ABC’s Talla wins through to handicap final

By Cher E Bell

CONGRATULATIONS to the team of Doreen Salmond, Marion Crouch, Jane Coetzee and Adrienne Robbins of Amanzimtoti Bowling Club, who won their plate game in the midweek league by a convincing score of 20-8 over their opponents from Parkhill.

Good bowling to them in the final which will be played at Hillary on 27 May.

In the second semi-final of the women’s handicap singles, Talla Stephens-Viviers had a good win over Nita Meumann. Talla, who has only been bowling two years and is ABC’s current novice singles champion, will now meet another seasoned bowler in Doreen Salmond in the final. Good bowling to both players.

The annual Spade Day competition took place on Friday, 1 May. There was a good turnout, and everyone enjoyed the lovely weather. The winners were Tokkie de Kock, Ben Venter and Don Saunders. Runners-up were Kokkie de Kock, Ken Leech and Glen Scorgie; and the third prize went to Gladys Hughes, Archie Walker and Neville Roscoe. Tokkie and Archie won more prizes as the best dressed woman and man. The first session was won by Phil Perkins, Peter Labuschagne and Pam Chalder-Royle; and the second session went to Trevor Zulch, Maxien Barnes and Ray Robinson. Jeff van Belkum won the most touchers prize with an amazing count of nine. Many more prizes were won, and not many bowlers went home emptyhanded.

Jeff also won the whisky prize kindly donated by Dallas Davis on the 100 board; second and third winners of the board were Gladys Hughes and Talla and Lesley Stephens-Viviers. As usual many thanks for the success of the day go to the greenkeeping staff; the kitchen staff for sandwiches and braai accompaniments; to Doug Joubert for the music; to Neville Roscoe for his help with organisation and a big thank you to the main sponsor, Jerry Gertzen of Orange River Cellars.

In the women’s league, Toti A lost to Bluff 0-5 at Toti; Toti B lost to Hillcrest 2-3 at Parkhill; Toti C lost 2-3 against Stella Park at Westville CC; and Toti D lost 2-3 to Durban at Durban. Total points to date are Toti A – 8 points; Toti B – 4 points; Toti C – 6 points; and Toti D – 7 points. In the men’s league, Toti A team lost 2-5 against Hillary; Toti B lost 2-5 against Durban; Toti C lost 0-7 against Westville; Toti D won 3-2 against Queen’s; Toti E lost 0-5 to Hillcrest; Toti F lost to Hillary 0-5; Toti G lost 2-3 to Le Domain.

In the women’s open singles, Jeanne Alexander had a good win over Leonie Mills, as did Michelle Pitchers over Margaret van Belkum. In the match of the morning, the game between Lynn Joubert and Jacqui Fouché was a ding-dong battle lasting 27 ends with nine peels in the game, until finally Lynn prevailed 21-17.

In the men’s nominated pairs, Peter Barnes and Mike Roberts beat Boet Els and Dave McMillan; and Barry Buckland and Jeff van Belkum defeated Adie Fuller and Shawn Sutherland. In the men’s drawn pairs, Andrew Pearce and Wessie van der Westhuizen overcame Neville Roscoe and Ben Venter, and Alec Stirzaker and Alan McGregor were the winners over Gerald Chalder-Royle and Herman van Zyl.

On Sunday, a packed veranda watched the semis and final of the Port Natal Oppenheimer mixed pairs. The winners this year were Gary Moffat and Lilah Nel of the Bluff, with Jimmy Clark and Claire Murray of Hillcrest coming in as runners-up. In third place were Clinton and Sarie Bisset, also of the Bluff, with John and Candida Horn of Durban coming 4th. Well done to all players. Amanzimtoti Bowling Club was honoured to host such a prestigious tournament.

Good bowing to the women playing away in Margate this week, and also to the three women playing in qualifying masters next weekend at ABC. Note the draw for the men’s open singles is on the board.

Many happy returns go this week to Mike Groom, Alan McGregor, Neville Roscoe, Don Saunders, Maureen van der Poel, Joan van Rensburg and John Allers. Get well soon to Christine Darley who is in hospital, and to all other members who are unwell.