ABC hosts friendly bowls against touring Jersey party
Skills development afternoons will continue every Tuesday between 4pm and 6pm.
By Cher E Bell
AMANZIMTOTI Bowling Club (ABC) was honoured to host the Weaving International Friendship Foundation from Jersey in the Channel Islands on their golden anniversary tour of South Africa.
As the name implies, a friendly game of bowls was played on Monday, 26 February.
The 23 players were nearing the end of their six-week tour of South Africa. The foundation was started by Stewart Weaving in 1968, and last visited Amanzimtoti 25 years ago. They have travelled to and bowled in 21 countries and bowled at more than 600 different clubs. Stewart is in his 90th year and still playing bowls, which gives encouragement to everyone. After the game the players got to know each other in the hall for drinks and snacks, and president Alec Stirzaker declared the result a draw. Stewart presented Alec with a commemorative glass plaque, which will have pride of place at ABC. Friends were made and ABC hopes to see them again soon.
The club hosted the quarter finals of the PN men’s senior singles on Sunday, where good bowls were enjoyed by the spectators. Thanks to markers, the umpire and those who helped in the kitchen and bar. The semis and finals of all the PN men’s and women’s games will be played at Toti on Sunday, 25 March. Monthly muttons is on Saturday, 24 March in the afternoon.
A very close game of mixed pairs between Marietjie van den Bergh and Adie Fuller, and Dave Kemp and Jacqui Fouché was played in front of the veranda on Friday afternoon. Dave led all the way until the 20th end when Marietjie picked up five shots to go ahead 19-18, but Dave picked up two shots in the last end to win the game. In the women’s open singles, Barbara Beamson beat Marion Crouch; and Doreen Salmond overcame Jane Coetzee. In the senior singles Doreen Salmond defeated Heather Cooper; and Elmarie Young beat Marie van der Walt.
In the monthly men’s trips, the winners were Gerald Chalder-Royle, Steve Evenwell and Brian Cox; runners-up were Dennie Denysschen, Marietjie van den Bergh and William Sithole; and second session went to Andy Jones, Neil Wiggil and Steve Liebetrau.
At TGIF John Hewgill won the 100 board. Shirley Coulter was unfortunately not at the club, so next week’s attendance draw will be R150. Neville Roscoe’s key number was drawn, and Dave Gardner tried to open it for him, but sadly no luck. Next week’s lucky key will be worth R3,800.
Bowlers are to note the first and second rounds of men’s handicap singles is carded for Saturday and Sunday, 10 and 11 March. Markers are needed. Lists are up for the men’s novice singles, and the women’s drawn trips, put your names down as soon as possible.
Over Easter weekend, ABC will have a Pro 10 tournament on Saturday, 31 March and Sunday, 1 April. Pairs of any combination can play. Check the board for details as the entry form will go up this week.
Skills development afternoons will continue every Tuesday between 4pm and 6pm. Many happy returns are wished this week to Gary Wise and Karen Shepherd. Good health and good bowling is wished to all members.
