International star bows out to local hopeful
The lucrative $140,000 Australian Open has produced shock exists in the opening round of the men’s singles draw,
The lucrative $140,000 Australian Open has produced shock exists in the opening round of the men’s singles draw, as former Northern Irish world champion Jeremy Henry bows out to young gun and local hopeful Jerome Coles.
The Victorian representative and North Balwyn men’s singles club champion needed two hours to edge out last year’s Australian Open quarter finalist, picking up a solid 3 shots on the 19th end to clinch victory and send Henry packing, 21-15.
The International sensation, who has claimed consecutive World Cups for Australia in addition to the 2000 World Championships singles title for his berth country, had a dominate start to the match, but with the tide turning it went all the local’s way who now secures a second round berth against Sebastopol’s Damian Riches after he advanced in the draw 21-14 against Shane Greentree.
Across the rinks, it was a touch of déjà vu as last year’s National Champion of Champions pair’s winner Carl Healy bowed out of the opening round, following a convincing display with the bowls by Glenn Taylor.
The Wiseman Park Wollongong City Bowling Club representative triumphed with the bowls 21-8, to advance his seeding in this year’s men’s singles draw.
Following a round of upsets, Trans-Tasman representative Dylan Skinner has fallen victim to the opening round curse, after succumbing to the powers of David Bloom, 21-17.
Australia A Squad representative Clive Adams has also joined the list of first round causalities, after Jason Smith snared two shots on the last end to advance 21-19 on the scorecard.
It wasn’t however the same fate for 2012 National Champion of Champions pair’s winner Des Cann Jnr, with the Jindalee bowler producing the goods on the scoreboard against Simon Dorr 21-10 to advance through to the second round.
With general admission to this year’s event, you can catch all the action live as the men’s singles draw continues from 8:30am tomorrow at the Darebin International Sports Centre.
Story provided by Courtney McKenna for bowlsaustralia.com.au
