Wentworth bowlers show phenomenal support
The club is attempting to collect funds for their two youngsters who need to participate in the Bowls South Africa U20 national tournament in Bloemfontein during March.
Members of Wentworth Bowling Club (WBC), wearing their distinctive club yellow, gathered at Durban Bowling Club on Saturday, 1 February, in support of their four remaining bowlers in the Port Natal novice singles competition.
Playing for a place in the quarter finals, Denzil Lewis fought a tough battle, but unfortunately lost by two shots to bow out of the competition. However, Matt Lassak, Brad Claassens and Gees Dennis each attained their goal of 21 shots and knock out their opponents to move through to the last eight and keep their supporters waiting with bated breath for the quarter final games.
Once again, the competition was fierce and all three Wentworth bowlers did themselves, and the club, proud as they won heads and shared the lead with their oppositions. Playing with his usual calm, finesse Lassak quickly matched and then superseded his opponent’s challenge to claim his spot in next Saturday’s semi-finals. Unfortunately Claassens and Dennis, both fighting hard in close encounters, did not manage to win their games. On that note, congratulations are extended to all four Wentworth men who performed superlatively throughout the tournament and contributed to the camaraderie and spirit that prevails at the club.
The club has postponed the first round of the Grace Hare mixed trips competition to allow members to support Lassak in his effort to repeat Troy Garland’s performance in 2019 and bring the trophy back to Wentworth on Saturday morning.
Worth mentioning is the performance of Clint Duncan from Bluff Bowling Club, who too has earned a semi-final spot. In a district that hosts 30 clubs, stretching from Umhlali (in the north) to Winkelspruit (in the south) and Gillitts (in the west); to have two local bowlers in the last four in a district competition speaks volumes for the standard of bowls in the community and hopefully will encourage any person considering the sport of lawn bowls, and hasn’t yet attempted to master the bias, to give it a try.
The promotion and development bowls programme hosted by WBC on a Wednesday afternoon continues to grow and produce competitive bowlers who are holding their own against seasoned opponents on the green. The days are open to all in an atmosphere in which the games are played in a friendly spirit and the rules and etiquette of the game are shared between the experienced and the newbies. Any potentially interested participants can contact Margaret (SURNAME) on 082-961-8538 for details.
On Wednesday, 29 January, competitors in the Grand Rapid Spur any pairs competition took to the green to do battle for the prizes. Regular visitors from Amanzimtoti Bowling Club, Julie Sutherland and Amanda Ninow, stamped their authority on the field and took top spot with a commendable four plus 27. Ten shots behind were the second placed side comprising Brian Smith and Herbie Roux. The second session prize went to Chad Wilson and Clint Duncan with a plus 10 win over their opponents.
Thursday’s Wentworth Breakfast Trips saw Jorge Santos skip Ron Addinall and Jacques ‘Stepladder’ Geldenhuys to first place on the podium, leaving Norman Moore, Godfrey Addinall and Claude Newman in second spot. The second session went to Kurt and Dawn Spack and their lead, Jo Jo Jordaan. Visitor to the club, Trevor Innes, purchased a last ditch ticket on the raffle sheet and left with a roast pork and a bottle of wine.
It was the turn of Robin de Gouveia, Clive Hein and Gary Lelong to claim first prize in Friday’s Tomasina’s men’s casual bowls when they accumulated a four plus 15, 10 shots ahead of second placed Brian Smith, Phil Hill and Albert van Niekerk. Errol Pienaar, Colin Howes and Frank Gielink left with the week’s sportsmen’s prize. Ashley Sherrat won the raffled meat pack, and Dave Carroll and Kurt Spack shared the booty from the 60/ 40 board.
A visit from the Weaving Friendship Tour, bowlers from Jersey in the Channel Islands on Thursday afternoon, 30 January, resulted in a decision to postpone the fundraising event for Trystan and Kearan Lassak until this Thursday evening, 7 February. The club is attempting to collect funds for their two youngsters who need to participate in the Bowls South Africa U20 national tournament in Bloemfontein during March. The club’s joker and members attendance draws will take place during the evening. Any contribution from the community that would assist in the club’s efforts to raise funds for Trystan and Kearan Lassak would be greatly appreciated.
The men are reminded of their final league practice on Sunday, 9 February, at 2.30pm. The league commences on Saturday, 15 February, and the club looks forward to all three sides hosting their opposition in home games.
