ABC proud of PN trips players

By Cher E Bell

AS reported last week, two Amanzimtoti Bowling Club (ABC) women’s teams reached the semi-finals of the Port Natal trips competition.

Port Natal covers all bowling clubs from as far north as Umhlali and south to Winklespruit, and inland to Hillcrest.

Seventy one women’s teams took part, including nine Toti teams. These included some of the top players in the district, and three ABC teams made it to the last 16. Barbara Beamson’s team got to the last 16, but missed out going further by one shot. However it was a great achievement to make it that far. The club was thrilled to hear the news on the final day that two of its teams had made it to the semi-finals. Elsie Walker, Amanda Ninow and Tokkie de Kock played against the home team of Jill Buzzard, Maria Dreyer and Jenny Robinson, but sadly missed going through to the final by one shot. Jenny Delport, Denise Bingham and Val de Kok beat the team from Hillary to go through.

The two teams went into the final in the February heat after already playing two long games that day. It was fitting that the final was so close, but sadly Jenny and team lost by only one shot to Jill Buzzard and team. Well done in being worthy runners-up, and to Elsie’s team for a well-earned 3rd place. ABC is proud of them all.

In the women’s 2-4-2 which again was played as two-bowl pairs because of the heat, Doreen Salmond and Jackie Holdrick were the winners. Heather Brown and Margaret van Belkum were second. Lys McDonald and Maureen Griffin took the second session. Maggie Robertson won the 100 board.

Alan McGregor, Jeff van Belkum and Martin Young were the winners of the men’s monthly trips; and runners-up were Les John, Ken Leech and Ken Baker. The 2nd session was won by Gerald Chalder-Royle, Eric Klopper and Brian Cox.

At TGIF Linda McGregor won the 100 board. Sadly Denise Bingham was not at the club when her name was drawn in the attendance draw. Thus next week’s draw is worth R750. Doug Joubert’s number came out in the key draw, but sadly he failed to pick the winning key. Next week’s draw will be R1,390.

Doreen Salmond overcame Nicky Stirzaker in a closely contested open singles game; and in another tight game Talla Stephens-Viviers got the better of Denise Bingham; Robyn Hutton defeated Jackie Holdrick; and Nita Meumann beat Elmarie Young. In the women’s drawn pairs, Pam Chalder-Royle and Lesley Stephens-Viviers overcame Marion Crouch and Marie van der Walt; and Val de Kok and Leonie Mills beat Elsie Walker and Vera Broskie.

In the men’s handicap singles, Keith Berry defeated Clive Frank; Glen Scorgie beat Alan McGregor; Robbie Roberts beat Innocent Sithole; Greg McLeod overcame Kokkie de Kock; Mike Pitchers defeated Barry Buckland; Martín Young beat Bobby Henderson; and Jeff van Belkum narrowly defeated Shawn Sutherland.

One open singles game was played in which Guelfo Cobianchi overcame Phil Perkins; and in the drawn pairs Alec Stirzaker and Dennie Denysschen beat Mike Roberts and Guelfo Cobianchi.

In the scroungers, winners were Andrew Walker and Colin Coetzee; Brian Cox won plate A and Peter Labuschagne won plate B. Thanks to those who participated in the Picardy Bazooka raffle, where Jeanette Els won the biscuits and Steve Evenwel won the wine.

In the first barflies of 2016, the winners were Barry Simpson, M Ngcobo, and S and G Coleman. Runners-up were Glen Scorgie, Martin Birch, Shane Wilkinson and Janine Shepard. The first session went to Dave Kemp, Martie Wilkens, Khyla Terblanche and Rhyan Roberts; and the 2nd session to John Hewgill, Greg Veldman, Stuart Welch and Jacqui Birch. Most bowls went to Rob Troughton, Mike Morris, Barbara Brabant and Jane Veldman. The next barflies will be in June.

The list is on the board for the Brad Cox mixed singles which will take place on 2 and 3 April. Closing date is Sunday, 27 March. Good bowling to all who are playing in PN senior singles on Saturday, 12 March. Note that some of the men’s rounds will be played at ABC from 1pm.

Many happy returns this week to Karen Shepherd, Lyn Viljoen, Andrew Pearce and Maggie Robertson. Good health is wished to all.