Four men, five women remain unbeaten in World Bowls in New Zealand
New Zealand champion Aiden Takarua is one of four men who remain unbeaten after the second day of the World Bowls Champion of Champions Singles in Auckland.
The New Zealand Singles champion is unbeaten after four rounds in the championship that comprises the national singles champions from the 30 competing nations at the Browns Bay Bowling Club in North Harbour.
He joins Australia’s Lee Schraner, India’s Putal Sonowal and England’s Lewis King as the unbeaten men.
Sitting in behind them is the current world no.2 ranked player, Malaysia’s Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple who dropped his first game in a close encounter with South Africa’s Wayne Roberts.
“The game was very close. I was perhaps a bit late for the warm-up and getting used to the quick green in the first set. But I came back in the second which was very close and the third set too,” said the Malaysian.
“The greens are fast but this is good for me because the grass is good but the only challenge is to control the wind. I am happy with how I am playing but it was a very close game and South Africa was better today.”
The Malaysian star lost the final at this tournament in Wellington two years ago and won the bronze medal in Australia last year.
There are five women who remain unbeaten, led by American Anne Nunes, who is attempting to become the first person to successfully defend the World Bowls Champion of Champions singles title.
She is joined Niue’s Joy Preyoux, Nayan Moni Saikia (India), Laini McGorman (Australia) and Stef Branfield (England).
However it was not plain sailing for the unbeaten quintet with Niue winning 1.5 to 0.5; and England forced to a tiebreak to win both games today over Singapore and South Africa.
Likewise India had a straight-sets win over New Zealand’s Leeane Poulson but a tiebreak went in their favour over Hong Kong China, while USA won both their encounters 1.5 to 0.5.
Australia’s McGorman was the most impressive with straight sets wins over Sharon Barnes (Falkland Islands) and Gloria Ha (Hong Kong China).
After a tough start to the tournament, New Zealand singles champion Poulson bagged her first win in the final round of the day with a tie-break success over Cook Islands’ Teokotai Jim.
Over 50 of the best bowlers from 30 nations have descended on New Zealand for the 22nd World Bowls Champion of Champions Singles this week.
There are three rounds of qualifying each day from Tuesday ahead of the elimination rounds and final on Saturday at Browns Bay Bowling Club.
Results:
For event information, please contact:
Ian Hepenstall
Event Media Liaison
Tel +275 613181
