Goodwood’s resurgence good news for bowls

GOODWOOD BOWLING CLUB’S men are the surprise leaders of the Premier League Flag competition, while defending champions Durbanville and Pinelands are in hot pursuit ahead of today’s third round.

The trio have yet to be beaten.

Goodwood were once a force but, since the turn of the decade, have found the going tough, even tasting relegation once..

Back-to-back shock victories over more-fancied opponents Constantia and Edgemead for 21.5 points from a possible 30 sets the 12-man team up nicely for a shot at some silverware.

Durbanville await them and let’s see if they can roll over the pre-season favourites on their home green.

Durbanville have seen off Glen Country Club and Oakdale by 10-5 margins over consecutive weekends and will fancy their chances of an even bigger haul.

League newcomers Pinelands are the other unbeaten side with wins over Somerset West (8-7) and Glen Country Club (12-3).

They entertain Oakdale and will be tagged as start as favourites, although the visitors, who saw off Edgemead in their opener, should never be underestimated as borne out by some of their results from last season; beat Western Province CC and Durbanville on their way to a topfive finish.

The men from the northern suburbs lack big-name players but boy do they enjoy lowering the colours of folk deemed to be far more superior than them on the greens.

Former champions WPCC began their campaign with an easy 11-4 victory over Stellenbosch Van Der/Stel, in the process claiming second place on the 10-team table.

But they backed it up with a 11.4-4.5 losing effort at home to Constantia.

But the record can be set straight by handing Edgemead a third defeat in a row.