Ian Oehley and Warren van der Sloot triumph in thrilling Pro10 championship

Supporters were treated to two days of bowls at its most dramatic, as weather, skill and nerve combined to produce a weekend that will linger long in the memory of bowlers and spectators alike.

Saturday, January 17, dawned hot and steamy — the kind of oppressive summer heat that tests concentration as much as technique. Across Wentworth and Hillary Bowling Clubs, the men’s and women’s section winners braved the conditions as they battled their way through to the quarter-final stage.

With relentless humidity, composure became as valuable as drawing the shot. By the day’s end, the field had narrowed, and the stage is set for the decisive rounds, which will be played at Wentworth BC on Sunday, February 1, promising high drama.

If Saturday’s heat was a test of endurance, Sunday, offered a complete contrast. Cool temperatures and blustery, swirling winds greeted competitors — conditions that might have dampened spirits elsewhere, but not here. Instead, the 30 section winners rose to the challenge, battling fierce crosswinds with admirable resolve and skill.

Spectators were treated to riveting displays of 10-end, 4-3-2-1 bowls, which kept the contest alive until the final bowl of every end. From first delivery to last, the tension was palpable.

The semi-finals showcased bowls of the highest calibre. Westville Bowling Club’s Brent Massy and Warren Kidd clashed with Hillary BC’s Ian Oehley and Warren van der Sloot in a fiercely contested encounter, while Parkhill’s Brad Lezar and Neil Tovey faced Hillary’s Eddie Steffens and Gerdus Beukes. 

With gusts forcing constant recalculation of line and weight, each end became a contest of nerve.  When the dust settled, it was Hillary’s Oehley and van der Sloot, along with Parkhill’s Lezar and Tovey, who emerged victorious to book their places in the final.

The championship match delivered everything bowls enthusiasts could hope for. In a gripping, end-to-end contest, Parkhill pressed hard, but Hillary’s pairing held their nerve when it mattered most, snatching victory in dramatic fashion and sealing a memorable win.

For Warren van der Sloot, the triumph carried special significance. Having already secured a place in the PNB Open Men’s side, capturing a PNB district title marked the achievement of his second major goal.

He was quick to praise the calm, measured demeanour of his skip, Ian Oehley, noting how it proved decisive under pressure. Van der Sloot also applauded the superb standard of Amanzimtoti’s greens and the warm hospitality of its members, before thanking his club mates whose vocal support from the viewing veranda spurred the pair on to victory.

It has been noted that a concerning trend is emerging where some experienced bowlers resort to blame when results don’t go their way. It’s worth remembering that the opposition played on the same rink, and your partner is giving their best.

An aggressively negative attitude does nothing to improve performance — it only undermines teamwork and the spirit of the game. Nonetheless, bowls, it seems, thrives when tested — and this weekend proved exactly why.