Abergavenny Bowls Club began their competitive season last Saturday with an MBA game against Rhymney Gwent at Avenue Road.

The game was evenly balanced throughout, there being only one shot difference after 18 ends. Rhymney Gwent then took the upper hand over the last three ends to forge ahead and register a victory by 85 shots to 75.

The one successful rink for Abergavenny was that of Anthony Moriarty. The rink was four shots behind after seven ends. They then scored 17 shots, without reply, over the next eight ends to take a lead which they maintained to record a victory by 23 shots to 13. John Beaton’s rink could not get into the game and was 13 shots behind after 11 ends. They managed to turn things round in the second half of their game to eventually lose by only three shots, with a score of 23 shots to 20.

Although Gethin Hill’s rink led by four shots after seven ends they then conceded 12 shots over the next five ends. This gave the Rhymney Gwent rink the impetus to secure a victory by 26 shots to 21. The rink of Matthew Vale was only two shots behind after ten ends. However, their opponents then seized the initiative, scoring fifteen shots and conceding only five, to win by 23 shots to 11.

The GBL team travelled to Pontypool Park/Girling to play their first game after a season out of competitive league bowling. Some of the team were also making their debut in competitive league bowls. On a glorious afternoon, their more experienced opponents proved too strong for Abergavenny and they were comfortably defeated on all three rinks.

It is hoped that both these defeats will prove to be a “one off” and that both of the Abergavenny Men’s teams can get on the winning track in their games this weekend.

It was totally different for Abergavenny Ladies as they travelled to Panteg House for a friendly prior to the commencement of their league season. They won on all three rinks to record a substantial victory by 54 shots to 30.

The rink of Mary Evans held a one shot lead after five ends. They then took control of the game and scored thirteen shots, conceding only one, over the last five ends to win by 26 shots to four. Judy Belli’s rink scored five shots over the last two ends to snatch victory by one shot, winning 13 shots to 12. Sue Williams’ rink was four shots behind after five ends but then built a five shot lead and survived a late surge by the Panteg House rink to win by 15 shots to 14.

This weekend Abergavenny play an MBA game at Cwmbran Park, a GBL game against Caerleon at Avenue Road. A mixed ladies and men’s team will also play a friendly on Sunday when Pontyfelin provide the opposition at Avenue Road.