2023 World Bowls Championships: Day 3 recap
It was a drama filled afternoon on the Gold Coast as lightning caused havoc in the final session of day three of the 2023 World Bowls Championships.
The men’s triples action at Mudgeeraba was halted in the final end of action between Australia and France with the Jackaroos holding an 18-17 lead with three bowls to play.
The French trio of Thomas Royet, Amaury Dumont and Maxime Faure were heavy underdogs going into the clash with the Australians just needing to win the match to progress to the quarterfinals, but they soon turned the match on its head by racing to a 7-1 lead after three.
Corey Wedlock, Aron Sherriff and Carl Healey managed to peg the lead back and create a 15-11 advantage before the Europeans fought back to force it to a deciding end.
The green and gold squad were on the verge of a victory after enjoying control of the deciding end before play needed to be abandoned due to a lightning strike.
With more than ten minutes elapsed in between the resumption of play, the end was replayed and the Australians managed to hold 19-17 on in an epic contest.
Malaysia had already progressed on top of the group, while in other sections it would be England and Thailand who made it through in one, while three saw the USA and Ireland book passage to the quarterfinals, leaving New Zealand and South Africa as casualties.
Section four had Scotland on top by a long way over second placed Japan, who would also enjoy a place in the quarters.
Men’s pairs action the Welsh Commonwealth champions of Daniel Salmon and Jarrad Breen enjoyed top spot ahead of fellow quarterfinalists Aaron Teys and Aaron Wilson, while in the next pool it is Ireland’s Adam McKeown and Gary Kelly and India’s Sunil Bahadur and Putul Sonowal that move through to the elite eight.
Group three saw Canada’s John Bezear and Ryan Bester top the standings with New Zealand’s Tony Grantham and Andrew Kelly edging out England’s Ed Morris and Sam Tolchard by six shots to pass through.
The final section puts Scotland and Malaysia into the quarters.
Meanwhile in women’s singles action, Ellen Ryan stormed through the field with a trio of victories throughout the day, sitting comfortably on top of her section and only needing to score eight shots from her next two matches to move through.
Sri Lanka’s Kumari Mangos and Zimbabwe’s Jane Rigby will fight for the remaining quarters spot.
Katherine Rednall from England and Gloria Ha from Hong Kong China emerged from section two ahead of Scotland’s Emma McIntyre and Wales’ Melanie Thomas.
Kelly McKerihen of Canada and South Africa’s Colleen Piketh would also progress, while in the fourth section it was New Zealand’s Tayla Bruce and Switzerland’s Laura Butler who emerged from a tough cluster.
Women’s fours action saw Australia and Canada move out of the opening sector, with England and South Africa joining the fray from the second.
The final two groups saw New Zealand and Wales progress, as well as Scotland and Hong Kong China.
In the para men’s pairs, the semifinals will be contested by Australia and Singapore before South Africa meet Hong Kong China.
The para women’s event is also down to its final four, where New Zealand will meet Thailand and Australia will take on Scotland in a rematch of the Commonwealth Games final.
The vision impaired mixed pairs competition will pit South Africa against England before Australia meets Scotland.
View the day three results HERE
Day four of play commences from 8.30am AEST across the Gold Coast on Thursday.
The 2023 World Bowls Championships is proudly supported by Tourism and Events Queensland and Major Events Gold Coast.
