Midlands Singles games go down to the wire
We really should have charged the spectators an entrance fee, because they were in for an unbelievable few hours of brilliant bowls
Whew, where to start?
The Business League began on Wednesday last week. Elias De Franca from Tops opened the proceedings with a welcome speech and then rolled the first bowl for the games to begin. What a great evening, with 32 teams filling the greens.
The weather was perfect; it just got dark a little early. The last few ends, most of the bowlers just played by feel, as the jack was nowhere to be seen!
The fellowship after the games was great as usual and some of the bowlers went home with the lucky dip vouchers, while another team member went home with the leg of lamb. May the next six weeks be just as enjoyable.
On Saturday, the Midlands Singles games got underway, with perfect weather, good food and some great bowls being played – another successful day! Sunday morning saw the semi-finals begin and these games were the “taster” for what was to come.
We had two young teenagers against two very experienced bowlers. Young Khanyisile from Estcourt came up against Braam van Zyl from Harrismith. This game was neck and neck for almost two hours, when Braam just managed to pip Khanyisile, the eventual score being 21-19.
At the same time, we had another youngster, Adriaan from Harrismith, playing Theunis from The Nest. This game was also another marathon battle of the scores being so close. Adriaan kept his nerve and managed to out-bowl Theunis, winning the match 21-20 and going through to the final.
The three section finals – Senior, Open Ladies’ and Open Men’s – began and we really should have charged the spectators an entrance fee, because they were in for an unbelievable few hours of brilliant bowls.
The Senior Ladies were Magriet Coetzee against Veronica Malan, and even with Magriet not having her own bowls (which she managed to leave behind in Richards Bay) and playing with a borrowed set, she gave Veronica a run for her money, with Veronica managing to beat Magriet on the 23rd end, the final score being 21-18. Great game and congratulations to Veronica!
The Open Ladies’ was a bit of a family affair, seeing that it was Barbara Baleri against her daughter Fran Baleri.
In the beginning, it looked like it was going to be a walk in the park for Barbara, as, at one stage, the score was 13-2. Then Fran found her rhythm and the game changed. Slowly she picked up points and soon they were peels. Eventually, after 28 ends, Fran picked up the winning points, the final score being Fran 21 and Barbara 20. What an exciting game – congratulations to Fran!
Now, at the same time, we have the Men’s Open final between Braam and Adriaan also being played. Again, another marathon game with the scores being each man winning one end and no one taking the overall lead. This game also went to 27 ends, with the young Adriaan also playing with the tenacity of an experienced bowler, but Braam was not giving up and eventually he came out the victor, with the final score being 21-19.
In my opinion, every single bowler in the semi-finals and finals are winners. The standard of bowls was superb and the spectators enjoyed every single minute of these nail-biting games. Congratulations to every one of you!
Now for my apologies – to all the October babies. My age is really starting to show; you know how the elderly forget things. Well, they also lose things and I lost October – don’t know how it happened or where it went, but I decided to miss October and just send birthday wishes to all the November boys. Luckily for me, some of the members read this section and very quietly and sternly corrected me. So, to all the October guys and gals – Joe Coetzee, John Elworthy, Nora Simpson and Rod van Deventer – may your birthdays be great and the year ahead be to your liking.
The Senior Men’s final was between Kees Hillenaar and Bennie Malan, and Kees had a comfortable win over Bennie.
“See You On The Greens!”
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