Zululand men sweep KZN Singles
Zululand’s male bowlers had a more than fruitful time last weekend when they annexed both the open and senior KZN Singles titles, played at the Richards Bay Bowling Club on Saturday and Sunday. Although the women did not fare as well, things could have been different if the bowling gods had been just a wee bit kinder. Dion Leaity, despite losing his opening game to Zululand teammate Byron Mathias 21-15, went on to win the next four by comfortable margins, his closest being a 21-15 victory over Walter Moore of Midlands, who finished as runner-up in the competition. Mathias, who had been leading the field after three games, unfortunately failed to continue his good form and, after losing his last two games, had to be satisfied with third place. The men’s senior event proved to be one way traffic for Zululand’s Grant Walters, who was on top of his game throughout the tournament. After beating fellow Zululander Frank Rautenbach 21-18 in his opening game, he went on to record wins of 21-5, 21-8, 21-13 and 21-12 to add the senior’s title to that of Dion Leaity’s open title. Rautenbach went on to finish a more than creditable third.
Women
The women’s open title was won by Alice Howe of Northerns, who went through the tournament unbeaten, although she was given something of a fright when she squeezed in against Zululand’s Gloria Garbutt by a single shot (21-20).
Garbutt, who filled third place, also lost a close two shot encounter (21-19) to Kitty Daugherty of Midlands, who was the open runner-up.
After four rounds in the women’s senior event, Yvonne Steenkamp of Zululand, having only lost one game, was in pole position on 6+6 and things were pointing towards a third title.
Up against her closest rival in Steffie Els of Midlands, Steenkamp suffered what was for her an unusually heavy defeat when she went down 21-13, which relegated her to third place and handed the title to Els and allowed Esmé van Rooyen of Northerns to clinch the runner-up spot.
Two Bowl Trips
There will undoubtedly be some movement at both the top and bottom of the log when the third round of the Empangeni Bowling Club’s Two Bowl Trips competition is played this Thursday 28 January.
At the top, Casey Meyer (4+26) is up against Peter Garbutt (4+23), André ‘Walkman’ Rautenbach (4+15) meets Miskiet Ferreira (4+8) and Beryl Lovell (4+7) clashes with Dion ‘The Champ’ Leaity (3+14).
At the other end of the scale, six teams remain winless, but once again this week will see some changes.
What are the odds against Shaun Francis breaking his duck?
Last week’s session prize, sponsored by Brian Meyer, was won by K Bindell and team with a plus 15.