Newcastle bowlers secure thrilling men’s fours victory
Newcastle bowlers edged a dramatic men's final as four teams qualified for district playoffs.
A cold and frosty Saturday morning saw determined bowlers gather at Volksrust Bowling Club for the Northern Zone men’s and ladies’ fours competition.
At the end of the day’s play, the finalists had been decided, with one team from Newcastle and one from Dundee progressing in both sections to compete against each other on Sunday.
Dundee ladies fight back to claim title
Newcastle’s Alice Howe, Joan Schoon, Edith Pretorius and Sue Hutchinson made an excellent start against Dundee’s Elsie de Jager, Jo-Ann Conolly, Yvonne Stuart and Taryn Bierbaum, taking an 8-1 lead after the fifth end.
The Dundee ladies mounted an impressive comeback to level the scores at 11-11 on the 11th end.
They maintained their momentum over the remaining four ends to secure victory.
Newcastle men edge dramatic final
The men’s final proved just as exciting, with Newcastle’s John and Trevor Douthwaite, Bennie van Vuuren and Tyron White taking on Dundee’s Des Johnson, Andrew Collett, Dougie Slabbert and Dirk Wessells.
With two ends remaining, the scores were locked at 9-9, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. The Newcastle team then picked up three shots to lead 12-9 with one end to play.
Dundee came agonisingly close to forcing an extra end, scoring two shots in the final end, but Newcastle held on to claim a hard-fought one-shot victory.
All four teams have now qualified for the KwaZulu-Natal Country Bowls district playoffs, which will be played in Ladysmith in September.
Volksrust Bowling Club deserves congratulations for hosting a well-run competition and providing outstanding hospitality throughout the weekend.
Newcastle Bowling Club will host two fundraising days on August 8 and 10 in support of two worthwhile causes, and entries are welcome.
Teams wishing to enter can contact Trevor on 084 443 0162 for the Nederduitsch Hervormde Gemeente bowls day on August 8, or Angelique on 067 114 6320 for the Thailand Outreach fundraiser on August 10.
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