By Cheryl Waterman
AS the penultimate games of the men’s and women’s lawn bowls leagues concluded last weekend, battles were intense.
Teams across the divisions fought fiercely for crucial points, either to secure their place at the top of the standings or to stave off the threat of relegation.
With the final round of matches looming, the stage is set for an exhilarating conclusion to the season, particularly in the first and second divisions, where the battles for promotion and survival are coming down to the wire.
In the men’s first division, Westville have solidified their dominance, gaining an impressive 15 points from their match against Wentworth.
This victory has placed them firmly at the top of the log, with a commanding 19-point lead over second-placed Parkhill.
With such a substantial lead, Westville are now in an unassailable position to claim the Homenet Cup, regardless of the outcomes in the final round.
However, the battle for second place is far from settled. Parkhill’s men made a dramatic leap from fifth to second place after securing a crucial win, placing them just one point ahead of Hillary.
This weekend, all eyes will be on the showdown between Westville and Hillary, as well as Parkhill’s away match against Umhlali.
Stella Park, currently 3.5 points behind Parkhill, will also be in the mix as they host Wentworth.
The results of these matches will determine which team finishes as runner-up, with all three clubs – Parkhill, Hillary and Stella Park – having a chance at claiming second place.
Unfortunately, the 2023 promotees, Northlands and Wentworth, have found the competition in the first division unforgiving.
Both clubs now face relegation to the second division for the 2025 season, having struggled to keep pace in the top division.
In the second division, Umhlanga and Amanzimtoti have emerged as the frontrunners for promotion to the first division.
Umhlanga lead the log with 74 points, with Amanzimtoti in second spot with 69.5 points. Third-placed Queensburgh, trailing Amanzimtoti by 16.5 points, will face a tough challenge as they host Amanzimtoti this weekend.
In the women’s first division, Amanzimtoti continue to assert their dominance, maintaining their top position after earning 10 points in a crucial match against second-placed Hillary.
As a result, Hillary have slipped to third place, with Stella Park now occupying the second spot after a full 12-point victory over Bluff.
Amanzimtoti and Stella Park will be aiming for maximum points in their final matches against Umhlali and Hillcrest, respectively, to solidify their positions.
Meanwhile, Bluff, already 12 points behind Hillcrest, will face relegation to the second division for the 2025 season.
The most intense competition, however, is in the women’s second division, where only five points separate the top five teams.
Northlands currently hold a narrow half-point lead over Mount Edgecombe, with the final matches poised to determine which team earns promotion.
Northlands will face fourth-placed Amanzimtoti, while Mount Edgecombe take on third-placed Westville in what promises to be a fierce contest.
With only one team gaining promotion in the women’s leagues, every point will be fiercely contested.