DAY 9 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ASIA PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
 
MORNING UPDATE – FINALS UNDERWAY!!
 
Exciting times at Lockleys this morning as the finals series of the Asia Pacific Championships got underway with the quarter finals of the fours and singles.
 
In the men’s fours game between powerhouse New Zealand and USA, it was the Kiwis all the way with the US failing to score until end five.  New Zealand led for the majority, with the closest score being 8-6 after end nine.  New Zealand took out the match 18-9 and will now play Malaysia this afternoon in the semi finals.
 
In the other match, Canada proved too strong for Philippines who only managed to get 6 shots in for the game – all of which were 1’s.  The Canadians won the match convincingly 20-6 and will face Australia this afternoon.
 
The Women’s fours match between Canada and Philippines unfortunately had a same end result as the men with Canada proving too strong yet again.  The Philippines however in this match got off to a good start and were up 5-2 after end four but 15 shots over the next 5 ends saw the Canadians race ahead to a 17-5 lead by end ten.  The Philippines won the remaining ends 11 – 5 but it was too little too late and the match ended with the Canadians victorious 22-16.  They will face New Zealand this afternoon.
 
Canadian coach Lachlan Tighe said of this morning’s wins “I’m thrilled with the performance of the team considering 3 of the 8 have never played internationally before.  We have really excelled and to a certain degree, have exceeded expectations”
 
“We’re medalists already based on results so far – everything from here on is the icing on Ryan Bester’s cake” he laughed.  (Fours skip Ryan Bester enjoyed a birthday yesterday).
 
Japan v Fiji women’s fours saw Fiji concede after 17 ends with a 26-9 loss.  After starting the game with a 4 in the first end, they failed to capitalize on it any further.  Japan will play Australia this afternoon.
 
The blue-ribbon singles quarter-finals this morning saw Australia’s Brett Wilkie resoundingly defeat New Zealand’s Shaun Scott.  In what was expected to be a close battle, the Australian champion was on fire taking out the match 21-8 after 20 ends.  Scott simply couldn’t get started and half-way through trailed 12-4.  Wilkie will face the mighty Ratish Lal from Fiji this afternoon.
 
Danny Ho of Honk Kong v Terence Lee from China was also a whitewash with China winning 21-7 in just 15 ends.  Ho got to within one shot of Lee after four ends (4-5) but then failed to score again until end ten where a 1 saw him down 13-5.  Lee will face Malaysia’s Safuan Said this afternoon.
 
A thrilling match in the women’s singles between the mighty Kelsey Cottrell of Australia and Val Smith of New Zealand saw the Aussie victorious 21-15 after 18 ends.  A close game all the way with Cottrell up by just 2 after nine ends (10-8). She managed 1’s for the next three ends taking her to 13-8 after twelve.  Smith replied with a 3 in end thirteen but Cottrell came back again with a 4 on fourteen and a 2 in fifteen.  Cottrell will play the undefeated Carmen Anderson this afternoon.
 
The USA were no match for Malaysia with Sita Zalna Binti Ahmad way to strong fro Dee McSparran.  The USA never really managed to get into the game going down 21-9 after 17 ends and managing to score in just 5 of them.  Malaysia will take on Fiji this afternoon. 
 
 
THE FINALS SERIES PLAYOFFS ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 9 AT LOCKLEYS
QUARTER FINALS 9AM - SEMI FINALS 2PM
 
 
Men’s Pairs
 
POOL1                                                                         POOL 2
1.       Australia                                                          1.Canda
2.       Hong Kong                                                      2. New Zealand
3.       Fiji                                                                    3. Philippines
 
Hong Kong v Fiji – winner to play Australia in the semis
New Zealand v Philippines – winner to play Canada in the semis
 
 
Women’s pairs
 
POOL1                                                                         POOL 2
1.       Philippines                                                       1. Australia
2.       Malaysia                                                          2. Norfolk Island
3.       Hong Kong                                                      3. New Zealand
 
Hong Kong v Malaysia – winner to play Philippines in the semis
Norfolk Island v New Zealand – winner to play Australia in the semis
 
Men’s Triples
 
POOL1                                                                         POOL 2
1.       Australia                                                          1.New Zealand
2.       Hong Kong                                                      2. Malaysia
3.       Fiji                                                                    3. USA
 
Hong Kong v Fiji – winner to play New Zealand in the semis
Malaysia v USA – winner to play Australia in the semis
 
 
Women’s Triples
 
POOL1                                                                         POOL 2
4.       New Zealand                                                   1.Australia
5.       Philippines                                                       2. Brunei
6.       Singapore                                                        3. Norfolk Island
 
Singapore v Brunei – winner to play Australia in the semis
Philippines v Norfolk Island – winner to play New Zealand
 
GRAND FINAL MATCHES TO BE PLAYED SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
 
 
Full results of from all games is available at
 http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-7470-0-199773-0&a=COMPS
 
-ends-
 
Issued for Asia Pacific Championships by Foster Hill PR & Marketing – Sue Hill 
T:  +61 8 8231 3555 / 0418 822 629
suehill@fosterhill.com.au.     Media enquiries – Foster Hill PR & Marketing as above