Firwood fires up the PBA in KZN

THE evening of Friday, November 14 at Firwood Bowling Club brought colour, excitement and a sense of occasion as the club proudly hosted the festive launch of the inaugural Fairtree Firwood Classic tournament in KwaZulu-Natal.

- CHERYL WATERMAN

Players, supporters and officials gathered for an evening that blended celebration with purpose. The event also marked the introduction of Samm and Roger Boulle's GRIPPIN' STUFF, a new range of organic performance products now being distributed internationally. In a highlight announcement, well-known Protea bowler Wayne Roberts was named the brand's official ambassador.

Saturday's action shifted to the greens at Firwood, Hillary and Stella Park Bowling Clubs, where competitors tackled a demanding format: two sets of nine ends, with a three-end tiebreaker should the sets be drawn. Bowlers played three round-robin games, producing tight games and fierce tactical play. By late afternoon, section leaders advanced to the knockout stage, where they battled for places among the competition's top eight quarter-finalists.