So near, yet so far for Border’s young guns

THE Border U20 development bowls side came within a whisker of reaching the playoffs of the 2017 National Championships staged in Bloemfontein last week.

For the first time U15 and U30 sections were included in the nationals with Border also represented at U15 level.

The U20 section was played over 15 ends with three games per day while the U15 section was played over 10 ends and four games per day.

The Border U15 team were based at the Oud Studente Bowling Club with the U20s playing at the Orangia BC.

Going into their final game on Wednesday afternoon against Natal Inland, a win would have ensured Border U20 a second place finish but it was not to be.

Border U20 were represented by Tyler Pitcher, Josh Turner, Camden Taylor, Craig Pornss and Sivusile Mcilongo.

After Border skip Pitcher and third Turner had burnt several ends after trailing for much of the clash, Border fought their way back into the game and going into the final end were 10-11 behind.

Border then lay two shots to lead 12-11 but with his last bowl the Natal Inland skip managed to remove a Border bowl which peeled the game denying Border a needed win.

Earlier on the opening day Border U20 had come away unbeaten having accounted for Southern Free State (2210), Eden (14-10) and Northern Free State (20-14).

However, they then came a cropper on the Wednesday losing heavily to a strong Johannesburg C side 18-4 and Ekurhuleni A 19-4 before peeling with Natal Inland.

Border won their final game against Northern Cape 18-8 but it was the drawn game against Natal Inland which undid them.

It proved a huge learning curve for the Border U15 side of Andrew Lentz, Greg Pornss, Olo Tyilo, Sibusiso Booi and Thabo Bandla who managed two wins and a peel.

“The side would have come away having learnt a lot which is good,’’ said Border U15 manager Warwick Osmond.

His remark was echoed by Tyilo, a Cambridge High School pupil who said: “I have learnt so much and want to play this game forever.’’

The Border U15 team were voted the best dressed team at the tournament while was also noted it was the first time a player in a wheelchair, Dalian Bandla, had graced the event.

Trevor Davis, an executive committee of Bowls SA, said the tournament had grown by 40% as had the demographics and that Bowls SA were over the moon at the number of young players – of all races – who have taken to the game.

“It’s a positive sign that bowls can no longer be viewed as a game just for old people,’’ he said.