Mixed fortunes for EP women bowlers

THE incessant rain which has hit other parts of the country descended on East London yesterday where the South African Inter-Districts B bowls tournament entered its third day.

But bowlers are a hardy lot and despite a blustery wind and intermittent morning showers, a high standard was again seen. Eastern Province women, who headed the leaderboard yesterday morning on 16 points, met with mixed fortunes, losing one (13-21) and winning one (21-13) against Northern Free State, who were two points behind.

EP men were on seven points yesterday morning but manager Colin Smith did not hold out much hope despite winning both games against Sedibeng, then sharing points with Johannesburg Bowls in the afternoon to earn a further seven points.

It was a good day for the Border B men's side who won both their morning and afternoon games.

There were good early wins for Curtis Smith (29-13) and Henry Sutherland (26-19) against Northern Free State. Sutherland followed that with a comprehensive 30-7 win over Southern Cape while Smith and his team had to fight hard before defending four shots on the last end to win 22-16.

In Bloemfontein, the format for the Open tournament was changed to three games of 15 ends with both Border teams winning their morning games against Southern Free State.

They pushed on in the second game to earn a further bonus point against Northern Free State.

In Pretoria, where the Seniors Inter-Districts is being staged, Border again met with mixed fortunes where men's skip Meyrick Kemp lost 20-17 while Preston Burger forced a peel (18-18) after being well behind.

In their later game against WP, Border were beaten with Burger losing 26-14 and Kemp 29-10. - Brian McLean