GEORGE NEWS - Warm, sunny weather greeted the participants in the 2011 Ricoh Bowls Challenge. They all gathered at the George Bowling Club for the first leg in the series.

The atmosphere was crackling with electric anticipation as old foes greeted each other with tongue-in-cheek barbs and newcomers walked cautiously around eyeing the confidence of the seasoned warriors with envy and cautious optimism.
Many of the teams have emerged this time with bright new uniforms - suitable for the promise of early spring - adding colour that equals the palette of nature reflected in the club gardens and the backdrop of the mountains that overlook the city of George.

The first round was played under a random draw to allow all teams to establish their credentials at the start of this six week contest.

From the second round onwards teams will be drawn to play each other on strength versus strength basis as they compete to prove their worthiness to be called victors at the end of the series.

First teams to make their intentions known were Sotheby’s who snatched the early pole position with a clinical 21-3 win against Remax and top the log on 13 points.

Moving smoothly into second place were the bowlers of the Absa team who gave the Niflas B team a very hard time, winning 29-4 with 12 points to their credit.

At this early stage of the competition, they lead a further 4 teams who also gained wins which earned them 12 points, but who are separated by net points difference.
Two games gave the spectators much excitement on the day.

The first was between the teams of De Villiers and Moore and Smitties Number Plates. They peeled at 11 shots each with the former winning 9-7 in their very tight match.

The equally exciting contest was fought out between GT Collections and Mazars who peeled at 13 shots each with GTC emerging victors by the same margin of 9-7.

Both these games were a joy to behold with none of the teams willing to throw in the towel at any point.
After the games were done for the day the players and supporters were able to relax with a drink and a boerie roll or helping of curry and rice as they relived the shots they had played or had seen played.


The AON team look very impressive in their new Manchester United strip. From left are Hettie Denyscchen, Christo Kritzinger, John Mundell and Frikkie van Dyk.


Representing Ricoh are (from left) Francois de Muyne, Marilize Naudé, Bertus Conradie and Ricus Nortjé.