South African men win first bowls gold

SOUTH Africa won the first two gold medals at the African States Bowls Tournament yesterday when they finished first in both the Men’s Pairs and Trips competitions. South Africa comfortably beat Namibia in both categories yesterday afternoon.

In the Men’s Pairs competition, the South African pair of Bobby Donnelly and Rudi Jacobs beat Namibia’s Will Esterhuizen and Jean Viljoen 20-12 to finish their tournament unbeaten and win the gold medal with 12 points.

Namibia finished on 10 points to win the silver medal, while Zimbabwe won the bronze medal after finishing third on seven points.

In the Men’s Trips competition, the South African team of Gideon Vermeulen, Hertzog Meiring and Stuart Milligan beat their Namibian counterparts, Graham Snyman, Ewald Vermeulen and Axel Krahenbuhl 22-12 to win the gold medal.

They were also unbeaten to finish on top with 12 points, while Namibia won silver on eight points and a 64 shot difference, and Zimbabwe bronze with eight points and a 35 shot difference.

In the women’s competition, South Africa have built up a comfortable lead in the Trips competition, but Zimbabwe lead them by shot difference in the Pairs competition.

In the Women’s Pairs competition, South Africa beat Botswana 27-13 and Namibia 23-10, and are now unbeaten after four matches.

Zimbabwe are, however, also unbeaten after four matches and lead the log on shot difference.

In the Women’s Trips competition, South Africa beat Botswana 29-8 and Namibia 31-6 to remain top of the log on eight points.

Namibia, who picked up their first win in the Trips competition when they beat Zimbabwe 26-8 yesterday morning, are last on the log on two points.

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