adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere in WINDHOEK, Namibia
IT was a good start for the Zimbabwe men’s team when they won all their games here at the start of the Africa States Bowls tournament. The Zimbabwe Trips team of Tom Craven, Clive Robertson and Pierre De Villiers beat Botswana’s Remmy Kebapetse, Dicks Senna and John Gaborutwe 22-11 in their first match of the competition at the Eros Club.
The Zambians suffered an 18-12 defeat at the hands of Kenya while Malawi, who had been absent from the international scene for seven years, also found the going tough as they were beaten 8-25 by Namibia.
Zimbabwe’s Pairs team also enjoyed a flying start as they battled their way to a 22-11 victory over Malawi.
The Malawians also lost 8-31 to the Zimbabweans.
Mike Eaton, the Zimbabwe Club Champion, and Highlands Sports Club champion Roy Garden flew the national flag in the Pairs.
Bowls Zimbabwe president, Malcolm Evans, who is also the team manager, said this was just the start his side needed.
“This is a very good start for Zimbabwe, they really bowled well and their hard work paid. I am happy with both the Trips and Pairs performance,” said Eaton.
“Tomorrow (today), we are going to play South Africa and Namibia and both teams are good and so we are going to try and give it our best shot.”
Namibia’s skip Graham Snyman, who is playing the Trips and Fours for his country, said they were happy to get their campaign underway with a win over Botswana whom they hadn’t beaten in three years.
“For the past three years we have never beaten Botswana but this time we did it, it’s really great but we are going to have tough match against Zimbabwe,” said Snyman.
“We will do our best but Zimbabwe have a better side.”
All the women’s sides are expected to get their tournaments underway today.
Online Reporter