Scratch champion tenpin bowlers line up in Toti

OVER the past weekend Amanzimtoti Tenpin Bowling Club hosted the prestigious annual scratch championships at Dolphin Bowl.

There was a smaller field than usual but the standard was extremely high, with 28 games over 200 being bowled.

The tournament is split up into three groups based on averages, to give a fair chance to all bowlers to win their respective division.

In the A division after the first round of five games, Andrew Cyster was narrowly in the lead from Bronwen Elbourne with Ricky O’Hare in third. The B division was headed by Zander Kumst from Carol Farrow and Dave Jacobs in third. The C division saw John-Keegan Rykov in first, followed by Vanessa Wilson-Thompson with Lisa Wilson in third.

Sunday morning bright and early, or rather just early, the finals commenced with B and C divisions facing up. Despite a concerted challenge being thrown out, the overnight leaders held on to win the overall event. Congratulations to Zander Kumst and Carol (B division) and John-Keegan Rykov and Vanessa (C division).

Then it was the turn of the ‘big guns’, the A division. They took to the lanes and played eight games without a break, which took its toll on some of the participants. Andrew, by virtue of bowling an average of 205 pins per game, held onto first place from a fast finishing Ricky O’Hare (average 195) and Dylan van Berkel in third (average 193.7). Bronwen battled but managed to hold on to take the women’s trophy.

League news for the past week: Monday Taxi Trios, the league is headed by the ‘high flying’ High 5’s from Split Happens and Pulse (last season’s champions) in third.

High scores achieved:

Ricky O’Hare continues his recent run of form with a game of 243 while Brian Daventry-Bull struck a 228 while for the women, Stacey-Lee Hooper shot a fine 246 to follow her lane record performance of 275 bowled recently, and Cheryl Hambrook 204.

Wednesday Soho league has Chalkie White in first place on a -7 and Katie Alberts second on -19.

Wednesday Millenium league sees husband-and-wife team of Jan and Santa (Lefty) Els in control followed by Jivdrew. Only one high game was bowled by reserve Theolin Govender of 236.

Thursday Dolphin Doubles sees the long awaited return to the top of the P-Cats team followed by Double up and Master Blasters. High game came from Collin Farrow who shocked the opposition with a fine game of 235 while Ricky O’Hare could only manage a 225.

Juniors sees Kimi Govender jointly in first spot with newcomer Gino Corbianchi and John-Keegan in third. Jean Gerber is leading Phantom league on 940 from Pierce Fitzpatrick on 852 and Gus McKay 849. In the staff league, newcomer Urika van der Walt is currently in second place behind Ross Titley.

Another tournament played recently, swipe card finals was won by junior John-Keegan Rykov who seem to be going through a purple patch in bowling at the moment from Terry du Plooy.

The parent-and-child event takes place on 28 September and the last round of inter-league is on 5 October.