2023 World Bowls Championships: Day two recap
Moves were made by some of the contenders on a sensational day two of the 2023 World Bowls Championships on the Gold Coast with all seven disciplines heating up as we head into the final sectional day tomorrow.
The Welsh Commonwealth Games men’s pairs champions of Daniel Salmon and Jarrad Breen stole the show at Club Helensvale as they moved clear at the top of their section in the same discipline thanks to two monumental wins over Argentina and Australia.
With the home nation’s Aaron Teys and Aaron Wilson moving to the top rung on shot difference heading into the highly anticipated clash, Salmon and Breen proved why they took home the Birmingham gold by superbly adapting to some mightily tough and windy conditions.
Being down 4-8, the Welsh unit rallied to clinch the ensuing six ends that would assist in their 15-13 victory, sealing top spot ahead of Jersey and Australia.
Jersey’s Derek Boswell and Malcolm de Sousa are yet to have their bye, leaving the Jackaroos in prime position to pounce.
In the other sections, India have proved a tough prospect for the rest of the field to top section two ahead of Hong Kong China, with Ireland’s strong duo of Adam McKeown and Gary Kelly looming dangerously in third.
Section three has thrown a huge surprise, with Thailand’s Wattana Kadkhunthod and Uthen Ontong heading into the final rounds on top ahead of the highly fancied Canada, England and New Zealand.
In the final section, Scotland, Malaysia and South Africa are primed for a tussle to decide the knockout placings tomorrow.
In the men’s triples, England’s Louis Ridout, Nick Brett and Jamie Walker look primed to progress ahead of Israel in the first section, while section two sees Australia, Malaysia, India and Zimbabwe all evenly poised on 12 points.
Section three sees the USA, South Africa and Ireland sharing the points on 15 with New Zealand a further win behind in fourth.
The final section sees the star-studded Scottish team of Paul Foster MBE, Derek Oliver and Alex Marshall MBE almost through, four points ahead of second placed Japan after an undefeated pair of days with Wales a further two points behind.
Women’s singles action saw Commonwealth champion Ellen Ryan power her way through, remaining unblemished in section one, along with Zimbabwe’s Jane Rigby.
Section two sees Gloria Ha of Hong Kong China proving to be a force to be reckoned with, winning all six of her matches so far, ahead of Katherine Rednall, Sophie McIntyre and Melanie Thomas on the table.
In the third section it is Canada’s Kelly McKerihen and Fiji’s Losalini Diqoya who sit ahead of the pack with a sextuple of victories, both sitting two wins clear of Colleen Piketh in third place.
The remaining group exhibits World Champion of Champions conqueror Tayla Bruce on top after a magnificent day, leading the likes of Anne Nunes, Nurul Alyani Jamil and Laura Butler.
Women’s fours play saw Australia confirms their place in the quarterfinals after yet another blistering day, leaving the likes of Canada and India jostling for the final knockout stage position.
In section two, England and South Africa sit in the qualification positions ahead of Malaysia and Jersey, while New Zealand and Wales look primed to progress from section three.
The final pool sees Hong Kong China, Scotland, Thailand and the Cook Islands locked on 12 points ahead of a tantalising final day.
Australia’s para men’s pairs team of Damien Delgado and James Reynolds will feature in the semifinals after another magnificent day, with Hong Kong China, England and Thailand all battling for the final spot.
The second section places South Africa through, with Singapore, New Zealand and Scotland fighting for the knockout stages.
Only one spot remains for the para women’s pairs knockout stages with New Zealand, Scotland and Australia all qualifying, with Hong Kong, England and Thailand all locked evenly with one match remaining.
The vision impaired mixed pairs sees South Africa through to the semis, with Australia and England close to booking their places, needing wins tomorrow to seal a place in Friday’s lineup.
Hong Kong China, Scotland and New Zealand all remain a chance of progressing in addition.
Day three of play commences from 8.30am AEST across the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
The 2023 World Bowls Championships is proudly supported by Tourism and Events Queensland and Major Events Gold Coast.
