Masters ascend to their thrones

Burnt End

Master bowlers had the Time (Freight) of their lives at Newcastle Bowling Club last weekend.

A total of 12 of the top male and female bowlers participated in the prestigious KwaZulu-Natal Country Bowls Time Freight Masters championship, setting the scene for excellent bowling.

Each player played five games within their section to determine the section winners.

All sections were closely contested, with a number of players advancing to the final games, including Newcastle’s Norman Forbes, who made a welcome return to the sport.

Ladies‘ Section A was won by Barbara Baleri of Ladysmith Country Club.

She was followed by Yvonne Steenkamp of Empangeni (6 + 11), while Section B went to Ronel Greef of Richards Bay (8 + 10), who held a lead over Dundee’s Nan Roos (6 + 19) and Empangeni’s Rita Meyer (6 + 4).

In the final between Barbara and Ronel, the latter was first off the mark.

She built a steady lead throughout the final and did not relent, and ultimately succeeded in raising the 2014 Ladies’ Masters Champion crown.

The men’s sections were as closely contested.

Norman Forbes returned to the fray with only one lost game to win his section (8 + 14), with defending champion Braam van Zyl of Harrismith (6 + 19) and Vryheider Hogart Gevers (6 + 6) just off his pace.

Evergreen Newcastillian, Sid Price (8 + 32) again showed his mastery in the singles discipline.

He did this by winning his section, with Phillip Scheepers of Vryheid (6 + 19) in second place and Mike Bowman of Eshowe (6 + 6) rounding off the top three.

The much-anticipated final was a game punctuated by friendly Newcastle rivalry.

Norman got off to a quick start, scoring a brace on the first end, to which Sid retaliated with some steady drawing and accurate driving to move to take control of the game.

In the later stages, Norman struggled to find his earlier form.

As a result, combined with Sid continually piling on the pressure with consistent drawing, the veteran maintained his lead to regain the Masters title he has won on numerous occasions.

District President, Andy Crosbie thanked the host club for their hospitality and the sponsors for their continued support.

The FedAuto Summer Business League got under way last week, with a full house of 24 teams (and a waiting list of six hopeful teams) all renewing old rivalries.

Games will continue into March when the two sections play against each on the final evening.

The popular Business League is enjoyed by all who participate, many of who will hopefully take up the game permanently and join the club in time.