Dramatic day has BSA Masters title up for grabs

Wayne Rittmuller and Wayne Roberts top their sections but there’s still a game to play at Wingate Park.

In one of the most dramatic days in BSA Masters history the destination of the titles of the best singles players in South Africa remains a mystery.

A mystery but for one player - Esme Haley. The veteran JBA player enjoyed yet another stunning day at Wingate Park Country Club to storm into the final on Sunday with a game still to be played.

But that is where the certainty ended on a thrilling day of play on Saturday where players perfect records tumbled and others who struggled on the opening day came through unbeaten.

And that is exactly the nature of the tournament where the best players from around the country line up to compete against each other.

In the Open Women’s division, it is Colleen Piketh and Sega Mokoto battling out to claim bronze with Haley already having secured top spot.

In section 2, Proteas star Esme Kruger was looking like she would be the one to book a spot in the final before losing Boland’s Annelie de Jager, who has now won two in a row after losing her opening four games.

The loss of Kruger coupled with Eastern Province star Dezi Rosenblatt’s victory in the final session over Natalie Botha means that is now in Rosenblatt’s hands. She will play Protea teammate Nici Neal in the last game of sectional play on Sunday morning. A loss though could allow Kruger to sneak past. her which goes to show the stakes on hand at this championship.

The Open Men’s sections are even more uncertain.

In section 1, Wayne Rittmuller has taken a grip on the section moving a point ahead of Jason Evans, the four-time champion. But Rittmuller will need to fend off the threat of Wilson Malobolo, himself needing a win to move into bronze medal contention.

Malobolo looked like his challenge was over before competing the comeback in the dark. Finishing closer to 7pm, he mustered a magnificent fightback to beat Shaun Thomas 21-20 despite trailing for the entire contest until his last bowl.

Earlier, Malobolo dented Evans’ bid for yet another title at Wingate Park. The Proteas No 1 managed to win his final two games of the day to lurk in second place. He will now play the defending champion Niksa Benguric knowing that a win might just see him in the gold medal match after all.

Eden legend Billy Radloff was the player of the day in that group as he beat Benguric and Malobolo en route to a 3/3 after starting the day on zero points.

In section 2 it is just as cloudy when it comes to predicting who might play for gold and who might settle for the bronze.

Gerry Baker’s perfect record was dented with three losses including the final session loss to Matthew Phiri, the runner-up from last year who went on a three game winning run at Wingate Park to bounce back from his poor opening day’s work.

Fellow left-hander Bradley Robinson, who showed all his class in the morning win over Baker, then lost to Wayne Roberts in an all-Proteas encounter.

The win lifted Roberts into first place ahead of Robinson thanks to shot aggregate. Roberts started with two losses in a row before going on a dream run to edge closer to the final.

He must beat Phiri and hope Robinson doesn’t move ahead on shots if he goes on to beat defending SA Nationals Singles champion Paul White.

White beat Brendan Ferns, a recent Proteas capped bowler, in some fine style as he romped to a 21-8 win.

That defeat left Ferns’ aggregate in tatters as he slumped into third spot. He plays JBA stalwart Victor Siphalin the final game of sectional play hoping for a big win and a loss from those above him.

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