North vs South derby looming at Women’s Open
Western Province’s Open women’s side have booked their spot in the Perfect Delivery Inter-Districts in Port Elizabeth.
Western Province might’ve had a rocky 2023 competition but the class of 2024 has stamped their authority on matters.
Such has been their clinical display of bowls, that they have already booked their place in the finals of the 2024 event.
On Thursday, they dropped just half a point in their two matches to move well clear in the Red section as they swept aside Kingfisher and North West.
It has left Kingfisher in third with Mpumalanga in line for the bronze medal.
Boland could yet steal bronze with a good win in their final sectional match on Friday morning.
JBA have a good lead in the Blue section after their fourth successive outing with more than 10 points gained. A slow start is now something of the past as they moved to 69 points thanks to a 11 point haul against Eden.
On Friday, they face second placed Gauteng North knowing a victory will earn them at least a silver meda.
Gauteng North are second with 62.5 points.
JBA star Jacqui van Rensburg was proud of the fight shown by her teammates.
“It’s a long week and every match is difficult,” said Van Rensburg.
“We are under no illusions that tomorrow will be tough. But whatever happens, we know it’s been a good week and the spirit in the side remains high. We’ve all pulled together nicely and it’s going to be an exciting day of bowls at the highest level.
“That’s why we play the game. To play well and try put ourselves in the frame to win medals.”
A JBA vs WP final would be the neutrals’ dream given the traditional north/south rivalry that almost all sports in the country enjoy.
In the Men’s Open, it looks likely that Port Natal will do enough to move into the gold medal match although their momentum has slowed.
They have 67.5 points with tomorrow’s foes Southern Free State on 61.5. A big win for Eden over Limpopo coupled with a Port Natal win could see SFS lose out altogether which goes to show the fine margins at the event.
In the Blue section, JBA remain on top with 73 points while hosts Eastern Province have moved into second place after beating Western Province 11-1 in the final game of Thursday’s play.
EP are now second and just 2.5 points off the pace.
JBA face KZN Country on Friday morning and it won’t be easy given their resurgence in the past three fixtures.
The hosts play bottom of the table Ekhurleni and a big win could move them into gold medal contention. There’s all to play for in Port Elizabeth.
