Having just won the League title of the Cardiganshire Short Mat Bowling Association, the Rhydlewis team went to Llandrindod Wells last weekend and came away victorious winners of the National League Winners Competition.

In the event, the League winners from each of the counties had to play a Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours games against other counties. All of the Counties were split into two groups which meant that Rhydlewis’s team had to play against three other county’s winning teams. Several of those playing featured players who represented Wales in the World Bowls Championships, held in Cardiff two weeks earlier.

Of the twelve games played, in the initial group stage, Rhydlewis won 9, drew 1, and lost 2.

Singles player, Ceri Jones, won all three of his games, as did the pairing of Wyn Davies and Medwyn Jones. The Triples team of Alan Davies, Rajoo Nagiah and Osian Elias won one of their games, but drew another and lost the third – but still came top of their group. The Fours team of Meirion Davies, Michael Mumford, Alun Thomas and Robert Evans won two of their three games.

All four teams went on to play the winners of the other group and emerged the victorious winners in each of the four finals.

Ceri had to play Luke Haddon of Skewen – the current World Singles runner-up! Our local-hero did not let this affect him and went on to lead 7-0 after a few ends. Luke answered back by picking up a 4 in one end, but Ceri managed to go on and win the game before the last end was even played.

Paul and Andrew Hudson, of Pembrokeshire – and current 3rd World Pairs Champions – were lined up to face Wyn and Medwyn. Having got off to a bad start and being down 7-1, the Rhydlewis pair dug really deep and pulled the game back even, before playing some great bowls in the final ends to go on and win and give the team their second outright win.

With Rhydlewis ahead in the competition, all the pressure now laid on the triples and fours final games. They had to win both games to ensure enough points to win the competition, but not only that, Montgomery were hot on their heels and if they were to win one of their last games they would tie with Rhydlewis on points. With some great bowls played by both the triples and fours of Rhydlewis they both went on to win. However, Montgomery also won one of their last games and left both teams level on points! Due to the fact that Rhydlewis had won the Singles and Pairs outright - Montgomery only having won the Fours - it meant Rhydlewis were crowned Welsh League Champions!

It was a very special day for Rhydlewis and a great way to celebrate their 10th year anniversary as a club.

This victory brought to an end of what is probably the best season of any team or club in the county for many years. Earlier, last month, four of the Rhydlewis team, Ceri Jones, Medwyn Jones, Wyn Davies and Osian Elias, won the National County Fours Competition – also in Llandrindod.