By Cher E Bell
EXCITING news is that ‘B20’ bowls will be officially launched on the South Coast at Amanzimtoti Bowling Club (ABC) this month.
This brand new format will do for bowls what T20 did for cricket.
It’s faster, more fun and colourful. The inaugural series for members will start under floodlights on Wednesdays at 5.30pm from 22 March for four weeks. The aim is to get everyone acquainted with the game. The format is two bowls trips, and entrance is free. All teams will get a chance to play on rotation, so the sooner your team is on the list, the sooner you get to play.
Congratulations go to ABC’s Barbara Beamson and Doreen Salmond who have gone through to the semi-finals of the Port Natal women’s senior singles, which was played at Stella Park at the weekend. Good bowling to them in these games, which will be played at ABC on Saturday, 25 March. Also on that day, ABC will host all the semis and finals of men’s open and senior singles and women’s open singles.
The club hosted the first rounds of the PN women’s open singles on Saturday and Sunday. Well done to Michelle Pitchers, who progressed as far as the last 16, and to Talla Stephens-Viviers who made it to the quarter-finals where she had a narrow loss. The games were riveting, and the club veranda was once again crowded. Those who made it through to the semi-finals were Jill Hackland of Umhlali CC, Louise Larkin and Glenda Matthews of Stella Park, and Linda Didlick of Hillary.
Thank you to Vera Broskie and Jacqui Fouché for officiating, to umpire Julie Sutherland, to all the willing markers, and to the greens staff, as well as the bar and kitchen staff. Thank you also to club president Alec Stirzaker for providing energy drinks to the players and markers to help them cope with the heat.
In the men’s Fury Ford trips, winners were Glen Scorgie, Peter Callaghan and Barry Bush. Runners-up were Jeff van Belkum, Martin Young and Herman van Zyl, and second session went to Vince Marriott, Dennis Hughes and Martin Birch.
At TGIF Toni and Mike Roberts won the 100 board. Stuart Pickles was not in attendance so next week’s members’ draw will be worth R300. John Allers picked a key with a lucky R100 tag, but had no luck opening the box. Next week’s key will be worth R7,580. Well done to greenkeeper William Sithole, who was voted member of the month in light of the fact that visiting players have recently been very complimentary about the quality of the club’s greens.
Good bowling to Barbara Beamson and Doreen Salmond who will play SA inter districts seniors in Pietermaritzburg and to Jeanne Alexander who will play SA inter districts B side to be held in the Kingfisher District next week.
The first rounds of the men’s open singles is carded for Saturday, 11 March. Markers are needed. The men’s and women’s PN trips draw is on the board. Scroungers will return on 10 March, the list is on the board. Barflies will make a return on Sunday, 2 April. Pensioners league starts at Toti on Tuesday, 28 March.
Condolences go to Rob and Corinna Troughton and family on the death of Rob’s mother; and also to Lys and Ian McDonald and family on the death of Lys’s mother in Scotland.
ABC wishes Gary Wise and Karen Shepherd a very happy birthday, and hopes all those who are sick get well soon.
