Singles are settled

AFTER a two week delay caused by inclement weather, the finals of both the men’s and women’s Zululand open singles were completed at the Mtunzini Bowling Club at the weekend.

In the men’s group preliminary rounds, George Stewart (Richards Bay) beat Billy Kruse (eShowe) 21-13, and Barry Mutlow (Richards Bay) beat Dareth McIntyre (Mtunzini) 21-10.

In the quarter-finals, Stewart went down 16-21 to Dion Leaity (Richards Bay), Mutlow beat Vlekkie Visser (Richards Bay) 21-16, Mike Bowman (Mtunzini) beat Dirk Norval (Richards Bay) 21-20, and Bobby Smith (Empangeni Bowling Club) beat Mike Lovell (Country Club) 21-13.

In the semi-finals Mutlow posted a surprisingly easy 21-6 win over Leaity, and Bowman accounted for Smith 21-11.

In the final, after peeling eight apiece after ten ends, it was Bowman who slowly but surely stamped his authority on proceedings. Although defending champion Mutlow fought to the bitter end, it was Bowman who clinched the title by 21 shots to 18.

In the women’s section, the first quarter-final was won by Esell Schoeman (Richards Bay), who beat club-mate Michelle Morgan 21-7, while in the second quarter-final defending champion Helene de Wet (Bowling Club) was beaten 21-9 by Anita Scott (Richards Bay).

In the semi-finals, Schoeman beat Sharon Nicoll (Bowling Club) 21-10 and Gloria Garbutt (Bowling Club) beat Scott 21-12.

With both contestants playing excellent bowls, the women’s final can justifiably lay claim to the match of the tournament accolade.

Schoeman got off to a flier, and after eight ends was in front 10-3.

It was then Garbutt’s turn to apply pressure and four ends later, she took over the lead 12-10.

At this stage, the game swung once more the way of Schoeman and after 19 ends she lay within one shot of victory (20-15).

But Garbutt dug deep, and scoring 2-1-1-1, she tied up the game at peels 20.

Amid mounting excitement, it was left to Schoeman to play what was the shot of the day to score the single that gave her the game and the title by 21 shots to 20.

It was the sort of contest where it seemed a pity there had to be a loser.

This weekend, the eShowe Bowling Club will be hosting their annual sponsored tournament.