Two Toti bowlers in SA champs

By Jack E Toucher

TOTI Bowling Club was very proud to have two members playing in the SA inter-district championships that took place around the country last week.

Jeanne Alexander was part of the Port Natal B team which won silver in PE, and Doreen Salmond was a skip of the senior team which played in Johannesburg.

Although they weren’t able to bring any silverware home they did manage to get an eight, which at that level of play is quite an achievement.

Nineteen teams from Toti entered the Port Natal mixed pairs (Oppenheimer) competition which started last weekend. Five of these teams have qualified for the next round. They are Robyn Hutton and Terry Morgan; Ian Crouch and Denise Bingham; Tokkie and Kokkie de Kock; Marion Crouch and Greg McLeod, and Heather Brown and Mike Pitchers. Well done and good luck for the next leg.

In second round club competitions, Nita Meumann overcame Lyn Joubert in women’s open singles. In men’s open singles Glen Scorgie beat Alec Stirzaker; Keith Berry lost to Denny Denysschen; Dave McMillan beat Jeff van Belkum. Wessie van der Westhuizen lost to Doug Joubert in handicap singles and Lofty van Tonder and Michelle Pitchers lost to Gustav Somers and Tokkie de Kock in the nominated mixed pairs.

In round three games, Greg McLeod beat Leon van Rensburg in handicap singles, while Alf Bingham and Brian Cox lost to Ian Crouch and Phil Perkins in men’s drawn pairs.

In the semi-finals of women’s drawn pairs, Val de Kok and Leonie Mills beat Pam Chalder-Royle and Leslie Stephens-Viviers.

The women’s 2-4-2 managed one session before rain stopped play last week. The winners were Marion Crouch and Adrienne Robbins. Nita Meumann and Cathy du Plooy came second, and as there was no session prize, Pam Chalder-Royle and Talla Stephens-Viviers received third prize. The 100 board was won by Maureen Warrior.

Les John, Ken Leech and Marteins Botha won the men’s trips which is sponsored by Ford Fury. Peter Labuschagne, Dave Kemp and Ben Venter were runners-up, and second session went to Ian Crouch, Lofty van Tonder and Brian Crause.

At TGIF Noreen Butler won the 100 board; however Gerald Gordon-Hughes was not present to win the attendance draw, which rises to R950 next week. Ian McDonald got to try his luck in the key draw, but unfortunately for him the pot rises to R3,380 next week.

Al McGregor was named ‘member of the month’ for March in appreciation of his help with odd-jobs around the club, and if you have noticed the club has purchased new benches situated between B and C greens. Thanks also to Peter Callaghan for the paving. It’s also thanks to Terry Morgan and Nicky Stirzaker for the refreshing of the club gardens, and to those members who donated plants to keep the club looking attractive. It’s members like these who keep the spirit of the club alive, and it’s really appreciated.

The men’s district league starts on Saturday, 16 April so check the notice board. Potjie day is coming up soon on Sunday, 1 May. The theme is Hawaiian, and there will be prizes for the best dressed as well as the usual first and second places. All potjie cooking teams stand to win prizes this year. However, it is essential to put names down early so that catering arrangements came be made.

The draw for the women’s senior singles is up and entry fees should be paid as soon as possible. Players are asked to arrange their games during the week if possible, as weekends are fully booked with PNB fixtures for the next few weeks. More names are still needed for the women’s league, so don’t be shy. Any bric-a-brac for the winter table will also be appreciated.

Birthday greetings for the week go to Yvonne Hooper and Keith Berry, and condolences to Les and Heather Brown on the loss of their father, Les Brown Snr.