B WLS BANTER
KENTON BOWLING CLUB
Unfortunately both our men's teams were eliminated last weekend from the EA Men’s Trips competition. Our ladies still have to play and we are hoping they progress further in the event. There was no mid-week competition this week, but we had a good turnout at Tabs in. Bowls was washed out on Thursday due to more rain than expected so apart from three internal club matches that had to be called off in the morning, no further play was possible.
Friday was time for the Personal Trust Trips that were postponed from the previous week and Carl was back with us to enjoy some fishing and the bowls. There were some bowlers who weren’t available but in the end 16 teams got together on a lovely afternoon. The overall winners on the day were Dave West, Pam Bowker and Ken Bern, who was playing his first game in quite a while. It was good seeing you back Ken and we hope to see more of you in the future. The prizes for the various ends had a mix of winners as usual, but Rob Bowker and his team of Neville Emslie and John Daly scored with a big carryover on the last end. On Friday morning the club hosted a small reunion of ex scholars from St Andrew’s and they enjoyed some friendly barefoot bowls on A green.
A bring and braai had been organised after the Trips and a large number of bowlers stayed for the braai and everyone enjoyed it very much. We had a full house of draws take place due to the numbers present. The whisky draw was won by Fred Crofts and the PT Lockdown Meat draw was won by Jenny Adair. It was now time for the big Joker draw and the lucky name drawn was again Fred Crofts. At the card cabinet he closed his eyes, turned around and put his finger on a card. The smile on his face got even bigger as he held up the Joker.
Congratulations Fred and I hope you played Lotto that day too as Lady Luck was certainly smiling on you.
KOWIE BOWLING CLUB
With the winter temperatures creeping up on us quicker than expected, jerseys, windbreaker and tracksuits were added to the bowling bag kit this week, because when the sun goes down these days, there’s a mean chill in the air which affects us thinner blooded bunch.
The turnout on Tuesday’s tabs in was encouraging, and “B” green had all rinks full of enthusiastic bowlers.
Bowling between the teams was competitive as always, but only one team can go home and say they won the mega bucks prize money on the day. This honour went to Rodney Gradwell’s team of Gary Everton and uncle Don Kelly.
Wednesday’s novice session was enjoyed by the usuals and without a doubt, it was lovely to see the bunch interacting with one another in a “secondary” competitive atmosphere. Fortunately for the surrounding dams and homeowners in our district, there was some nice rains on Thursday, which left our bowlers conjuring up a way to keep themselves busy for the afternoon and evening. Friday afternoon saw 14 members competing in an informal “bounce” game in super sunny weather, where some great bowling was the order of the day. What was also pleasing to see was how many members arrived and spent their afternoon honing their skills on the open adjoining rinks.
After having untimely Eskom power cuts and the rainy weather of late, Friday evening eventually saw the Pick n Pay Nite bowls teams playing the 4th round of the competition. Although it was bitterly cold and the heavy dew made conditions difficult, there was evidence of all the teams being “in it to win it”.
The overall positions after round 4 are:
Section
A
: 1] Happy Veg
2] Kennys Sports Bar
3] Crewless Boating Section
B :
1] Miracle Gardens
2] Kennys Quarts 3] Sothebys Thanks again to Mike Thomlinson and his organising team for running the competition and to Andrew Meyer and his bar crew for the refreshments during the evening. A huge thank you to Pick n Pay, who are our main sponsor and to Build It for sponsoring the spindle draw. The Lions club provided some super snacks during the evening, thank you.
Kowie hosted the EP Mixed Pairs Finals this weekend. Saturday matches were played in near perfect bowling conditions on the Gavin Deenik green. With the pristine greens running true, the bowling was of a very high standard.
The Eastern Areas teams of Clive Bartlett (Section2) and Steven Minnaar (Section 1) won both their opening games, but went down in the second round. After a super intense finish to the afternoon’s games, the leading team in Section 1 was Brian Aldag's team from Western Suburbs on 3 points with a shot difference of +7, and CliveBarlett from Albany, leading Section 2 on 2 points and a shot difference of 16.
While the visiting finalists were battling it out on “C” green, the rest of the clubs tabs in members occupied the “A” green. At the end of the day, the old stalwart John Hubbard, and his team of Margaret Stegmann and Gill Armstrong took their opponents to the cleaners and won the afternoons competition quite convincingly.
After the day’s proceedings, a fire was lit for the visiting guests and our members, who were all invited to a bring and braai in the clubs entertainment area. Sunday mornings blue skies, pristine greens, and eight very competitive teams saw the battle continue to see who would be crowned the Eastern Province
mixed pairs champions.
The morning session ended in a dramatic 4 shot swing, which was the decider for the finalists in Section 1. Andrew Sterley from the Woods pulled off a last shot “pearler” to clinch top position from Brian Aldag and Hester van Heerden from Western Suburbs. Section 2 was won comfortably by Paul Spriggs and Julie Bosch from Westview.
After a short lunch break, and threats of rain later in the afternoon, the finals between Andrew Sterley and Paul Spriggs took place, and was supported by a good turnout of local supporters. Although the last 10 ends were played in intermittent showers, this did not diminish the intensity of the game. The quality of bowls observed were of the highest level. After 21 grueling ends, and in adverse weather conditions, the young guns from the Woods pipped the experienced team from Westview 23 -19. Congratulations to Andrew Sterley and Des Rosenblatt for taking Gold in the Eastern Province Mixed Pairs, with Paul Spriggs and Julie Bosch taking Silver.
Big thanks to Dave Thomas from Kowie B.C. and his team of umpires for pulling off another hugely successful tournament. To Michael vd Sandt and his greenkeeping crew, well done on presenting top class greens for the competition. Thanks also to Jill Reed and her team of caterers in the kitchen. Lastly, to Andrew Meyer and his team for running a very efficient “refreshment station” at the bar throughout the tournament.
In closing, we wish to remind all our readers of the “big one” which is being hosted at out club between from 16 – 19 June. It’s none other the NATIONAL MIXED PAIRS!!
This is one competition you don’t want to miss. Diarise this date.
We’re going big here at the Kowie bowling club.
PORT ALFRED BOWLING AND CROQUET CLUB
There was much celebration at the club last Wednesday when the finals of the men’s and women’s senior singles took place. Both Mary McLean and Peter Schorning were able to sleep with champions after Brian and Lynda were crowned the winners. Both finals were great to watch and both could have gone either way. Lynda narrowly beat Julie with Brian edging Trevor 21-20 in the 27th end. The open singles are set for Wednesday 15 of June. In the drawn trips, Brian, Beryl and Fred are through to the final and will now play Trevor, Ben and Char who beat Elzabe, Joanne and Julie in the semi-final played on Saturday. The final is set for next Wednesday.
Yesterday, the Doris Ford and Les Clarke competition was played at the Port Alfred Bowling Club and the results will be published in the next column. Also coming up next weekend is the second round of the Eastern Areas Trips to be played at this club.
The first steps to bring the bowlers, croquet and tennis players closer were taken this past Saturday when Port Alfred members hopped over to the tennis club for a meal of currie and rice.
An event involving the three groups has been planned each month until the end of the year, with a quiz and bingo evening the next events. Thanks to Bettie and the tennis club ladies for all their hard work in the kitchen.
Also thanks to Radue Optometrists for sponsoring Saturday’s bowls with Trevor, Ben and Char the winners with Ron, Debbie and Ed the runners-up.
Fines on Saturday after bowls brought in R150 and many thanks to Jim the Scotsman for collecting the money while Gail had a chance of drawing the joker but luck was not on her side. Good bowling all.*