BOWLSBANTER
KENTON BOWLING CLUB
It ‘s been the week of checking and rechecking preparations for our Kenton Mixed Classic taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday. All we need now is good weather for the two days so our visitors can enjoy their bowls. It would be great to see a lot of club members come to watch the bowls; of course there won't be any tabs in bowls on Wednesday.
The easterly winds continued to blow, but we still had a wonderful turnout on Wednesday for the final Dias Insurance Jackpot event of the year. Some needle matches took place as there were four bowlers vying for overall top position. Winners were the team of Anthony Copeman, Rose Chowles and Ian Smith. It was a pleasure hosting Tony Usher and other staff from Dias for the prize giving. The overall winner of the year was Jerry Catto, followed by Tony Phillips, Peter Levey and Rodney Austin.
The PT Meat Draw on Friday was won by Lee Slater. The final PT Trips of the year take place this Friday, so get your names on the list and let’s finish with a blast.
KOWIE BOWLING CLUB
What an honour to have another great week of bowling at the Kowie club to report on. Tuesday had stunning weather, so the club embraced it with both bowling arms. There was a good turnout for tabs in. Some close scores were handed in to establish who would walk away with meal vouchers from Ocean Basket. The honour was bestowed on Stan ("Silver Fox") Long, and his team of Peter Distin, visiting from Plettenberg Bay with his wife, Debbie, and Lester Scriven.
Wednesday morning’s novice session was cancelled due to overnight rains.
The weather cleared up and the afternoon saw four men’s teams competing at the Port Alfred Bowling Club for the Timm Cup and two lady teams for the Vroom Cup.
Playing in windy conditions, and on some fairly “tricky” greens, the competition kicked off at 2pm. Most games were closely contested, and after the final round between the clubs, the results were:
In the men’s Timm Cup, Kowie won three out of four games, and ended on six points with a shot difference of +23. Port Alfred ended on two points with a shot difference of -23. This means that, after six rounds, Kowie won the Timm Cup on 33 points with a shot difference of +188. Port Alfred ended on seven points with a shot difference of -188. Congratulations to all!
In the Vroom Cup, the Port Alfred ladies narrowly won one game and drew the other, ending on three points with a shot difference of +2. Kowie ended on a point with a shot difference of -2. This means Port Alfred won the Vroom Cup convincingly on 13 points with a shot difference of +33. Kowie ended on seven points with a shot difference of -33. Well done, Port Alfred ladies!
After the prize giving, competition organiser John Hodgers congratulated the ladies team on winning the Cup. He also thanked the kitchen team, greenkeeper and bar team. Last, he congratulated the men from Kowie on their victory of the Timm Cup, and thanked all the visitors for their support.
On Thursday afternoon, the generously sponsored tabs in competition was won by John Hubbard (again), with his team of Lawrie May and Gerald Mills. Each was presented with a sponsored by “Kêkkel and Kraai meal”voucher .
On Friday afternoon, Kowie held the Personal Trust Trips competition which was well supported. It was good to see three respected bowlers, Neil Burkett, Carl Vermeulen and Andrew Stirling, who represented the sponsors, joining in the fun. After the first game of 15 ends was completed, a noisy thunderstorm, lightning and intermittent rain put stop to the second round after eight ends.
The overall winner of the shortened version of the competetion was "Silver Fox" Long and his team of John Knepscheld and our club’s second oldest member, uncle Don Kelly. Well done, chaps!
After prize giving, Judy Alexander thanked Carl and his team for their sponsorship, and thanked the representatives from Personal Trust for participating in the competition. She also thanked the kitchen team and bar for their tireless input . Thanks was also given to greenkeeper Michael van der Sandt.
A little later, fires were lit in the entertainment area and the monthly steak night got under way.
With great music in the background to keep toes tapping, and salads, roasted potatoes and mushroom sauce to fill everyone’s steak plate, a great evening was had by all.
Saturday’s tabs in competition was rained out, which allowed us time with families and friends before the (disappointing) rugby Test against France.
The weather didn’t stop four of the club’s top players, Stephen Minnaar, Jacques Krige, Jason Prince and Denny Richardson, travelling to East London on Saturday to play in “The Comrades Classic” competition.
There were 24 men’s teams, which included five Protea bowlers who took part. Our Kowie team narrowly lost three of their five games, with two games going down by a single shot. They eventually placed 13th out of the 24 teams.
Last, I heard a very true comment from one of our older members during this week ’ s banter, which I think is apt. He said: “Most of us are going through trying times. Don’t sweat the small stuff!”I agree, so until next week!
PORT ALFRED BOWLING CLUB
The annual Port Alfred Triangular has come and gone, and what a wonderful success it was despite rain hampering* play on Saturday afternoon.
In the end it was Old Selbornians of East London who walked away with the main honours. As is custom over many years, their teams drank from the pee pot.
They won with 26 points, Westview from Nelson Mandela Bay a close second on 24 and Port Alfred on 14 points.
A big thank you to Grumpy and all those who worked hard in the kitchen, served food, plus those behind the bar, those who helped Neil prepare the greens and so on. A big thanks to Ben and Boela for braving the heavy drizzle to organised the braai fires.
Saturday evening, musician Peter Drennan arrived early and many let their hair down by dancing the night away.
Before Sunday’s lunch, Westview players participated in a funny song sung in Afrikaans, prompting much laughter.
The final round of the Timm (men) and Vroom Cup (ladies) against Kowie was played at the Port Alfred Club last Wednesday with Port Alfred winning the ladies’ section by 13 points to seven.
Lynda Schornig, (skip), Collette Reid and Julie Sluziuk peeled their game while Elzabe Rodriguez (skip), Joan Jacobs and Mary McLean won on the last end, with Elzabe drawing the winning shot with her last bowl.
Kowie had already won the Timm Cup and again proved too strong for the four Port Alfred sides. Only Ron Orford’s team came away with a win.
The handicap singles for both men and lady bowlers reached its conclusion last Thursday afternoon with Louise Vincent crowned female champion and Brian McLean male champ.
To reach the final Louise beat Elzabe Rodriguez in the semifinal while Anna Strombeck beat Carol Oosthuizen.
Brian, playing off a handicap of eight, beat Nick Oosthuizen and Neil McCullum ahead of his final, then came face to face with Scotsman Jim Haslwell, whom he beat.