A season of triumph and tight battles
BOWLS
Westville BC’s men celebrate a second 1st division win - Troy Garland, Paul White, Richard Hendicott, Rodney Ward, Matthew Mayo, Jarred Bauristhene, Arnold Muscat, Warren Kidd, Derrick Funnell, Russell Funnell, Keegan Bauristhene and Tyrone Leemans. | Supplied
Image: Supplied
The 2025 league ended on a high note for the men of the Westville Bowling Club ‘A’ side and the ladies of the Amanzimtoti ‘A’ side, as both secured back-to-back titles in the PNB first divisions. Their successes capped a season that offered no easy rides, with strong opposition snapping at the leader’s heels right until the final round.
Westville BC held top spot throughout the league, but Parkhill BC remained a constant threat. Heading into the last round, Westville were only 3,5 points clear of their Durban North rivals, and with 17 points up for grabs, the title was still wide open.
Both clubs enjoyed home fixtures, and while Westville faced Stella Park and collected 10,5 points, the real cheer from Westville’s men came when news spread that Hillcrest had held Parkhill, restricting them to just 5 points.
Amanzimtoti ladies’ after their back-to-back 1st division title – Front – Sarie Bisset, Jackie Holdrick, Julie Sutherland and Susan Nel. Back – Doreen Salmond, Hilary Lindsay and Lesley Levy. | Supplied
Image: Supplied
Before the decisive game, Westville BC President, Matthew Mayo, encouraged his members, “Thank you to the selectors for creating teams that not only achieved good results but, more importantly, played with pride, a sense of fun and a great team spirit. Enjoy the last game - let’s celebrate a great year regardless of the outcome!”
The battle for promotion to the men’s first division was just as tense, with only 2,5 points separating Westville CC and Umhlanga BC after six rounds. With Durban BC hovering dangerously in between, every shot counted.
Westville CC, however, showed their steel, finishing four points clear of Umhlanga to clinch the coveted promotion spot.
Umhlanga ladies progress to 1st division - Jean Blumeris, Delia Morris, Monique Lott, Ina Beavon, Leonie Koedyk, Maria Dreyer, Lisa Nicholas and Linda Ellis. | Supplied
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In the women’s first division, Amanzimtoti’s ‘A’ team proved equally determined. Skip Susan Nel reflected:
“We had a slow start but soon found our rhythm. Our focus was simply to win as many games and points as possible. In the final game, we concentrated on our own play, ignoring the decisive battle between Mount Edgecombe and Hillary.
"Sarie Bisset’s team securing the vital two bonus points on the last end made the difference. We thoroughly enjoyed the league; it was a test against strong opposition.”
Perhaps the fiercest contest of all unfolded in the women’s second division. Heading into the final weekend, the log read: Westville CC (33,5), Collegians (33,5), Umhlanga (31,5) and Amanzimtoti ‘B’ (27,5). Everything hinged on those last fixtures.
Exciting times ahead in 1st division for Westville CC - Back Row - David Wood, Alan Durose, Don Oliphant, Keith Young, David Crouch, Antoon Claasen, Dennis Daniels and Charles Levy. Kneeling - Dylan Mathews, Wesley Milfull and Lindsay North. | Supplied
Image: Supplied
Umhlanga rose to the occasion, storming to 11 out of 12 points against Collegians to secure promotion to first division for 2026. Meanwhile, Amanzimtoti produced their best of the season, taking 10 points off Westville CC to leap from fourth place into a remarkable second.
As the dust settled, the promotions across the men’s and women’s leagues told their own stories of perseverance and progress. In the men’s divisions new opportunities await as Collegians ‘A’ climb to second division, Westville BC ‘B’ to third, Collegians ‘B’ to fourth, Westville CC ‘C’ to fifth, Westville BC ‘E’ to sixth, and Parkhill ‘C’ to seventh.
The women’s leagues promise fresh rivalries too, with Parkhill stepping into second division, La Domaine into third, Hillcrest ‘C’ into fourth, Durban into fifth and Chatsworth into sixth.