BARRY Romilly Bowls Club had mixed fortunes this week with the ‘A’ team taking centre stage with a game against second placed Blaenrhondda at home with the result paramount towards the league title chase.

The Club side were involved in a similar match away to Troedyrhiw, who still have a bearing on who wins the league which includes St Joseph’s, but if Romilly won the game they would be odds on to win the league with two home games left.

Romilly welcomed Blaenrhondda to Romilly Park on Saturday for a game which would have a major input into this year’s league Champions. With both sides already promoted and Romilly four points ahead a good win for the ‘Rom’ would virtually seal the league title as the final game is against near bottom St Joseph’s ‘A’.

The Romilly team was one of the strongest ‘A’ teams ever selected and were also fortunate to have first team member Brian Foscolo available as he was unable to travel with the Club Team.

It was imperative for Romilly to hit the ground running and this they managed with the rinks of Howard Jones and Roger Jones surging ahead from end one and by the end of the fifth were leading 13 – 1 and 12 – 1 respectively.

At the same stage Andrew Hacher’s rink was one down and Tony Freeman’s rink was four behind but overall Romilly were 19 ahead 30 – 11. Over the next five ends Romilly held onto their early advantage with both Jones rinks maintaining their good start and Hacher’s rink turning their fortunes around and now leading 10 – 7, unfortunately Freeman’s rink didn’t score a shot in this period and were behind 1 – 10 but Romilly still held their 19 shot advantage 44 – 25.

By the 15th end Howard Jones rink of Dennis Mottram, Brian Cheal and Brian Foscolo had pulled further ahead leading 26 – 6 whilst Roger Jones rink suffered a setback dropping eight shots over ends 12 to 15.

Hacher’s rink continued their recovery and were now five shots clear and Freeman’s rink were fighting hard to reduce their deficit and by the 15th end were now just three down 7 – 10, more importantly Romilly had progressed to an overall lead 72 – 43 a 29 shot lead with six ends to play.

Although a victory was vital each rink win would be icing on the cake and sure enough, excellent play by the rink of Dave Noble, Paul Clarke, Des Bannister and Hacher got the result needed winning 24 – 18 and the two points in the bag.

Freeman’s rink of Colin Davies, Mike Gronow and third Bob Wyatt who had been eating into their deficit lost their way over the final ends succumbing to the visitors consistent bowling eventually going down by eight shots 13 – 21.

It was the rinks of Howard Jones and Roger Jones who were well ahead at the 15th end and maintained their excellent form to win 30 – 12 and 30 – 15 respectively. Roger Jones rink of Phil Gershenson, Bryn Gough and Paul Williams played exceptionally well over the last few ends scoring 10 shots to the oppositions two, securing an overall victory for Romilly 97 – 66 and with three rinks winning finished with 12 points to Blaenrhondda’s two points.

This result should be enough to secure the league title for the ‘Rom’ as they are now 14 points ahead and require just one point from their game against St Joseph’s ‘A’ next week to be sure of the title.

The Romilly Club side travelled to Troedyrhiw last Saturday hoping to successfully continue their push for the 1st Division Title in the CML. Having beaten Troedyrhiw quite comfortably at home recently, confidence was high but the Romilly players knew that no visit to Troedyrhiw is an easy fixture as Saturday proved.

There was concern on arrival as the green looked in poor condition and areas of the green looked unplayable as was proven as the game commenced. In fairness the home side apologised for the condition of the green which wasn’t their fault and the local authority should be ashamed to allow a facility to be unprepared such as this green.

The game began with both sets of players trying to get to terms with the conditions and after five ends the home team were ahead by just one shot.

At the end of the tenth Romilly were working hard on all rinks and they were rewarded with a lead of three shots 43 – 40. From the 11th end the Romilly rinks of Cogbill, Wright and Newman lost their way as the home side took charge leading these rinks by six, nine and 10 respectively, it was only the rink of Alun Bryan, Ray Hewitson Rhodri Phillips and skip Fred Phillips who were playing well leading the visitors rink skipped by Welsh International Lee Morgan’s 14 – 8 but overall the ‘Rom’ were behind by 18 shots 46 – 64.

During the final six ends Romilly were struggling to cope with the pressure exerted by the opposition even Phillips’s rink lost the initiative losing two shots on the final end to draw. A disappointing afternoon for Romilly with three losing rinks and a draw taking one point to Troedyrhiw’s 13.

Although this was a dent to Romilly’s title hopes the title is still Romilly’s to lose as they are three points ahead of St Joseph’s with two home games left and The Joe’s have a home game to play against Troedyrhiw.

Rink Scores:-

F Phillips 16 v L Morgan 16

G Cogbill 18 v A Hitrenc 22

J Wright 13 v R Amhers 23

M Newman 14 v R Davies 21