22 – 16 and 19 – 13 respectively.

Ironically Cogbill’s rink who had drawn the previous evening were leading by one shot but once again lost a one on the final end to draw once again but this was still a good result

against the Caerphilly rink skipped by Welsh International Martin Selway.

The result was a fantastic win especially away from home 92 – 60 with three rinks up and a draw giving the ‘Rom’ 13 points to Caerphilly’s one point.

The two days produced 24 points out of 28 which was superb although unexpected and still leaves The ‘Rom’ 12 points clear at the top of the league table.

Romilly welcomed fourth placed Cyfarthfa Castle to Romilly Park on Saturday hoping to recover from the previous weeks defeat and get back on track towards the title.

The visitor’s are a useful side and are able to create an upset therefore the ‘Rom’ players had to be on their game to get a result as the first five ends proved with the home side just ahead by three shots.

Romilly desperately needed to up their game and this came from the rinks of Paul Williams and Howard Jones who surged into leads of 14 – 4 and 13 – 5 respectively offsetting the rink of Andrew Hacher who had gone behind 8 – 13 whilst Roger Jones rink held a one shot advantage leaving Romilly ahead at the tenth end by 14 shots 45 – 31.

Between ends 11 to 16 Romilly went further ahead thanks to the rink of Phil Herbert, Clive Tapscott, Bryn Gough and skip Roger Jones who scored 16 shots without reply as the other rinks lost focus losing five shots between them but the ‘Rom’ still held a useful lead of 22 shots.

Romilly, with five ends to go, were now confident of the overall victory and were trying to secure the individual rink points until things started to go wrong as Roger Jones rink went from heroes to villains as they dropped a six on the 17th end and a further four shots over the last four ends winning by only seven shots after being 19 ahead.

This coincided with Hacher’s rink dropping six shots over the same period, also Howard Jones rink went into self destruct as they lost a lead losing by three shots. Suddenly the panic buttons were being pressed as things became uncomfortable, fortunately the rink of Colin Davies, Mike Gronow, Brian Cheal and Paul Williams played superbly taking six shots over last ends to secure an overall eight shot win 82 – 74 and collect 10 points to maintain their lead at the top as second placed Blaenrhondda lost at Rhoose.