Novices evolving from newbies to champions

The heat of the pressure cooker situation warmed the chilly Saturday morning breeze in the deciders of the Discovery Tower Novices Singles Championship. The club had been preparing to host a Sables event against a District team from the Free State, but sadly the coronavirus numbers forced the cancellation of that much-anticipated showdown. The novices would thus be given the spotlight as the weekend’s main event.

A novice is classified as someone who has been playing the game for three years or less, and has not won a singles competition previously. Over 60 novices from throughout the Sables District threw their hats in the ring and by Saturday, 22 May, only four lawn bowlers in each of the men’s and women’s divisions were left standing. The tournament dates back to the late 70s when the Sables District boasted over 30 thriving clubs.

After brushing aside their semi-final opponents, Irene Burger and Deirdre van Zyl would be the two ladies going end to end for the trophy. In a race to 21 shots, it would be Krugersdorp’s Deirdre who edged out her Noordheuwel opponent, 21–13.

The oldest name on the men’s trophy is that of Gert Visagie who lifted the Hillbrow Tower replica back in 1979, representing Maraisbrug Bowling Club. Now, 42 years later, the resurgent club had both slots in the men’s final occupied by their members. Maraisburg entered 15 novices and after a fiercely contested battle, Charl Steyl narrowly overcame Lance Bothma, 21–20.

Steve Maritz, president of Maraisburg Bowling Club, summed up the club’s joy, saying, “As Maraisburg Bowling Club we are tremendously proud to say that the last couple of seasons we had a lot of novice tournament entries. Well done to all novices who entered, and we are proud to say Maraisburg is bearing fruit. Congratulations to Charl; what a spectacular game to watch.”