Bay teams claim bowls league titles
THE Haigs Mowers Zululand League came to its conclusion last weekend when the last two rounds were played at the Empangeni Country Club.
In the first round of the men’s section, log leaders Bowling Club B lost ground when they went down 14-18 to Richards Bay C, enabling Richards Bay B to take over the lead by a single point when they beat Country Club A 21-11, and that after being 5-10 in arrears.
This meant that the men’s champion would be decided by the result of the game between Bowling Club B and Richards Bay B.
Despite the fact that Bowling Club won seven of the 15 ends played, they were unable at any stage to put pressure on the Bay side, who dominated the scoring when it counted and deservedly claimed the bragging rights for 2018 by 18 shots to 7.
Country Club A hung onto third place by beating Richards Bay C by a single shot, 11-10.
In the women’s section, log leaders Richards Bay B lost 15-16 to second placed Mtunzini and Richards Bay A beat Country Club 16-9.
This resulted in an intriguing last round, with the two Bay sides and Mtunzini all in with a chance of glory on eight points apiece.
Mtunzini’s challenge failed when they went down 10-17 to Bowling Club B, and Country Club, in something of a surprise, eliminated Richards Bay B, who had started the day in pole position on 12-8.
Richards Bay A, who had started the day as something of an outsider, beat Bowling Club C 18-10 to snatch the title from their B side.
Bowling Club A beat eShowe 21-12 to claim the minor placing.
At prize giving, Roly Shaw of Haigs Mowers, announced that they would be sponsoring the league next year for the 19th time, which must surely be something of a record.