Resilience and skill: How the 2025 Port Natal Bowls champions weathered the storm

Cheryl Waterman

Originally scheduled for March 1, the 2025 Port Natal Men’s and Women’s Trips semi-finals and finals were thrown a curveball when heavy rains flooded the greens.

But nothing could dampen the competitive spirit of the bowlers or the anticipation of their supporters.

Rescheduled and played on Saturday April 5, Westville Country Club came alive as a sea of spectators lined the banks, witnessing a day of captivating clashes and high-stakes drama that showcased the very best of bowls in the district.

The ladies final was the culmination of a day already brimming with drama.

Hillary’s Bridget White, Talia Russon and Aileen Ramsden entered the final with resolute confidence after two nail-biting victories in their quarter and semi-finals, while the Umhlanga side – Maria Dreyer, Lisa Nicholas and Linda Ellis – had cruised through their semi-final and were equally determined to take home the silverware.

From the outset, the Hillary trio asserted themselves, establishing an early lead and dictating the pace.

Umhlanga mounted a determined comeback from the 11th to the 13th ends, narrowing the gap to just four shots and giving their supporters a flicker of hope.

But the Hillary ladies remained composed, weathering the pressure with clinical precision.

The scoreboard after the 18th end reflected their dominance and determination – champion status had been sealed.

Speaking after the match, White credited their preparation and chemistry for the win.

“The three of us played together in the 2024 PNB Trips, and since then, we’ve really worked on understanding how to bring out the best in each other,” she said.

Ramsden and Russon were quick to echo that sentiment, praising their skip’s leadership in the final: “When we were not in the head, Bridget always found a way through – her shot selection under pressure was spot-on.”

Similarly, the men’s semi-finals delivered contrasting paths to the final.

Hillary’s Wade Marshall, Marc Rogers and Warren van der Sloot secured their place with a commanding performance, prompting Parkhill’s Neil Tovey, Chris Coetzer and Shaun Barlow to concede after 16 ends.

In stark contrast, the other semi was a tense battle between Westville CC’s Antoon Claasen, Lindsay North and Hennie ‘Muis’ Claasen, and Parkhill’s Louis Tolmay, Hendrik Liebenberg and Gavin Conlon.

Parkhill led from the fifth to the 16th end, but Westville edged ahead by one in the 17th end, only for Parkhill to draw level at 18 ends.

An extra end was required, and Westville claimed the single they needed to seal their place in the final.

In the championship decider, Westville wasted no time asserting dominance.

With disciplined decisions and pinpoint execution, Claasen’s trio surged ahead and wrapped up the title in just 16 ends – crowning themselves the 2025 Port Natal Men’s Trips champions.

Claasen credited communication and camaraderie for Westville CC’s success, highlighting his synergy with North and praising Muis Claasen’s consistency and reliability as a lead throughout the tournament.

Both deserved victories were for teams that had shown not just skill, but resilience, grit and undeniable team spirit throughout the tournament.