THE annual Port Natal Novice Singles Championships drew to a close on Saturday, February 4, at Durban Bowling Club with Berea bowlers winning both the men’s and ladies’ divisions. Kim Christensen of Stella Park Bowling Club and Roy McCauley of Berea Bowling Club walked off the greens with first-place trophies.
Berea Mail caught up with the winners at Berea Bowling Club this week. Christensen said she scored 21–6 in the semifinals where she went up against Hillcrest Bowling Club. Continuing her winning streak, Christensen won the finals 21–16 when she took on Parkhill Bowling Club.
“I was so happy to make it to the finals and win. I still can’t believe it,” she said.
McCauley was relieved to win the men’s championship despite a few challenges on the greens.
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“My quarterfinal was tough. I won 20–19, and I only just scraped through. The umpire had to get out his callipers to measure the bowls, and I was in by a fraction,” he said.
He went on to win the semifinals 21–8 and 21–15 in the finals.
“Thank you to everybody who supported me. There was a fantastic atmosphere. The crowd was roaring,” he said.
“I dedicate my win to my late mother, Jean McCauley, the late Rab McClennan and the late Richard Simpson, as well as my wife, Janine,” he added.
A successful competition
The competition got rolling on January 7 at Durban Bowling Club, with 144 participants vying for the champion title. The competition followed a knock-out format with the winner of the first round going through to the second and third rounds in the lead-up to the finals.
Commenting on the tournament’s success, Steve du Toit of Durban Bowling Club said, “It was an absolute rousing success. It was great having our sponsor, Old Mutual, on board. People are still talking about the finals. Last year, we had about 30 people at the finals, and this year, we had 120 people on the final day.”
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Hooked on bowls
As a novice competition, the championships were open to bowlers with less than three years of experience on the greens. Christensen took up bowls just over two years ago.
“My dad got me into bowls. He has bowled for almost 50 years – since I was a child,” she said.
McCauley, who took up bowls a year ago, followed in his mother’s footsteps.
“My mom, Jean McCauley, was a champion here at Berea Bowling Club about 30 years back. She is mentioned on the honours wall a few times,” he said.
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