Weekend of drama, colour and class

A packed weekend of bowls delivered every ingredient fans could hope for — suspense, colour, camaraderie and some truly memorable performances. From the fiercely contested Berea Novice Pairs Championships to the festive flair of Westville’s Spring Fling, the greens were alive with passion and precision.

The weekend opened with the excitement that always surrounds the Men’s and Women’s Berea Novice Pairs — a showcase of emerging talent and cool composure under pressure.

In the women’s semi-finals, both games went down to the wire. Stella Park’s Laura Todkill and Brenda Olivier edged out Westville CC’s Liza Allan and Linda Haynes by five shots, while Umhlanga’s Michelle Groves and Midge Evered-Hall secured their place in the final with a four-shot win over Queen’s Taylor Layden and Jo-Anne Laden.

The final proved every bit the thriller spectators hoped for. With 13 ends played, only a single shot separated the two sides — 9–8 to Stella Park. From there, Todkill and Olivier’s compatibility shone through as they, playing strategically to each other’s strengths, picked up seven shots to Umhlanga’s one over the closing ends, sealing the 2025 Women’s Berea Novice Pairs title 16–9.

The men’s semi-finals were just as gripping. Hillary’s Sadha Govender and Collegians BC’s Raveen Mothilal dominated Winklespruit’s Tommy Randall and Johan Gordon, taking the game 23–10. In the other semi, Roy McCauley (Berea BC) and Trevor Freeman (Collegians) overcame Durban’s Rajen Reddy and Lenny Anthony 19–11 to book their place in the decider.

The men’s final, however, took the weekend’s drama to new heights. Govender and Mothilal built a commanding 14–8 lead after 15 ends, but McCauley and Freeman refused to yield, clawing back six shots to level at 14-all with one end to play.

Spectators watched in tense silence as McCauley and Freeman held three shots with the skips each having 2 bowls in hand. Then came a moment of brilliance — Govender’s penultimate bowl picked up the jack and nestled it just centimetres from the ditch. McCauley’s two attempts to draw the shot rolled agonisingly through, and Govender confidently declared the final bowl to claim the championship.

Berea BC President Warren Green praised the exceptional standard of play, commending all semi-finalists for an entertaining display and expressing gratitude to loyal sponsors Nomgwenya Security for their continued support.

Saturday’s excitement continued at Westville Bowling Club, where the annual Ladies Spring Fling brought flair and fun to the greens. Dressed in bright spring colours, teams played with style and spirit, with the home side of Lindsay Owen, Marshona du Plessis and Vivienne Kockett claiming top honours.

On Sunday, attention turned to the ever-popular Westville CC Sixes. With mixed teams competing across pairs and fours, competition was fierce yet friendly. Raymond Mayes, John Connellan, Elijah Momsen, Tony Fourie, Mandy Atherson and Minnette Hatton-Jones, with a narrow win, claimed the winner’s pot.

The PNB community extend best bowling wishes to Wayne Roberts and Susan Nel, who depart today for Malaysia to represent South Africa at the World Cup of Bowls.