PNB bowlers shine at KZN Fours

"THAT was a gruelling tournament," was the remark overheard from Minnette Hatton-Jones during the KZN 4’s medal presentation on Monday afternoon — and no words could have rung truer.

The fours championships delivered five intense games of sectional play, a decisive playoff and semis and finals showdowns that tested every ounce of stamina, precision and team cohesion from those who made it through.

By Monday, the buzz at Westville Country Club was electric. With a strong representation from Port Natal clubs in both men’s and women’s semi-finals, the event served as a powerful showcase of the depth of talent in the district.

The women’s semi-finals saw no shortage of top-tier action. In an all-Port Natal clash, Hillary’s  formidable foursome — Monique Wells, Linda Didlick, Debbie Joseph and Pam Kitchin — faced off against Umhlanga's spirited team of Leonie Koedyk, Maria Dreyer, Lisa Nicholas and Linda Ellis.

Meanwhile, Glenda Matthew’s Stella Park powerhouse combo — featuring Natalie Botha, Susan Smith and Hatton-Jones — locked horns with the 2024 silver medallists from Umhlali: Susan Nel, Cheryl Mostert, Jill Hackland and Yolande Victor.

In the end, it was Matthews and her crew who proved unstoppable, sailing past the Umhlali squad to meet Umhlanga in the final.

While the scoreboard tipped firmly in Stella Park’s favour in the final, it belied the intense skill and heart displayed by the Umhlanga team, who walked away with silver, but earned admiration for their grit and sportsmanship.

On the men’s front, although Port Natal had a visible presence in the semis, the standout performance came from Firwood’s first-time semi-finalists — Marc Rogers, Johan Joubert, Brett Burger and Mike Gouws — who won a final spot against a tenacious Howick team from the NIBA district: Craig Whitby, Allan Jack, P. Carter-Brown and Edwin Hohls.

But all eyes were on the defending champions from Westville BC — Paul White, Arnie Muscat, Troy Garland and Derick Funnell — who took on a seasoned Maritzburg Bowling Club quartet: Brad Robinson, Kevin Williams, Keith Harcombe and Calvin Hollis.

It was Maritzburg who ultimately triumphed, with Robinson guiding his team to a commanding win in the final against Firwood.

The result, though convincing, did not reflect the high quality of bowls delivered by the Firwood newcomers, who left the greens with heads held high and valuable experience gained.

Both Glenda Matthews and Brad Robinson, newly crowned 2025 KZN Fours champion skips, were quick to deflect praise onto their teammates, applauding the calm consistency and mutual support shown across the tournament.

Matthews noted how well the team “dovetailed” — covering for one another when a head went astray.

Robinson echoed that sentiment and gave special mention to club mate Brandon Nel, who stepped in seamlessly during an earlier round when Robinson was unavailable.

“He played a crucial role in getting us over the line,” said Robinson, who now sets his sights on representing South Africa at the prestigious Hong Kong Classic.

As the greens at Westville CC settle back into quiet, the echoes of hard-fought ends and shared triumphs will linger just a little longer.