Roller-coaster weather at Gem

SPORT NEWS - From 20 to 22 October, 40 teams (160 bowlers) competed in the Gem of the Karoo Classic on the greens of the Graaff-Reinet Bowling Club.

Eight rounds of 16-end games were played during the three days in changeable weather conditions.

Friday was a typical hot Karoo summer day; Saturday turned out to be windy with intermittent rain, while Sunday started out chilly and turned into a balmy day - after the competition had come to an end.

On day one, the first game was played to establish log positions and shot profit/loss in the first game wasn't counted in the overall result.

After three games on day one, there were four teams with six game points and one team with five points - two wins and one peel. Six shots separated the top four sides- Ulrich Steynberg, Wayne Ridden, Arthur Langley and Christo Coetzer.

At the end of day two there remained only one undefeated team - that of Clive Bartlett on 11 game points, closely followed by James O' Kennedy on 10 + 38, Arthur Langley on 10 + 36 and Wayne Ridden on 10 + 34.

With everything to play for on the final day, there were at least 14 teams in with an outside chance of winning the Classic.

The title could only go to one side and James O' Kennedy, with his teammates Peter Alexander, Ernie Boy and Wessel Potgieter from East London, held their nerve to claim first prize on 14 game points and + 46 shots.

Second place went to Japie Combrink on 13 + 43, while Arthur Langley finished third on 12 + 38.

Everybody had a great time and a big shout-out must go to everyone who contributed to another successful Gem of the Karoo Classic.

The players in anticipation, who is the winner?