Australia starts strong in Malaysia
The Australian singles representatives both had amazing ‘come from behind’ victories in their first round matches to kick start day 1 in Malaysia. Ben Twist and Anne Johns have opened their accounts at the Asia Pacific Merdeka International in Malaysia with victories in their first round matches.
Neither of the Australian’s were finding the scoreboard early, however when they found their feet shots started to flow for Twist and Johns.
It was Twist that started the Aussie’s campaign with a 21-19 win over Singapore’s Christian Huang.
Huang gained the early lead picking up 6 shots in the first three ends and it wasn’t until a brilliant last bowl from Twist on the fourth end that he finally opened his account.
Twist opted for a change of length, the longer ends worked instantly for the Australian who found his rhythm and a quick five shots to trail 5-6.
Huang then won six of the next eight ends to lead 17-8 clearly answering to the challenge.
After trading singles shots for a number of ends Twist then drew four brilliant bowls to trail 16-18, 2 more on the next end and scores were level at 18 all.
One more shot to Twist gave him the lead for the first time in the match 19-18 and Twist backed it up with two brilliant draw shots on the next end to claim victory.
Current Australian Open singles champion Anne Johns had a tough opponent for her first round match.
Rosita Bradborn of the Philippines is a veteran on the international scene and was bringing all her experience to the table in the first half of the match.
Anne Johns quickly found herself trailing Bradborn 2-9 before a full count to the Australian reduced the deficit 7-10.
The pair continued to trade blows until Johns won four ends straight to lead for the first time in the match 15-14.
Johns was on a roll and started drawing brilliantly applying pressure to her opponent in the closing stages of the game.
Time became an important factor in the match with the two hour time limit fast approaching.
With the scores favouring Johns 19-16 Johns plays a front toucher, then places a perfect back bowl in as the siren sounds.
Johns then draws a second shot with her third and covers the re-spot with her last, Rosita misses her conversion opportunity and Johns takes Australia’s second victory 21-16.
At 5:30pm AEST, Kristy Thatcher (QLD) and Andrew Howie (NSW) take to the Malaysian greens for the first time.
Australia will play Singapore in the opening round of Mixed Pairs and at 7:30pm AEST the four Aussie’s will team up for the Mixed Fours against Singapore once more.
DAY 1 RESULTS
Mens Singles: Ben Twist (AUS) def Christian Huang (SIN) 21-19
Women’s Singles: Anne Johns (AUS) def Rosita Bradborn (PHP) 21-16
