Bowls and fellowship the winners

KAROO BOWLS NEWS - A message posted by Midlands committee member, Cedric Taylor, on their chat group after this weekend's Midlands Open Singles, aptly sums up the spirit of the event.

Taylor, the winner of the Men's Senior Singles section, wrote: "Bowls and fellowship were the winners this weekend. To all the winners well done. But the fact that we do not let Covid get in our way, is the true winner for this and future tournaments in our area."

Once again, players were subjected to playing in very hot and humid conditions. But all managed to beat the heat and bowls of a high standard was played. Hats off to all the players, and the Markers, who stood for hours - many themselves players in the tournament.

The Midlands Open Singles, Men's and Ladies', took place in Middelburg while the the Midlands Veterans (Senior) Singles, Men's and Ladies, took place at two different venues: the Men's Section at the Cradock Bowling Club and the Ladies' Section at the Graaff-Reinet Bowling Club.

The Midlands Novices Sections, both Men's and Ladies, took place at the Cradock Bowling Club.

The sections were divided between three different Midlands district clubs to enable the respective Club Executives to abide by all Covid-19 regulations as set out by SA Bowls/EP Bowls.

The next bowling event will be the Midlands Men's and Ladies' Pairs in Middelburg on 20 and 21 February.

The captions of the numbered photographs are as follows:

1. Charlotte Kohl (Middelburg Club) left, Gold, receiving the Midlands Open Ladies Singles Shield from Wally Koetaan, President of Midlands. The runner-up was Helen Louw (Middelburg Club) and third was Nikki Thomson (Middelburg Club).

2. Eric Louw (Middelburg Club), left, winner of the Midlands Open Men's Singles, receiving the shield from Midlands President and runner-up Wally Koetaan (Graaff-Reinet and Jansenville Clubs), while Rassie Erasmus (Cradock Club) took bronze.

3. Winner of Midlands Ladies Senior (Veterans) Singles Shield, Riana du Toit (Graaff-Reinet Club), left, receiving the shield from Charlene Colyn, Graaff-Reinet BC committee member. The runner-up was Elna de Klerk (Graaff-Reinet Club) and in third place was Alida Zwiegers (Middelburg Club).

4. Winner of Midlands Men's Senior (Veterans) Singles Shield, Cedric Taylor (Somerset East Club), right, receiving the shield from Tienie Prinsloo, Vice President of Midlands. The runner-up was Tienie Prinsloo (Cradock Club) and third was Kobus Kersop (Cradock Club).

5. Winner of Midlands Novices Singles, Ladies, Aloma de Ridder (Somerset East Club), right, receiving the shield from Tienie Prinsloo, Vice President of Midlands. The runner-up was Jenny van der Vyver (Somerset East Club) and Magda Kemp (Somerset East Club) was third.

6. Winner of Midlands Men's Novices, Shawn West (Graaff-Reinet Club), left, receiving the shield from Tienie Prinsloo, Vice President of Midlands.