Latest news with #PortNatalBowls
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Firwood BC hits the sweet spot with festive fun
Christmas in July winners Duncan Buckthorpe, Lorinne Hawkins and Kim Hawkins with club President Alex Ferguson. | SUpplied Image: Supplied IN a sporting world constantly chasing youth and energy, lawn bowls has often been overlooked—labelled as a pastime for retirees. But Firwood Bowling Club in Queensburgh is changing that narrative in all the right ways. Led by the forward-thinking Alta Joubert, the chief steward and events coordinator, Firwood is proving that bowls can be social, competitive and a whole lot of fun. With clubs worldwide struggling to grow and retain membership, Firwood's strategy is refreshingly simple: make time at the club memorable. Their inaugural Christmas in July tournament did just that. The greens were full well ahead of the entry deadline, a sign of the club's growing appeal. Big names from Port Natal Bowls turned up, ready to battle for bragging rights and generous prizes. Second placed Brett Fields, Marc Rogers and Warren v.d. Sloot with Club President Alex Ferguson. | Supplied Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The atmosphere was festive, thanks to the hard work of the committee and support from members and sponsors. Roger and Samm Boulle donated a popular Aero and Grippo hamper, won by a delighted John Connellan. Arnold Muscat kept the crowd buzzing with a slick team auction, while Kyle Venter and Chris Strover live-streamed the action. A cheeky R50 one-bowl challenge added an extra competitive twist, with the winner walking away with the pot. When the toucher marks settled, Duncan Buckthorpe and Kim and Lorinne Hawkins from Queensburgh BC walked away R6000 richer, proving that local talent runs deep. Hillary's Marc Rogers, Brett Burger and Warren van der Sloot grabbed second, while Craig Worst and his Hillcrest lads clinched third place. As Alta Joubert puts it, Firwood is 'A Club with a Vision'—and clearly, that vision includes breaking moulds, building community and showcasing that bowls can be as much about laughter as it is about line and length. A happy John Connellan is presented with the Aero and Grippo hamper by Samm Cooper-Boulle. | Supplied Image: Supplied Judging by the success of this event, that vision is very much on course. Firwood has shown what's possible when passion and community come together. Other clubs would do well to take a page from their playbook. While the Christmas tinsel may be packed away, the league action remains red hot. In the men's first division, Westville BC retained their lead by squeezing out 22,5 of a possible 34 points against Parkhill and Northlands. But Parkhill weren't going to be left behind—after a fruitful weekend clash with Westville and Amanzimtoti, they banked 23,5 points, leapfrogging Umhlali CC and trailing the log leaders by a mere 1,5 points. With another double-header ahead more drama is on offer, Westville hits the road twice to take on Hillary and Hillcrest, while Parkhill will travel to Umhlali and then host Stella Park on Sunday. In a skins race like this, every end counts. In the women's A division, debutants Mount Edgecombe stole the spotlight by beating early leaders Stella Park 10–2, jumping to the top of the log. Hillary's win over Umhlali lifted them to second, while Stella Park dropped to fourth. This week sees the ladies travel to Umhlali CC where Mount Edgecombe face Hillcrest and Hillary take on Stella Park in what could be a pivotal round.
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Provincial pairs champions crowned amid challenging conditions
While thousands cheered on Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn as they powered from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in their 2025 Comrades Marathon victories, another group of determined athletes faced their own marathon – this one on greens in the Kingfisher Bowling Association. Last Sunday marked the conclusion of sectional play and the beginning of playoffs in the KZN Men's and Women's Pairs Bowling Championship, with 190 pairs teams representing districts from across KwaZulu-Natal. Hosted by the Kingfisher Bowling Association, the event coincided with turbulent weather conditions as a cut-off low weather system disrupted much of the province — echoing the chaos of the 2024 KZN Singles finals when storms similarly interrupted play. Despite the adverse conditions, the championship pressed on with spirited competition. In the men's final, the host club's pair Clinton Knott and Louw Vermeulen faced off against Wayne Roberts and Roger Boulle of Port Natal Bowls (Aero Bowls South Africa). The match began competitively; with the PNB pair taking an early 6–3 lead after four ends. From there, Roberts and Boulle dominated, adding 16 shots over the next 12 ends while Knott and Vermeulen managed only three. After 16 of the scheduled 18 ends, with the score well in hand, the Kingfisher team conceded the match, awarding Roberts and Boulle the 2025 men's title. Ken Fann and Lance Mansfield from Westville Bowling Club picked up a playoff win to secure the bronze medal.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Port Natal Bowls bowlers fly the flag in Gqeberha
Marc Rogers Hillary's Marc Rogers in his quest for an Open Singles medal. Photo: SUPPLIED Image: SUPPLIED Cheryl Waterman The Bowls South Africa Men's Nationals are well underway in Gqeberha, and after intense sectional play and opening knockout rounds in the pairs, open singles and veteran singles, the Port Natal Bowls contingent are delivering impressive results and proving their mettle against the best bowlers in the country. Of the 17 PNB pairs entries, two teams are still in contention for national honours. Wayne Roberts and John Peacock from Hillcrest Bowling Club have stormed through to the last 16. Their PNB counterparts, Ruuan Victor and Keegan Bauristhene (entered as Amanzimtoti BC), face a must-win clash against Mike Underwood and Logan Subramony of Comrades BC (Border Bowls). Should Victor and Bauristhene prevail, they'll be set up for a PNB showdown against Roberts and Peacock on Friday in a battle to progress to the quarter-final. In the open singles, 14 PNB bowlers endured a gruelling day of sectional matches and early playoff rounds this past Monday. Westville Bowling Club will be particularly proud of their bowlers, with Paul White – the 2023 national singles champion and 2024 runner-up – alongside Matthew Mayo and Dion Audie, all advancing. Marc Rogers from Hillary BC also remains in contention, rounding off a strong showing from the district. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Roger Boulle and Arnold Muscat Westville's Roger Boulle and Arnold Muscat (with PNB President Steve Kelf) are still in the hunt for Veteran Singles silverware. Photo: SUPPLIED Image: SUPPLIED In the veteran singles, PNB entered 13 hopefuls, with Westville BC bowlers once again shining. Roger Boulle, Lionel van Niekerk, Arnold Muscat and Lance Mansfield will join Hennie Heyns from Mount Edgecombe CC as they push forward in pursuit of national titles. Their continued success is a testament to the depth of experience and quality within the district's veteran ranks. The Bowls South Africa Nationals are not only a showcase of talent, but also a test of endurance, focus and resilience. PNB can be justifiably proud of its bowlers' performances and the strong representation still in the hunt for silverware. Paul White Westville BC's Paul White looking for a third consecutive National Singles medal. Photo: SUPPLIED Image: SUPPLIED Back on local greens, there's no shortage of action this weekend. Westville Country Club will host the PNB Open and Veteran Ladies Singles playoffs on Saturday, with the semis and finals set for Sunday. Twenty-five women will vie for the Open Singles title, with play starting at 8.30am on Saturday, followed by the last 16 at 11am, and the final rounds on Sunday. The remaining 15 Veteran ladies will play for a place in the quarter-final on Saturday morning, and the four semi-finalists will return on Sunday morning.
