Northern Cape Bowls first claimed the title back in 2018, when current team members Charles Peter Mathewson and Driaan van Niekerk were part of the triumphant squad.
The Northern Cape flexed its sporting muscle again this past long weekend when the Province’s Under-30 Bowls team brushed aside some stiff competition on their way to claiming their second Bowls South Africa Under-30 Inter-Districts Championship title.
Northern Cape Bowls first claimed the title back in 2018, when current team members Charles Peter Mathewson and Driaan van Niekerk were part of the triumphant squad.
It was no easy feat. Youthful bowls talent and determination was on display at the Klerksdorp Bowling Club from September 23 to 26 for the much-anticipated tournament. The event, hosted by the North West Bowls, saw 40 teams compete fiercely in a gritty display of skill and sportsmanship.
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Each participating district in South Africa was well represented, with some sending as many as four teams to the competition. Remarkably, the Northern Cape entered two teams this year, breaking from their past tradition of sending just one.
The decision to expand their representation paid dividends in an action-packed tournament that showcased the entire nation’s bowling talent.
From Saturday through Monday, the bowlers engaged in intense competition, playing a total of three games per day against the nine other teams in their respective sections. This challenging format allowed teams to test their mettle against a variety of opponents and styles, setting the stage for thrilling showdowns throughout the competition.
Amidst a strong field that included formidable teams like Western Province, North West, and Eastern Province, The NC team stood tall in their section – on their way to making history.
Driaan van Niekerk, a key figure in the team’s triumph, almost sounded surprised when speaking about the team’s form during the competition. “We managed to top our section with some strong teams like Western Province, North West, and Eastern Province in our section,” he told the DFA.
Once the pools had been decided it was time for the semi-finals where the Northern Cape’s emerging stars faced off against a determined Namibian team. The NC players overcame the odds to secure their place in the championship final where they would face off against Port Natal, a team that had proven their prowess throughout the tournament.
As things turned out, the final match proved to be an epic battle, with the NC Under-30s team starting off slowly. The Port Natal team built up a lead early on, threatening to pull away and put the contest beyond the Northern Cape.
However, the Northern Cape were not at the Inder-Districts to just make up the numbers. The NC players showcased remarkable resilience and heart, mounting a breathtaking comeback to reel in their opponents and secure a brilliant victory.
Van Niekerk said that they had to dig deep to pull off the win. “We started off very slow in the final and were down by quite a few shots early on,” he told the DFA. “We then started pulling it back slowly, and the guys showed massive fight and heart to pull it through at the end,” he added.
With this victory, the Northern Cape’s Under-30s team claimed their second Under-30 Inter-Districts title to add to their 2018 win.
The team’s triumphant journey in 2023 will undoubtedly solidify their place in the history of South African bowls and inspire aspiring young bowlers across the nation.
It was evident that this year’s competition had not only showcased exceptional talent but had also nurtured the spirit of camaraderie and competition among South Africa’s emerging bowlers.
The future of South African bowls looks promising, and this event was a testament to the dedication and passion of the young athletes who represent their districts with pride.
