Tactical masterclasses seal the deal

THE game of singles in lawn bowls involves different tactics to those applied when playing in a team.

The bowler has to effectively play the roles of skip, lead, second and third and doesn’t have the advantage of a skip reading the head and telling them which shots to play. It requires tactical thinking along with skill to win.

Tactics in singles requires that the bowler is constantly aware of the state and pace of the green, wind direction, and makes a careful analysis of their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

They must then use this when placing the mat and the jack, and when positioning their bowls to minimise their opponent’s strengths.

In Sunday’s Port Natal Open singles finals, both 2022 champions demonstrated skill and tactical play to gain the advantage and claim the titles.

The women’s final saw Umhlanga Bowling Club’s Jeanne Alexander face the challenge of Stella Park’s Glenda Matthews in their quest for the trophy.

Matthews took an early lead and was five shots to nil up after two ends.

The following 13 ends belonged to Alexander as she packed shots into the head, and the scoreboard showed her having an eight shot advantage over Mathews in the 15th end.

Thereafter, Matthew’s applied the five ‘Cs’ that have become synonymous with her big match temperament.

Harnessing her coping strategies, confidence, control, concentration and commitment, she demonstrated why she is a South African Master and took control of the game with strategic mat placement and deadly accuracy to win the next four ends, and claim the 11 shots she needed to collect her fifth Port Natal open singles title.

In the men’s final Chad Wilson, representing Durban Wanderer’s, took to the mat against defending champion, Stella Park’s Wayne Roberts.

Roberts combined preparation with performance to maintain domination throughout the game, taking only 15 ends to reach the required 21 shots, reinforcing his position as a South African Master and the three-time winner of the district singles championship.

Both Matthews and Roberts are true ambassadors and advocates for the sport of lawn bowls, losing with grace and win with humility.

They continually promote the game as a fully-inclusive, accessible safe activity and sport for all.

Port Natal President Steve Kelf said: “The final results on the scorecards do not reflect the standard of play the losing finalists brought to the green.

“Both newcomers to the district open singles final arena acquitted themselves commendably against their more experienced opponents and gave spectators games worth watching.”

Bowlers are reminded that the closing date for entries into the KwaZulu-Natal pairs championship is Monday.

The tournament will be hosted by the Kingfisher Bowling Association and will be played from June 4-6.