Intense competition on Durban greens in thrilling start with Novice Champs, Pro 10
THIS weekend promises a whirlwind of thrilling lawn bowls action as enthusiasts gather to watch the PNB Old Mutual Novice Championships and the fast-paced Pro10 PNB Championship.
Saturday’s focus is on the PNB Old Mutual Novice Championships, where bowlers who triumphed in last weekend’s battles will face off in their next rounds.
The greens at Durban BC and Durban Collegians will witness intense competition, as these aspiring bowlers strive to progress in the championships. Last weekend’s hard-fought games have set the stage for exhilarating showdowns.
Come Sunday, the spotlight shifts to the PNB Pro10 Championship, a dynamic two-bowl pairs game that has garnered attention for its fast and furious pace.
The tournament features 27 sections, each comprised of six teams of any combination.
The scoring system, with 10 points per end, emphasises precision and strategy.
In the Pro10 format, with the closest four bowls counting, teams will strive to secure maximum points. The scoring breakdown, where the nearest bowl to the jack earns four points, the second shot three points, the third shot two points and the fourth shot one point, adds a layer of complexity to the game. The objective is clear – draw close to the jack with every bowl, ensuring a substantial point tally even if the team doesn’t hold the shot.
The team with the bowl nearest the jack at the end takes the mat in the next end, emphasising the importance of maintaining control. In no-shot situations, the shot bowl from the previous end determines the mat.
A dead end or a declared dead jack prompts a replay. At the conclusion of each game, teams earn two points for a win and one point for a peel. Sectional winners are the teams with the highest points accumulation. In the event of a sectional tie, the team with the most points will claim victory.
If the deadlock persists, the team winning the sectional head-to- head game will be declared the victor.
Sectional winners will progress to the knockout rounds, culminating in the final at the sponsoring club, Amanzimtoti BC, on Sunday, January 21.
The current Pro10 champions are Protea bowler Wayne Rittmuller and Keegan Bauristhene.
Rittmuller’s involvement in a BSA Gold Squad practice on the weekend of the final led to him choosing not to enter this year, but he offered advice for competitors which echoes the essence of the Pro10 format – maintain consistent line and weight control.
With only four bowls between the pair, the emphasis on consistently drawing close becomes paramount. The ability to draw oneself out of trouble proves beneficial across all aspects of the game, and the Pro10 format highlights and magnifies this essential skill.
As the anticipation builds and bowlers fine-tune their strategies, this weekend’s championships promise to be a showcase of skill and precision.
Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or a spectator eager for thrilling matches, the PNB Old Mutual Novice Championships and the PNB Pro10 Championship are set to deliver a weekend of gripping lawn bowls action.