BOWLSBANTER
PORT ALFRED
A well supported Christmas supper was held at the club last Saturday evening.
The highlights of the year, from a bowls point of view, were the bricking up of both A and B greens thanks to Jaco van Rensburg and workers plus the successful staging of the Harry Owsley Mixed Classic earlier this month.
With this Friday being a holiday thanks to the Springboks winning the World Cup, tabs-in will be played from 10am.
Club bowlers are encouraged to support, wear their Bok jerseys, scarves or hats and bring a salad as there will be a bring and braai after play. Enjoy.
Lastly, this will be the club ’ s last column for the year so a merry Christmas to bowlers from all clubs and a healthy 2024.
KENTON
The carried-over Diaz Super Thursday was played but you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t know who won. Thanks to Simon Oliver of Diaz for sponsoring.
Friday was the day of the annual prize-giving and what a Friday it proved to be with the needle match of the year — Kenton v Villages annual challenge. Nine’teams from Rivers Bend, Bushman s, Kasouga, Bokness and Canon Rocks ganging up on poor little Kenton: 29 players against 29 contesting in trips and fours, the bragging rights to last a year.
Now, once again I was unfortunately not there, so here I am quoting my sources (whose identities shall remain secret).
There were some murmurings of loaded teams and ringers having been brought in. Since when, for instance, is Port Alfred a ‘village” surrounding Kenton?
The villagers were triumphant and amid this festive atmosphere the prizes, unfortunately too many to name individually in this newsletter, were duly handed out.
Three awards that were only revealed on the night were for the most improved bowler which went to Liz Janse van Rensburg and Allan Marais, respectively.
The wooden spoon for the best “stirrer” was wrested away from Johan Grobler and won by Kevin Bates. The badges certifying the qualifications of a new band of coaches were also bestowed.
KOWIE
A reasonable question to a reader of this column who is not an avid*
bowler would be, “don ’ t they ever get sick and tired of playing bowls three times a week?” The immediate answer from a regular Kowie bowler is “NO, we love the game!” When this game gets into your bloodstream, there's no turning back. Win or lose on the day, you KNOW you can do better next time.
Well, Tuesday afternoon was one of those days. The players who came back and showed they could “do better,” were the seven teams who represented Kowie v the Rest of the World.
After some competitive bowling during the afternoon, Mike Tomlinson, the captain of the Kowie teams, received the coveted Lighthouse trophy from Ivor Rule who represented the sponsors.
Congratulations to the Kowie
teams for the win, and for ensuring the cup stays “at home ” .
Wednesday morning’s novice/ golden oldies/practicing session was again enjoyed by all who participated. It is heartwarming to see the enthusiasm displayed by the members at these gatherings of fun-loving bowlers.
Come down to the Kowie Bowling Club just before 10, and have some fun.
Thursday was another lovely day for bowling, where a bunch of members played in a tabs competition where the winners were generously sponsored by NICHE. The winners of the meal vouchers were Peter May and his able team of Jo-Ann Brown and Sheena Warren.
Friday evening was the big event for the week, where the sixth and final round of the everpopular flood-lit Pick n Pay/Kowie night bowls took place.
What a final round of competition it was.
The top eight teams ended up playing in the strength versus strength format on accumulated points during the five previous rounds.
The remaining 14 teams played out for the plate, and all the teams started on zero points.
Again, some excellent bowls was played, with some close games being registered on the scorecards.
The deserved overall winners of the competition were the team from Forest Hill Construction, who led the competition from start to finish.
They won with 21 points (out of a possible 24 points), with a shot difference of +30. On their heels was team Plumrite on 17,5 +35. In third spot was the Siyakhula Trading team on 16,5 +40 . The Stenden team took the plate prize. Congratulations to all the winning teams.
The event organiser, Cyprian Guard thanked the main sponsors Pick n Pay, Build-it, the green keeper and his team, the team behind the bar, the team in the kitchen, the Lions Club, and the players that supported the club during the competition.
Saturday morning saw the start of our annual Leach Pharmacysponsored hamper day which was played in overcast weather with intermittent drizzle. Three games of 15 ends were played in four different sections, aptly named Aspirin, Disprin, Panado, and Paracetamol.
The overall winners were: The Disprin section which was skipped by Pieter Stegmann and his team of Denny Richardson, Allan Sheridan and Vonnie Hill (Kowie).
Paracetamol winners were the team skipped by Clive Bartlett and his team of Marlene Jacobs, Annemarie Calitz and Billy Krige. (Albany).
The winners of the Asprin section was the team skipped by Elsabe Rodriguez and her team of Julie Sliziuk, Jim Haswell, and JoAnn Brown (Port Alfred).
Winners of the Panado section was the team skipped by Jacques Krige and his team of Colleen Davy, Phil Gillfillin and Ann Gillfillin (Kowie).
Our huge thanks and appreciation goes out to Nicky van Lavieren and Adele Wood who represented Leach Pharmacy.
After prizegiving, club captain Peter May thanked Leach Pharmacy for their sponsorship, the kitchen and bar teams, the greens staff, Andrea Moolman for keeping the leaderboard updated, and all the teams.
Jacques Krige reciprocated by congratulating May on running a well-organised competition.