In the final the Northern Cape pair faced the hosts on their home field and just fell short in finals, securing for themselves second spot and the silver medal.
BOWLERS in the Frances Baard sub-districts have their sights set on making the cut at the next Bowls South Africa Mixed Pairs National championships following the inspiring silver medal achieved by locals David Paulse and René van Niekerk in Port Natal a fortnight ago.
The 2021 Bowls South Africa Mixed Pairs that took place between June 17-20 brought all 20 district winners from all over the country to compete for the title of national champions. The event was hosted at Stella Park Bowling club in Port Natal district.
Paulse and Van Niekerk won their section, beating some of the bigger districts such as Johannesburg Bowls Association and Bowls Gauteng North.
In the final the Northern Cape pair faced the hosts on their home field and just fell short in finals, securing for themselves second spot and the silver medal.
Bowls games co-ordinator Jacques Swanepoel said the win by Paulse and Van Niekerk of the Sol Plaatje West End Club has encouraged players in the other sub-districts to outdo them in the next national championships which will take place in February next year.
Swanepoel said the bowls tournaments, like all other sports events, had been hobbled by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Local games were curtailed while the annual national tournament which normally comes around in August each year has been cancelled.
He said: “All four sub-districts will want to dethrone David and René (locally) to have the opportunity to also compete for a national title.”
“Northern Cape Bowls and the whole province can be very proud of the team,” said Swanepoel.
