Cardigan showed what champions are made of in a crunch Ceredigion Bowling Association top-of-the-table clash with Lampeter that saw Paul Monders and team-mates win by 18 shots and pick up 12 points to draw 16 points clear of their rivals.

The mid county side have a game in hand on the Cardis, but even if they bank maximum points from the visit to Aberaeron it would leave them two points adrift with two games to play.

This Wednesday Cardigan, chasing a title hat-trick, visit Tregaron while Lampeter host Aberystwyth and on the final day on August 23 Cardigan are at home against Queen’s Road and Lampeter take on Tregaron at The Rookery.

Cardigan 83 (12 points) Lampeter 65 (2 points)

Rink scores (Cardigan names first): Andrew Clarke 9 Lewis Williams 23; Michael Newcombe 27 Nick Randell 16; Kevin James 20 Steve Entwistle 14; Paul Monders 27 Henry Jones 12

The top home rink was skipped by club captain Paul Monders who was accompanied by Freddie Lloyd, Syd Fremantle and Brian Davies.

Lewis Williams skipped the most successful Lampeter rink with John Atkinson, John White and Elfan James.

RESULTS

Cardigan 83 (12) Lampeter 65 (2); Tregaron 83 (12) Aberaeron 70 (2); Queen’s Road 77 (4) Aberystwyth 84 (10)

Standings: Cardigan 84; Tregaron 71; Lampeter 68; Queen’s Road 44; Aberystwyth 42; Aberaeron 13

Division Two: Aeron 75 (10) Newcastle Emlyn 67 (4); Llanbedr 86 (10) Aberteifi 68 (4); Llandysul 57 (3) New Quay 72 (11)

Standings: New Quay 82; Newcastle Emlyn 64; Aberteifi 61; Llandysul 51; Llanbedr 40; Aeron 24

Senior County League

Aeron 59 (9) New Quay 34 (2); Llandysul 46 (10) Aberystwyth 43 (2); Lampeter 46 (9) Queen’s Road 43 (3)

Standings: Lampeter 28; Aeron 23; Queen’s Road 19; Aberystwyth, Llandysul 14; New Quay 10

Despite strong support Cardigan failed to make the long journey to Aberdare pay off as they were soundly beaten by Harlequins in the quarter-final of the Welsh Bowling Association Carruthers Shield.

After reaching the last eight for the first time there were high hopes of Paul Monders and team-mates continuing their run. But in the event Harlequins proved far too strong and emerged 107-67 winners to book a semi-final slot.

Rink scores (Harlequins names first): J. Breen 31 Michael Newcombe 17; L. Morgan 14 Andrew Clarke 11; G. Hughes 22 Marc James 18; R. Owen 35 Kevin James 11