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In another all-Caerphilly clash last weekend, Pontymister Athletic Bowls Club came up against table-topping Crosskeys in a Monmouthshire Bowling Association league game.

The Mister Men recently overcame another local rival in Abercarn in a hard fought 58-52 win on the road in the South Monmouthshire League.

It was a much tougher task up against the reigning champions on Saturday June 1 however, with hosts Pontymister ultimately losing 56-92.

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On rink two, there was a very good game between Ken McKinnon, Chris Beale, Richie Murphy, and
Dave Hill, who played Paul Watkins, Kieron Davies, Ian Williams and Ian Slade.

The Keys led 2-5 on five ends, and 5-7 on ten ends. The margin remained only two shots at 9-11 on 15 ends before finishing 13-16 to the visitors on 21 ends.

On rink three, the most exciting game of the day saw Pontymister’s Mike Lyons, Ethan Simmonds, Roger Simms and Roger Venn take on Andrew Williams, Darren Hobbs, Tom Hancock and Danny Davies Jnr.

The Mister Men roared into an 8-1 lead on five ends, but the Keys came back strongly to trail just 11-8 on ten ends.

Pontymister won four of the next five ends, including a count of four on the 11th end to lead 19-9 on 15 ends, but could only win one more of the last six ends.

Trailing 20-17 going into the last end, Welsh international skipper Danny Davies Jnr played a fantastic last bowl to make a five and grab the points for the keys.

On rink four, Pontymister’s Dave Bowd, Jason Bradshaw, Graham Smith, and Nick Harris had a bad
day at the office against Paul Duggan, Simon Bushell, Dan Davies and current Welsh International
Christoph Klefenz.

Pontymister were completely outplayed by the Keys who found the line and weight on the tight hand superbly. Skipper Nick Harris battled hard to reduce the deficit, but the Keys were just too strong on the day.

The score was 2-8 on five ends, 5-12 on ten ends, 7-21 on 15 ends, before Pontymister managed to reach double figures for a 10-30 thrashing.

On rink five, Pontymister’s Chris Simmonds, Sid Phillips, Lloyd Turnbull, and Ronnie ‘rocket man’ Morgan were involved in a good battle with Russel Bryant, Tony Brown, Tom Martin, and talented skip Joe Mower.

On five ends it was 2-4 to the Keys, who increased their lead to 4-10 on ten ends. Pontymister came back strongly, winning four out of the next five ends to level the game 11-11 on 15 ends, only for the Keys to seize control over the important last six ends – winning five of them to finish 13-24 winners.

After that win, Crosskeys sit comfortably at the top of the division on 28 points, whilst Pontymister are third with 14 points.