KSD Bowls season off to a thrilling start

Danie van der Lith|Published 4 months ago

Seen are defending champions Driaan van Niekerk and Jobo de Villiers who retained their title, defeating Marco Geel and JP Marais in a gripping final match. Picture: Supplied

The 2024/25 bowls season got under way in fine fashion this past weekend when the Kimberley Sub-District (KSD) held their much-anticipated pairs competition.

With impressive performances across the board, it is obvious that players have raised the stakes for the season ahead, setting their sights on the Northern Cape Bowls (NCB) Pairs Championship, which will be hosted in Kimberley next week.

In the women’s division, the KSD Pairs title was claimed by the formidable duo of Annelie Mathewson and Rene van Niekerk, who battled their way to victory in the finals against worthy competitors Adi Koekemoer and Susan Venter. Koekemoer and Venter gave a commendable performance, earning widespread applause for their competitive spirit and skill.

Helena Jansen and Nadine Dames finished third, while Mari Swart and Jeanne Vertue took fourth. Louisa Williams and Lizzette Bosman secured fifth place, thereby qualifying for the upcoming NCB Pairs Championship.

The men’s competition saw defending champions Driaan van Niekerk and Jobo de Villiers retain their title, defeating Marco Geel and JP Marais in a gripping final. The intense action was briefly interrupted by hail and thunderstorms, but the determined bowlers eventually resumed play, undeterred by the weather.

Rising young stars Keegan Minopetros and Kieran Kelly clinched third place after a close match against Geel and Marais, drawing much excitement from fans eager to see these promising talents at next week’s NCB Pairs.

Rising young stars Keegan Minopetros (right) and Kieran Kelly clinched third place after a close match against Geel and Marais, drawing much excitement from fans eager to see these promising talents at next week’s NCB Pairs. Picture: Supplied

Ananias Mohale and Adriaan du Plessis came in fourth place. Picture: Supplied

Ananias Mohale and Adriaan du Plessis rounded out the top four, securing their spots in the upcoming championship.

A total of seven men’s and five women’s teams from KSD have qualified for the NCB Pairs Championship, which will see Kimberley’s best competing against top talent from across the province.

Besides the top four pairs in the men’s tournament, CP Mathewson and David Paulse earned a fifth-place finish, while Barry Minopetros and Clint Kneen took sixth. Lappies and Charl Labuschagne complete the contingent, promising a strong showing for KSD at the provincial level.

As KSD bowlers gear up for the NCB Pairs Championship, both players and fans are eager to see how the local talent will fare in the next stage of competition. But one thing is certain, this past weekend’s season opener has set a thrilling tone for what promises to be an exciting season of competitive bowls in Kimberley.