Colleen is queen of the green

The Rynfield resident (43) scooped the Player of the Tournament Award at the recent Perfect Delivery Bowls South Africa Open Inter-District Championships, hosted in Ekurhuleni, and also returned home before that with gold around her neck after winning the women’s singles final at the Six Nations Test Series in Christchurch, New Zealand in March.

The Inter-District Championships open women’s section was won by Piketh’s Johannesburg Bowls Association district team.

She also recently represented the country at the World Cup Indoor Singles Championship in New South Wales, Australia.

Regarded as South Africa’s most versatile and successful bowler in the modern era, Piketh defeated world number one Karen Murphy of Australia 21-14 in the women’s singles final to add to her incredible collection of silverware, which includes a Commonwealth Games singles bronze medal and a pairs gold medal from Glasgow 2014.

The Bedfordview Bowling Club star began playing bowls at the age of 21 years old after trying out the sport with her father, Clive Webb.

Her father was a junior Springbok bowler while her mother, Brenda achieved her provincial colours and senior Springbok colours.

“Bowls consumed and was a massive part of our lives,” she told the City Times.

“Unfortunately there is that connotation of it being ‘old man’s marbles’ and that’s totally wrong,” Piketh said.

She added that she enjoys the challenge of the sport.

“Once you start playing it and you try to get that bowl on the same line four times you will realise that it is a tough skill.”

With regards to her experience in New Zealand, Piketh said that the conditions took some getting used to.

“The surfaces there are like playing on a glass table.

“They are so smooth and quick and there is no resistance in terms of grass, so you have got to have more control.”

Results didn’t quite go her way at the Indoor World Cup, but she was pleased with the experience ahead of the Australian Open on the Gold Coast in June and the World Bowls Championships in New Zealand in November.

Before the World Champs Piketh will also be part of the South African team that will play indoor test matches against Malaysia in Pretoria.

The former Norkem Park Primary School teacher offered some advice to people considering taking up bowls.

“Don’t be afraid to take up the challenge – once the bug bites you will be hooked.

“Through bowls you can build up an incredible friendship circle and meet a great variety of people.”