Local mixed pair claims provincial lawn bowls title

The climax of the Mpumalanga Provincial Mixed Pairs Lawn Bowls competition took place on a cool, cloudy Sunday morning in front of a fair gathering of fellow bowlers, on the immaculate rinks.

Only two matches remained.

In the one, Malalane’s Piet and Marina Smith, winners of the Lowveld Mixed Pairs, played for third and fourth place against David and Annatjie Roos from Groblersdal Bowls Club.

In the other, White River’s Dean Paiva and Beryl Biggs contested in the final against Sakkie Mokwena and Phina Setswalo from Witbank Golf Bowls Club.

Both matches played over the full 21 ends.

Despite playing on familiar territory, Paiva and Biggs started as the underdogs, as their opponents had already finished runners-up in this tournament a few years ago.

In the play-off for third place, the Smiths’ lead was cut to a single shot with five ends to play, but then they pulled relentlessly away, to run out winners by 21 shots to 14.

The final was a very studious affair, with many discussions at the head to decide on the next shot to be played.

The White River pair were 18 shots to seven ahead at half way, but the Witbank pair came back strongly. When the final end started they were within striking distance.

Some excellent drawing shots from both leads set up a thrilling finish, but Paiva and Biggs kept their nerve and despite being one shot down, were in the fortunate position of not having to play the final bowl, running out narrow winners by 23 shots to 21.

Also read: Mpumalanga bowls senior ladies compete in Johannesburg