2023 World Bowls Championships: Day 8 recap
The sectional rounds of the reversed disciplines at the 2023 World Bowls Championships are heating up with a pair of Commonwealth champions in severe danger of being eliminated in the knockout stage.
Men’s Singles
2022 Commonwealth Games conqueror Aaron Wilson enjoyed yet another unblemished day as he took home a trio of victories in his section to put himself in the box seat to progress.
His first match was over quickly against Tzvika Hadar of Israel before he was pushed to the absolute brink by Hong Kong China’s Tony Cheung in the middle session.
Cheung, a two-time silver medallist at the World Champion of Champions, led for 18 of the 28 ends but Wilson would prevail 21-19 before going on to overcome another tough prospect in Wales’ Daniel Salmon 21-12.
In section one, Gary Kelly has done a lot for his hopes of a second gold at the tournament by winning his two contests as well as the bye, while in section three Malaysia’s Izzat Dzulkeple looks primed to progress as he sits ahead of Malcolm De Sousa and Iain McLean.
Section two is supremely fascinating, with 2022 World Champion of Champions winner Sam Tolchard and South Africa’s Wayne Rittmuller undefeated, two games clear of 2016 runner up Ryan Bester and Japan’s Kenta Treacher.
Women’s Pairs
The women’s pairs competition is shaping up as a fascinating competition following another intriguing afternoon in Queensland.
After suffering a loss to Malta in the final session yesterday, Commonwealth Games champions Kristina Krstic and Ellen Ryan claimed a big win over Zimbabwe to start the day before falling to England’s Sophie Tolchard and Amy Pharoah in a Birmingham final rematch to end the day third behind the English and the Rixon sisters, perilously lingering outside the qualification zone.
After a quarterfinal run at the Comm Games last year, Norfolk Island’s Carmen Anderson and Shae Wilson have maintained their undefeated run to sit ahead of Wales.
Section two sees New Zealand, Guernsey and Ireland only separated by shots with two rounds to play tomorrow, in what could be a grandstand finish, while in section three it will be Scotland, Malaysia, Canada and the Cook Islands vying for knockout spots on Thursday.
Women’s Triples
Australia has booked a place in the quarterfinals with another unblemished day, with Ireland, Hong Kong China and Israel all behind jostling for second.
New Zealand, Canada and Jersey will bid for the elite eight in the section two, while in the third pool it will be India and Malaysia that progress with Scotland to miss out.
Section four sees England in prime position ahead of South Africa and the USA.
Men’s Fours
New Zealand look primed to progress from the first group after going undefeated again, while the Cook Islands, Singapore and Zimbabwe are all locked in a dues for progression.
The Australian quartet are in a strong position after a trio of wins, with Wales and Namibia to battle for second place in group two, while the third section sees Ireland, Israel and the USA separated from the rest of the field ahead of moving day tomorrow.
Scotland are sitting on top of section four, with Thailand a point behind in second. Hong Kong China and England both follow closely to make Thursday all the more intriguing
Six games will once again be live streamed on the Bowls Australia Facebook page and YouTube channel.
View the day eight results HERE
Day nine 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.
