GEORGE NEWS - Eden District bowlers brought off a stunning double at the Warwick Financial Maturity Bowls South Africa Masters Open Singles Championships at Wingate CC, Pretoria before a packed bank of enthusiastic supporters.
Four of South Africa's best made it through after seven rounds to play the 21 shots to win the finals of the annual blue ribbon event and, while there are no upsets at this level, odds were the five-times men's and women's titleholders would triumph.
It was not to be.
George's two Protea players, Billy Radloff (Outeniqua Bowling Club) and Elma Davis (George Bowling Club), emerged SA champions.
Radloff faced Gerry Baker in the final while Davis faced the title holder, Colleen Webb Piketh.
Piketh (Johannesburg) and her Commonwealth Games teammate Elma Davis went toe-to-toe, with Davis triumphing 21-17, while SA No 1 men's player Gerry Baker (Johannesburg) also succumbed narrowly, 21-16, to Billie Radloff.
Said Bowls SA president, "A scintillating weekend at a great tournament. Bowls of the highest standard throughout all three championships and a barn-storming win from the champions.
South African bowls at its best. (Just) what was hoped for before we leave for the Commonwealth Games."
It was both winners' first Masters gold medal.
Classy Radloff, back from injury, showed superb touch against a true master player. For Baker, sole unbeaten player in seven qualifying matches and bronze medallist last year, it was a 7th silver medal.
He is off to Australia in April for the Games.
Davis will also represent Bowls SA in the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Piet Robbetse from Still Bay, another Eden player, secured bronze in the men's senior category.
Elma Davis (George Bowling Club)
Two other Eden players, Jenny Raymond (Leisure Isle Bowling Club) and André Bezuidenhout (Oudtshoorn Bowling Club), also competed in the national tournament, but did not make it through to the final stages.
Radloff was delighted to return to George with the trophy and title behind his name.
"We gave our best throughout the tournament, but not even in our wildest dreams did we expect to return to George with both titles", he said.
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