THE Welsh National Men’s Finals were staged at Llandrindod’s international standard greens last week.

The Mid Wales highlight and Llandrindod interest mainly centred around the Senior Triples on thrilling Thursday because they beat Beaufort, in the semi finals 18-14 after 18 ends in a mostly close match. They went a comfortable 14-3 after 11 ends, with all three local bowlers, Brian Jones, Tom Evans and Ken Price, having their moments, with especially skip Ken having good games in the semis and resulting final. I thought the semi final was a closer game than the final as shown by the scorelines, Beaufort playing a good match but matters did not go their way. In the final against the Porthcawl trio of G Ross, J Roberts and P Henson the eventual score was 25-6 to the Llandrindod three, who gained a decisive 5 on the last end. Skip Ken Price with some excellent shots was in pleasing form and capable of upping his game if the need arose. So congratulations to the Llandrindod senior triples team for winning the 2017 Welsh title, who had earlier in the week on their way to the final beaten Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire 27-6 in the first round and then Tick Tock of West Glamorgan 22-7 in the second round.

In the Friday morning Senior Fours semi finals the Llandrindod quartet of Eddie Williams, Barry Harrison, Tom Evans (already a winner in the above triples) and Nigel Price, were leading Resolven 7-4 after 6 ends before the heavy rain came on the premier green and play was switched to the bottom green. Here the home four seemed to lose their momentum, and a five for their opponents on the the 11th end made the scores level at 11-11, two ends later Llandrindod got a six, which enabled them to eventually win 21-16 after 18 ends. In the final against Brynmawr it was close at the start before the Llandrindod four improved to lead 13-7 after 12 ends. Then unfortunately they fell away not scoring after the above end, with the Brynmawr skip Graham Congreve having an excellent game, when on one end the home bowlers were holding at least six shots, he came in and took shot.

OTHER RESULTS CONCERNING LOCAL BOWLERS

In the Tuesday Open Pairs Mid Wales representatives Ashley Morris and Clive Martin won their first round match by the very comfortable and convincing 30-15 margin against T West and S Entwhistle of Lampeter, but in the next round lost by the narrowest of margins 20-19 to G Thomas and M Clarke (Barry Athletic), following an extra 19th end.

In the Under 25’s Singles Sam Roff (Llandrindod & Mid Wales) beat R Tomlinson (Aberavon) 21-15 in round 1, but unfortunately lost in 2nd round 21-17 to J Wilshire, Abertillery.

OTHER NEWS

Congratulations are due to to Jess Sims, Wendy Price, and Kayleigh Morris of Llandrindod Wells on their selection for the 2018 Welsh Women’s International Squad.