Zim Bowling team wins bronze

From Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere in Windhoek, Namibia
ZIMBABWE Men’s Bowling team won a bronze medal after accumulating 15 points at the Africa States Bowls tournament here.
The Zimbabweans got their victory in Pairs through Mike Eaton and Roy Garden and the Trips team also grabbed a bronze medal.
South Africa took the first places in both the Pairs and the Trips with 24 points and won gold while hosts Namibia settled for the second place with 18 points and scooped silver.

Bowls Zimbabwe president/team manager Malcolm Evans said he was proud of his team’s efforts in a “tough tournament’’.
“I am very happy with the team, both the Pairs and the Trips did a very good job. The games were tough.

“We won bronze in both the Trips and the Pairs and that means that we are also going to grab the overall bronze awards in Trips and Pairs,” said Evans.

Besides not getting a medal, Botswana men’s team of fours and Trips were over the moon after their fine performance when they beat Kenya.
Botswana Pairs team of Kabo Gabotloeloe and Timothy Morton beat Kenya 15-14. Their Trips team also celebrated victory when they won 17-16 against Kenya. The men’s teams are now expected to start playing the Fours and Single today.

In the women’s Pairs, Jane Rigby and Mel James, who are representing Zimbabwe, are currently on top of the log together with South Africa’s Louise Larkin and Bronwyn Webber.

Both South Africa and Zimbabwe won all their matches and got 8 points setting up a tough duel in the greens today when they play each other for the gold medal.

On their way to glory, Zimbabwe beat Namibia 21-11 before defeating Zambia 25-18 in an exciting and competitive match.
In another match, Botswana’s pair of Tirelo Buckley and Pauline Lekone put their best show when they beat Kenya 26-12.
Zimbabwe’s Mel James said the greens were playing so well although it was a tough match.

“The greens were playing so well, the games were very tough but my skipper Rigby was good and encouraging. This was my first time competing at such an event and am glad that I got all the support and Trish Davies our manager was very encouraging.

“The two-day practice we had here as a team when we arrived was helpful, we are now looking forward to our match against South Africa where we will either get gold or silver,” said James.