Ferndale Bowls Club secures promotion

Ferndale Bowls Club finished top of the Johannesburg Bowls Association (JBA) Saturday League Men’s Trips Division Three log table after defeating Bedfordview Bowls in a tough encounter.

The crucial win ensured Ferndale’s objective of promotion and stepping up to the second division. With promotion in the back of their minds, Ferndale started the game tentatively, losing two sets of each game. The pressure was building up as they needed eight and a half points to get the promotion, and needed to win all the remaining sets to achieve their goal.

Warren Steyn of Ferndale admitted that it was the toughest game they had played in the season.

“Hats off to the selectors for making the changes they did. Bedfordview came out here and gave us a lot to consider. These guys were punishing us and we had to dig deep to come back and win and get the promotion.”

He added that having sealed the promotion meant a lot to them as they did so with a lot of new players, so to make it work showed a lot of character.

“This is what we were fighting for the whole season and we are very proud to match the ladies who also won their division. We look forward to the second division. We want to try and maintain the same momentum that we have shown and progress to another level.”

Steyn praised the Bedfordview team as it was made up of young talented bowlers.

“I feel honoured to play against youngsters. It’s what we want to see and it’s the sport going in the right direction.”

He added Ferndale was also involved in youth development and schools programmes.

“We are trying to get young people and schools in the area to spend at least one day in the week at the club and teach them the sport. It’s the district programme and any club in JBA that wishes to be part of it has the opportunity to do so.”

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