Helderberg set the pace in bowls

HELDERBERG and Durbanville are the early front-runners in the men’s Premier League Flag bowls competition ahead of their thirdround clash today.

Both clubs picked up impressive 13-point hauls from a possible 15 in round one, with Helderberg downing visitors Goodwood and former champions Durbanville defeating hosts Constantia.

Helderberg then played competition favourites Edgemead on their home green and pulled off a shock 11-4 victory, earning the out-of-towners pole position on the 10-team standings.

Durbanville welcomed Plumstead and would have fancied making it a clean sweep, but it wasn’t to be – they won 9-6, leaving them in second place.

The smart money will be on Durbanville to beat the log-leaders today.

Defending champions Glen Country Club (sixth) will be feeling a lot better about things after edging Western Province CC (eighth) 8-7 for their first positive outcome last week. Whether they can tame seventh-placed Constantia, who will be at home, remains to be seen.

Then again, they have a host of classy players who can beat the best.

Constantia easily defeated Oakdale to get their campaign back on track following the opening-round loss at home to Durbanville. The men from the southern suburbs more often than not flatter to deceive when you consider the personnel at their disposal, so it will be a chance for them to bury the tag of under-achievers.

Third-placed Van der Stel are the only other unbeaten side. They have beaten Glen and Goodwood comfortably enough and now lurk as potential league winners.

Last season they stood on the cusp of glory only to lose on the final day of the tournament and end up runners-up. They travel to Edgemead next.