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CROSSKEYS WIN MBA GAME AWAY AT BLACKWOOD - SATURDAY 05 JUNE 2010

Webmaster Reporting  Firstly let me apologies to my readers and team mates for failing to report on a couple of games in the last 2 weeks. I have been a little under the weather lately, but am getting better quietly.  Enough of me. Let me get the bad news out of the way and say that Crosskeys lost to Pontymister Athletic away on the "slightly bumpy" Athletic ground on Thursday evening last week, in the first round of the Islwyn Cup. Three rinks down one rink up. A couple of things to note were that; Tom Hancock recorded his first failure to win a rink this season, and yes he has had some stick for it folks.
The one thing of particular note that I heard was that when Pontymister's "Tricky" was asked, by his "Friends" from Crosskeys, which football team he now supports, we had a list as long as the number of days in the year. "Tricky" obviously has all his bases covered  here in the UK and in every Foreign League known. He sure does know "a sure thing" when he sees it. "Allegedly". What happened to the single minded, one fan, one club for life philosophy?  Perhaps that's why they call him "Tricky"? Who knows?

Now to the better news from this Saturdays exploits, away at Blackwood and their "Well Known" green. In the second of Crosskeys's MBA games this season, they came away with a hard fought-for victory today, much to everyones surprise.
The "Ginger Whinger" and his boys,on rink two, got off to a really bad start dropping a total of 7 on the first two ends, and were ten shots to two  down on the fifth end. However, Blackwood's D Witchell, did not have it all his own way.  Whilst Ian and the crew fought back, winning 12 ends in total, they did not manage to regain all the shots that they dropped. Blackwood's rink 2 finished with a 24 shot to 20 win. Keys were one rink down.  

"Rock on Tommy" managed to overcome his first "Lost Rink this year" disappointment, and along with his "boy's" gained a hard fought for win over Blackwood's Mal Bidgway and co, to win 21 shots to 13. Winning 14 of the 21 ends.

Andrew Bushell and co had a more comfortable win over his opponent, A Witchell and boys, 24 shots to 12. Again winning 14 of the 21 ends. I take a bit of pride here folks when I give my "old man" Dave Howells, a plug for having a darn good game.  That comment comes from his rink mates.  Not bad for a "Spring Chicken" at being 81 this year. That makes me feel like an "Old Mother Hen". Enough of that.

"Rucker" Bryant had a bit of a rough game with Blackwood's H Jenkins, loosing out to the home side 18 shots to 13. Winning only 7 out of the 21 ends.  Needless to say there were a number of fine performances from the Crosskeys bowlers today on this "Well Known" and difficult too play green.  Every green has it's odd peculiarities, some more than most. "Allegedly".

Thank you to our hosts today Blackwood. A win today for Keys by 11 shots overall.  Well done Keys. Now to move on and concentrate on the next game.

See you all soon peoples.  Webmaster


WBA CARRUTHERS SHIELD COMPETITION - CROSSKEY'S FINAL SECTION GAME AGAINST YNYSDDU SATURDAY 22 MAY 2010

Webmaster Reporting  It was a hot, sunny, sticky day on the Ynysddu green this afternoon. No cases of sun-stroke but the "Ginger Whinger" is now a "Pickled Beetroot", and "Rucker's dome" is a shinning, highly polish and sculptured piece of mahogoney. Just for his good Lady, "Yes he had his cap with him, and no he did not wear it much". Certainly a day for sun tans and a good day for bowls.  It was a nice change for me to be sat on the side lines, getting crispy in the sun, along with Arthur Rowe, and watching the drama's unfold across all the rinks.  Ynysddu's green, was looking a little patchy, but it is quietly getting its green colour back following some "very close shaves" it received at the start of the season. That said it was a fast green, with one or two rinks having the "odd" funny runs, or so I am told. Actually they were a bit obvious from the spectators point of view, and very frustrating from the bowls. This led to some absolutely marvelous feats of bowling and some stunning "howlers". No names mentioned here, but some people just did not have a good day today, while others did. (It's all in my little black book fellas. Nudge , nudge. Wink, wink)

Crosskeys's Captain "Jimmy" Bendall got the proceedings off to a good start by wining the toss, even though he had to be fetched from the Crosskeys Club House to get the transport for the game. Keeping the other bowlers waiting for 10 minutes past the muster time.  What is it they say, "Skips must be up", and probably on time as well, I should imagine.

The Crosskeys Skip's on Rink's 2 and 3; Andrew Bushell and Ian Slade, both had a really marvelous start to the game, continuing to dominate the game on their rinks, with the full participation and support from their front end duos, as well as their Thirds. They ran out rink winners by: Rink Two 30 shots to 9. Rink Three 31 shots to 11.

The more interesting games where closer fought battles of Rink 4, with Paul Watkins and co; and Rink 1 with Simon Bushell and co.  Rink 4 managed to keep ahead of their opponents until the 12th end when Ynysddu drew level on 11 shots each. Ynysddu then took the lead on the 17th end, 16 shots to 14.  Keys regained the lead on the next end (18th) 17 shots to 16, and maintained that lead to win 22 shots to 16.

For Rink 1 skip, Simon Bushell and co, it was a very hairy game. Sorry about the pun Rucker, (Simon's Third), it sort of just come to me in a "blindingly" obvious moment of witticism. Any way, this Rinks game, was always closely contested, and included one dead end. Keys never took the lead in this game until the very last end, when Simon took 3 shots on that last end to take the lead and the Rink's victory 19 shots to 17.  In fairness to Ynysddu, their Skip, and Team Captain, Lyatten Jones, bowled his socks off, and out played the gallant efforts of Rucker, as Key's on-form Third, and Key's Skip, Simon Bushell, who was having a "bad hair day". Very unusual for him. Needless to say, however, Ynysddu were always leading from the off. This was mainly down to the efforts of Ynysddu's skip, and his last two woods. Excellent bowls Sir. Well done.

When all was finished, Crosskeys had won on all 4 rinks (just), the final total was Ynysddu 53 shots Crosskeys 102. Rink's scores were Rink 1 - Keys 19 Ynysddu 17.  Rink 2 - Keys 30 Ynysddu 9.  Rink 3 - Keys 31 Ynysddu 11. Rink 4 Keys 22 Ynysddu 16.  Well done to all concerned.  A most enjoyable game to watch.  A thank you must also go the Ynysddu ladies for the cake and sandwiches, much appreciated, and to the Lady behind the bar in the "Club House" and to the gentleman who brought the cold drinks to the green;  marvelous idea sir; and kept us up to date on the scores between Cardiff and Blackpool match.  Pity about the scores really.  Never mind. A good day had by all, with one or two exceptions.  Well done "The Keys". On to the next leg of this competition and the start of the MBA games next Saturday.

See you all soon peoples.  Webmaster


CROSSKEYS LOCAL DERBY AGINST ABERCARN IN WBA CARRUTHERS COMPETITION
SATURDAY 15 MAY 2010

Webmaster Reporting  Mr Len Morgan of Abercarn described their loss today against Crosskeys as "a bad day for Abercarn."  This local derby today was something special for both clubs. Both teams are in the same section of the WBA Carruthers competition. Both teams had played and won two others games in this section, and Abercarn were leading the table with just a six shot advantage.  Well! that was before the match began, so the pressure was on both clubs to perform well today.  There was an atmosphere on the grounds of the "mecca" this afternoon.  A little tense maybe, but not turgid, no animosity, just a sense that this was "a must win" game for both sides and everyone in those sides.

With all the goings on in Waunfawr Park today, with the local Green Festival, bands,music, crowds of people, marquees, meerkats, worm charming and skreeching parrots, the pressure was on to concentrate on the task of bowls at hand.  Just when you need the Monty Python cast to appear and to run the old "dead parrot sketch", nothing happens, except for three more hours of a skreetching parrot. Come back Monty Python all is forgiven. Whatever next, Lumberjacks?

Any way the game got underway with the visitors winning the jack, and the battle royal began.  On a relatively dry green that bowled well all day, Keys got of to a slow start on three of the four rinks. For a welcome change we had a good number of visitors sitting out side the club house as well as inside. All keeping our barman as busy as the bowlers on the green.  Some say busier.  Well done Johnny Powell and co.

With the green bowling and swinging well, Key's slow start continued to pick up pace on all four rinks.  Between periods of gloomy clouds and sparkling sunshine, Keys kept applying the pressure; right from the first wood's of the Leads to the crippling finneese of the Skip's last woods crawling or crashing throught the pack to be shot wood.  Keys were hungry for the win, with no quarter asked for and none given.  The Rinks scores were as follows:  Rink 1, Simon "Bushbaby Junior" Bushell (Keys) 32, K Driscol (Aber) 5.  Rink 2, Ian "The Ginger-Whinger" Slade (Keys) 37, N Ransome (Aber) 16. Rink 3, Andrew "The Butch Bushbaby" Bushell (Keys) 23, J Beecham (Aber) 15. Rink 4, Tom "Rock-on-Tommy" Hancock (Keys) 23, R Peart (Aber) 14. The gloomy totals, from Abercarns perspective were Keys 115 shots, Abercarn 50 shots. A clean sweep and 4 Rink win for the Keys. The only Abercarn bowler with a slight, rye smile on his face after the game was Len Morgan, who gleefully explained that the mantle of the Captain who has lost by the most number of shots to Crosskeys in the past; he lost by 50 shots sometime ago, now passed on to todays Captain for Abercarn, Mr R Winstone, and the total now stood at 65 shots. How easy is it to please somebody?  Probably just as easy to upset some, I imagine. Glad I could help you out there Len, sorry about that Ron. Don't mention it Len. Any time!

With the game over, all the pressure evaporated, and both sides enjoyed the excellent food provided. Provided by the good Ladies of Crosskeys off course. That along with a few beers and some good humor, for good measure.  That is it for now, until the next time then...!

See you soon peoples!  Webmaster.


CROSSKEYS SOUTH MON GAME HOME TO HENLEYS WEDNESDAY 12 MAY 2010

Webmaster Reporting  Despite the unseasonably cold and drizzly weather at the "mecca" a warm welcome awaited the Henley boys. Keen and eager to get started the bowlers from both sides, like Formula One Racing Teams, adopted a mix of "Slick and Wet" for the start of the game. The sensible "Wet Suites" proved to be the most comfortable at the end of the game, whilst the "slicks" complained of the cold and damp conditions. Two weeks away from "Summer" it was more like playing outdoor bowls in October.  That said, both Debs and Mary, won the hearts and minds of all the bowlers with a couple of  Hot Dogs and Onions each in the after the match snack. Definately the best tactic on this cold and damp night. Thank you Ladies.

The game itself got off to a tit-for-tat start on the first 5 ends, with all sides being equally matched, on a heavy and wet green. So much so that the "mats" were down to provide some physical protection to the green. As the evening progressed, or should that be "dragged on" in these conditions, the drizzle eased off and the green began to dry out a little bit and some swing returned to rinks. I think Crosskeys had the home advantage as the green improved and they took full advantage. Johnny Powell took advantage of the improved conditions and lifted everyones spirt with a "Wrong Bias", which was broadcast for all to hear.  Thanks Johnny. With that said Keys seemed to take control of the game from that point onwards.  Henleys boy's continued to battle on with two rinks running head to head.  At the end of the match, Keys won out with a 4 rink win, 75 shots to 51, but Henleys could so easily have taken two rinks away from Keys had the weather conditions not improved.

The hot food and cold beer were most welcom in the Club House after the match, and I think everyone was glad to get in out of the cold and damp.  I wish Henleys bowlers all the best for the rest of the season, and hope that the summer weather arrives PDQ.  Well done to all who played and to the spectators who braved the weather to support us all.

See you all soon peoples.  WebMaster


CROSSKEYS WBA GAME AWAY TO NEWPORT DOCKERS SATURDAY 08 MAY 2010

Webmaster Reporting.  An early start and a warm welcome awaited Crosskeys Bowls team today on a heavy, wet green at Belle Vue Park, against Newport Dockers.  The weather was cold and chilly, blustery winds and drizzle. So the dress code for the day was long sleeve pullovers, fleeces, jackets and waterproofs; any thing to keep warm and dry.  So much for the Spring weather in May, never mind the fact that Summer is almost upon us!  Despite the poor weather, spirits were kept up by both sides with the usual commeradery and friendly nature that the game of bowls brings.

Newport Dockers got off to a flying start on the first few ends, on a green that was really heavy and difficult too play. I don't think anybody had a printable comment from todays game, on both sides, that would accurately describe the playing surface. "Tricky" really does not have the depth of feeling or sentiment to cover it. Still, you had to be there to experience, and survive it, to know what we mean by the word "tricky".  However Crosskeys took it all in their stride and by the time it was our tea break, after 10 ends, Keys were two rinks up and two down.  However, the tea break, sandwiches and walnut cake seemed to make all the difference. It was certainly most welcome to come in from the cold and wet for a few minutes just to warm up.

Play resumed, all too quickly after tea, with Keys making a determined fight back on all rinks.  I think the highlights for the day were the two wrong biases from Johnny Powell and myself.  I have no excuse other than to say I was concentrating too hard to worry about which way the the wood was sitting in my hand. All I wanted it to do was get up the green into the head. On which rink the head was, was another matter.  Needless to say "WE" all had fun with the green, so no real advantage there.

At the end of the day Keys dominated most of the play in the second half, pulling back in front on two of the rinks they were down on; strolling away with the one rink that was well up, and a very courageous fight back on the one rink that was down very heavily before tea, only to loose by a few shots.  Well done Keys, and well done to the Dockers who pushed us so hard today.  Final scores Keys 101 shots to Dockers 66 shots.  Crosskeys Skips were: Paul Watkins 19 shots, W Tait -  Dockers 17 shots.  Keys - Andrew Bushell 29 shots, J Desmond - Dockers 7 shots. Keys - Tom Hancock 33 shots, Peter Collins - Dockers 20 shots. Keys - Simon Bushell 20 shots, A Lewies - Dockers 22 shots. Keys with 3 rinks up and one down.  We wish the Dockers well with the remainder of their season. Now onto the next game.

See you all soon peoples.  Web Master



CROSSKEYS SOUTH MON GAME AWAY AT PONTYMISTER WELFARE 05 MAY 2010

Webmaster Reporting.  A very warm welcome awaited the Crosskeys Team at the Welfare Ground this evening, including a council notice "No Running on the Green". As if anyone would dream of it!!!

On a "very spirted bit of turf" as one Crosskeys character called it, Keys managed a good start to their exploits in the South Mon League this year, with a comfortable 4 Rink win at Pontymister Welfare Ground.  Needless to say they lost out on both prizes in the raffle. Such is the life and fortunes of all bowlers.  The traditional "Faggots and Peas" supper was graciously recieved and most welcome by all the bowlers. Just what was needed on a slightly chilly night. However, Captain Jim Bendall thought that the Icing on the cake had to go to the "Ice Slice" that followed.  No arguments from the Crosskeys Boys, who revelled in such after care from the Ladies and Bar staff of Pontymister Welfare. Well done all concerned.

See you all soon peoples.  Webmaster


CROSSKEYS WBA GAME HOME TO RHYMNEY ROYAL 1ST MAY 2010

See you all next week perhaps, depends if I am picked after these comments.