Big guns firing and an 8 for the Philippines
Day 1 highlights from the Asia Pacific Championships
An opening ceremony with presentations by John McArdle, president world bowls international and Geoff Nethercott, chairperson World Bowls 2012 in somewhat blustery conditions at Holdfast Bay Bowls Club this morning was followed by Round 1 of the women’s pairs, men’s fours, women’s triples and men’s singles at the Asia Pacific Championships in Adelaide, South Australia.
As one may expect the day’s play was dominated by host nation Australia who won three of four of their matches including a win over Trans Tasman rivals New Zealand. With players the calibre of NZ’s Val Smith, Jo Edwards and Australia’s Natasha Van Eldik and Karen Murphy competing in the Women’s pairs, it was destined to be the match of the day.
The game was controlled early by the Kiwis who were up 14-8 after 13 ends, but the Black Jacks fell away toward the end.
“We were down early but really got going for the final third of the match when Australia dominated in a spirited fight-back,” Aussie coach Steve Glasson said.
Australia took the final five ends out 9-0 to win the match 17-14.
In a sombre moment for the host nation, world number two Brett Wilkie was comprehensively beaten by Fiji’s Ratish Lal (world #10) 21-12.
Other strong contenders on day one were powerhouses Malaysia who won all three of their games (with a bye in the Women’s Triples) and New Zealand who other than the women’s pairs, won all of their other games.
The team celebrating the most after day one is the Philippines women’s pairs who beat Japan 33-8 in a match that included an 8 scored in end seven.
Philippines lead Ainie Knight, though pleased with the result was humble in her assessment of the match.
“We didn’t play so well,” Knight said after the match,
“The wind made the game quite difficult and we are trying to get used to the greens still, however we were very happy to get an 8 in end seven.”
Full results of from day 1 are available at
http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-7470-0-199773-0&a=COMPS
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