LADIES OPEN TOURNAMENT

The annual Saundersfoot Ladies Open Tournament took place over two days last weekend and was enjoyed by all the competitors who had come from all over Pembrokeshire and further afield.

On Friday the two wood triples took place for the Kath and Paul Blayney Shield whilst Saturday saw the ladies compete in the singles competitions for the Joan Osbourne and Joan Proctor trophies.

Kath Blayney from the home club did a rare feat in winning the double, accompanying Jo Shewry and Kathy Jenner of Whitland to success in the triples and winning the main singles for the second time in three years.

Jo Shewry also won the secondary singles played for by those who had been knocked out in the first round, a success she also achieved in 2006.

In glorious sunshine on the first day of competition, the triples played in two groups in a round robin format with the top two in each section progressing to the semi-final stage.

Kathy Jenner, Kath Blayney and Jo Shewry defeated defending champions Glenys Scourfield Betty James and Di Davies of Pembroke Dock nine shots to two whilst Cynthia Edwards and Collette Bethwaite of Pembroke Dock and Viv Kerrison of Whitland were victorious over Pam Smith, Lyn Hoad and Pam Langdon of Haverfordwest by eight shots to three.

In the final, the two Kaths and Jo never gave their opponents a look in and won by seven shots to nil, winning the trophy and thirty pounds each whilst the runners up received fifteen pounds each.

Jo seems to like this competition as she has now won it on three occasions with varying partners!

On Saturday, on a much cooler but fine day, which was appreciated by those who had played throughout the heat of Friday, the singles were a straight knock out formula and in the semi –finals of the premier singles, which was an all Saundersfoot affair, Chris Haley defeated Ann Lewis by fifteen shots to ten whilst Kath Blayney overcame Ceris Hewlings by fifteen shots to twelve.  

In the final, Kath played superbly and ran out the winner by fifteen shots to five to take the cup and fifty pounds prize money, Chris receiving twenty five pounds.

In the secondary singles, the final was a repeat of last year between Jo Shewry of Whitland and Audrey Williams of Saundersfoot but whereas Audrey won through last year, this time Jo gained her revenge, edging home by two shots.

At the presentation ceremonies, club chairman and tournament organiser   Paul Blayney thanked his wife Kath who had not only played so successfully over the two days but had also arranged the entries and the catering for the event.

He also stated that although he had personally been playing bowls for thirty years and Kath only the past eleven, she would soon be telling him how to play!

 Diane, Claire, Mary, Alwen and Ceris were thanked for their contributions in manning the kitchen and serving splendid meals,( some items having been home- made and donated) organising the raffles and all round help.

Fred Rogers was thanked for acting as umpire over the two days, Brian Deeley for manning the bar and the gentlemen and ladies of the club who had acted as markers for the singles, namely George Cavell, Alan Brace, Joe Dennis, Colin and Sue Roden, Brian Deeley and Gwenda Rees.

Thanks was also given to those who had donated raffle prizes and to Gerald and Chris who had provided a superb bowling surface which has to be one of the best in Wales.

Paul also thanked the competitors, not only for their support but for their sportsmanship which contributed to the wonderful atmosphere which had prevailed over the two days.

At the close of both days, Vice-Chairlady Ann Lewis thanked Paul for all his hard work in ensuring that the competitions ran, as usual, like clock-work.