Men’s inter-club league ends while district fours looms

By Bob Hayward

WANDERERS Bowling Club's final matches of the long drawn out men’s interclub league were eventually played out over the past weekend.

There was no cause for celebration from any of the five Wanderers teams, which sort of ended on a gentle whimper rather than the hoped for adrenalin rush of bristling wins.

The A side lost by a whitewash to Bluff on Saturday and only garnered two points off Westville on Sunday. The B side scored no additional points at all, losing to Northlands away and Westville at home. The C siders managed two points on each outing, thanks to Eric Smit’s team, against Lahee Park on Saturday and Gillitts on Sunday. The D side drew a blank on Saturday against Umhlali Country Club away but picked up three points on Sunday against Chatsworth. The E side, the only ones without a real chance of promotion prior to the start of the weekend, did best of all, picking up two points against Woodlands away on Saturday but managing a full-house five points against Amanzimtoti at home on Sunday.

Too little, too late, it is feared for all teams. Ah well, there’s always next year – and a new bunch of selectors perhaps making some new choices.

The after league braai and party was well supported, and a big shout out is due to the committee and many hard workers and contributors behind the scenes for preparing a delicious array of salads, organising rolls, cutlery, strong fires, brilliant music by the Boogie Band members and a fun atmosphere. A great time was had by all. A number of birthdays were also celebrated: Jean Edley, Stix De Wet and Bob Hayward.

In club competitions, Michelle Bezuidenhout beat Val McCaffrey 21-8 and Mary Rust beat Chantal Hearnshaw 21-13 in the women's handicap singles. Steve Van Rooyen and Doris Weller beat Joan Bruce and Bob Hayward 23-15 in the mixed nominated pairs. Gordon Chislett and Terry Brown beat Eric Smit and Archie Fisher 21-17 in the men’s nominated pairs. Arnie Harper beat Lofty Cawthorne 21-18 in the men’s senior singles and resident assistant manager and promising young novice, Shaun McAlister continued on his winning way with a 21-13 victory over Ron Jackson in the men’s handicap singles, thus reaching the semi-finals to face the experienced Steve Van Rooyen.

Newly married women's competition secretary Margaret 'Honey' Kitchenbrand (nee Eitner) wishes everyone to know that she and hubby Eric (also referred to by her as 'her Honey') recently returned from their 'honey'moon in St Lucia refreshed and almost 'out of honey' and that she has carded a number of women's competitions for next Saturday. These have been posted on the board. Women are asked to check if they are involved and to get their matches played.

Upcoming events: The next two Wednesdays feature the roadrunners pairs and the Lyn Wilds pairs respectively.Call Ronnie Jackson on 031-464-7990 to enter or confirm your team.

The Port Natal district fours for men and women gets underway with one match on Saturday followed by all day Sunday,12 and 13 October. For those still in contention, it will resume with the same format the following weekend of 19 and 20 October. Note that it is proposed to go ahead with the Woodpark fours, skins tournament on Sunday, 20 October in spite of it clashing with the latter stages of the district fours, so enter your names on the list or phone Bob Hayward on 076-403-2265 / 031-467-8816 to enter or confirm your team. Many prizes will be up for grabs.

Various meat winners last Friday were: Mutton pack and wors, Peter Fox; rump steak, Richard Hendicott; chicken pack, Ian Demmer; pork ribs, Shiralee Mill; chicken, Shirls de la Rey.

Snowball of R500 was not won as Rupert Gray was not present.

Snippet: Some reminders from the Bowls South Africa booklet entitled “The Etiquette of Bowls” which some of us sometimes overlook or forget: I quote verbatim directly from the booklet. Words in parenthesis not included: 8.10 After a skip has played the last bowl in an end and it has come to rest, the opposing skip should pick up the mat (well, of course); 9.4 Players not in the act of playing or controlling play must stand 2 metres behind the head or 1 metre behind the mat and ensure that their shadow does not fall on the jack or across the player’s delivery line. When a long end has been set, or the jack falls into the ditch, stand on the bank. (So what’s new – only common decency and logical, huh)?; 9.11 Do not make excuses for bad play. If a green happens to be bad; play it – it is the same for both sides. As in most sports, you make your own luck. The good fortune will go to the team with the most bowls in the head and the team who mastered the green first. Be humble in victory, and graceful in defeat. (Ring any bells)?; 9.12 Never criticize the performance of your teammates during or after a game (Nobody ever does that, right?); 9.14 Do not say “thank you” if your opponents happen to give the shot away. Rather say “bad luck” (Even if you do feel thankful?); 9.16 If you follow your bowl after delivery, do not obstruct the view of your opponent. Remember it is law that you must either be behind the head, or behind the mat when your bowl comes to rest (anybody ever seen this happen?); 9.17 Know the boundaries of your duties as a player in a particular position. Never try to exceed them as you may interfere with the duties of others (oh, this can be so frustrating, no?)(And finally): 9.22 When playing against a visiting team, or player, at your club, extend your hospitality and attend to their requirements. To be engaged after a game with reciprocal refreshments fosters friendship and gives this great game its magnetic charm (most of us are only too happy to oblige with this one, others run off with barely a handshake. Where do you fit in)?