Bitou Easter games a roaring success

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PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Hundreds of sports enthusiasts and spectators participated in the Bitou Mayoral Easter Games at the weekend, making it one of the most successful sports gatherings in the municipality in recent years.

The games, which form part of new mayor Claude Terblanche's 100-day plan for the municipality, was organised by the Bitou sports council.

Terblanche said the games placed a spotlight on the youth of Bitou with well-contested matches from various sporting codes, ranging from soccer to rugby, netball, boxing and the Kwano marathon.

The spectacle was attended by Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Recreation Nocawa Mafu who, in a surprise visit, joined in the festivities at the New Horizons sports grounds on Monday 1 April to celebrate the final day with Terblanche and hundreds of onlookers.

Mafu and Terblanche celebrated together to the delight of the singing and dancing crowd that gathered in New Horizons for the occasion.

PHOTO GALLERY: Bitou Mayoral Easter Games over Easter weekend

The games kicked off in Kwanokuthula on Thursday 21 March with soccer, netball and pool delivering their opening rounds.

Bitou sports council secretary Adam van Rhyner said due the large number of clubs participating in the soccer competition, a round robin was held before Easter Friday, with games played in Kwanokuthula and New Horizon.

Last year's champions, Oriented Birds (OB) from Kwanokuthula downed the energetic Pubs FC from Qolweni to win the soccer final with a score of 4-0. OB play in the Western Cape ABC Motsepe League.

The top rugby final of Monday saw Jaguars from the Crags and Sibanya Kings from Qolweni battle it out on a dry, dusty New Horizons field, delivering muscle rugby. The Jaguars, who play in the higher premier league, outplayed Sibanya, who play in a lower league, 49-0, scoring seven converted tries.

Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Recreation Nocawa Mafu (left) honoured the spectacle with a surprise visit. She joined in the festivities on Monday to celebrate the final with the new mayor of Bitou Claude Terblanche.

The last rugby final in the lower league took centre stage as Kranshoek Dolphins took on Plett United. The winners, Plett United, stole the show as they edged Kranshoek Dolphins by one point with a final score of 25-24.

In the netball final, Kranshoek Dolphins beat Royal Crusaders from Kwanokuthula 41-32 in a high-paced game.

Dolphins coach Jolanda Peens shed cheers of joy after the win, saying history was made as it was the first time the Dolphins had lifted the winners' trophy.

Eight-ball pool and the car stance took centre stage on Saturday 30 March 30. The eight ball pool final was between Luthuli and Cue Masters with Luthuli taking the honours.

Monday, the final day, started off with the Kwano 10km marathon that was also well-attended.

The super sixes cricket final, in which Terblanche was playing, was postponed due to an unplayable pitch in Kranshoek. The finals will be determined at the weekend in New Horizon.

Tears of joy for the Dolphins netball coach, as her team wins the tournament for the first time.