WBC out as men’s nationals get underway

By Bob Hayward

THE South African national men’s bowls tournament got underway in Durban with the start of the pairs on Saturday and Sunday.

Five matches were played on a round robin basis to establish section winners.

Wanderers Bowling Club (WBC) fielded several teams, who had mixed results with some very close finishes, but none made it – in some cases by a count out on shot differences – to the playoffs. The fours started on Monday and hopefully there will be a more positive report next week on that outcome.

Taffy’s pairs last Wednesday was won by the delightful Spack spouses, Dawn and Kurt with a 4+11. Len Roscoe and Chris Klopper took the second session with a plus five and Lofty Cawthorne won the rump steak. Johan Nel won the Amarula gift pack and Chris Klopper won the wine. Thanks to Booth’s Bottle Store for their sponsorship of these prizes. The lotto was not won, and is yet another carry over.

‘Bob’s surprise package’ on Thursday attracted the right number of participants to enable the launch of the trips ‘mix n mash swop around’, a format of play probably never before played in this country. Players each drew a number which directed them to their rink where they met their partners and opponents according to a chart. Playing three teams per rink with two bowls, the winners scored four points, runners-up two points and losers no points per session. Each session found the players playing in a different position with different partners against different opponents, thus giving each player not only exposure to a new position but with a renewed chance of improving their score. The goal was to emerge as the individual with the highest number of individual points at the conclusion of three sessions.

It was a great way of interacting and although there were many questions especially regarding the scoring, it was great fun and enjoyed by all. Tom Cloete was the only one who emerged with a full house of 12 points and was the overall winner. Bob Hayward came second with 10 points and Alan Bower was third with nine points. The raffled meat packs were won by Robbie Carr and Alan Bower. This was the second occurrence of this event, and so far two of the three possible formats have been played. Perhaps next month, the third format will be used. The next date is 9 June.

Lyn Wild’s pairs as well as the midweek league will be cancelled next Wednesday while nationals are being played.

Sad news is that Eric Kitchenbrand died in hospital on Saturday, 14 May. Sincerest condolences are extended to Margaret and his family. He will be missed.

A reminder that the 2015 bowls prize-giving will be held on Sunday, 12 June at 2pm in the tabs room. The bowls fun day is on Thursday, 16 June – see Kim or Lorinne.

Nomads bowls is due on Sunday, 22 May. See Lionel De La Rey for details. The R10,000 draw winner (from the R100 tickets sold) was Albert Diedericks, ticket 27.

The scribe apologises for an error in last week’s report. It was not Chris Klopper and team who scored two points for the C side in their league clash against La Domaine last week, it was Archie Fisher and his team.