Pairs progressing towards pointy end
Men’s and women’s pairs action has continued today as the 2014
Australian Open moves toward its completion,
Men’s and women’s pairs action has continued today as the 2014
Australian Open moves toward its completion, with the remaining duos fighting
it out for a spot in the semi-finals.
A semi-final showdown between defending women’s pairs
champions Kelsey Cottrell and Lynsey Clarke and last chance qualifying duo Natasha
Scott and her partner Anne Johns has been set up as both teams progressed
through their quarter finals relatively easily.
Cottrell and Clarke, both current Jackaroos named in the
squad to take on New Zealand next month, defeated Victorian state
representatives Judy Davey and Robyn Thommassen 15-3 in a one sided quarter
final that showcased the skills of two of Australia’s best bowlers.
Scott and Johns made equally light work of their quarter
final, progressing after a 19-6 win over Lyn Quarrell and Rae Simpson.
In the other half of the draw, Victorian’s Claire Sanders
and Judy Eddy will face Emma Brown and Noelene Dutton from QLD’s Club Kawana in
their semi-final.
Sanders and Eddy defeated Vicki Arbon and Sue Coultas 20-8
in a convincing performance that took only 105 minutes.
Their semi-final opponents, Brown and Dutton, progressed
after defeating Veronica Kelly and Melissa Larcombe in a close fought 16-13
win.
After slipping to 10-9 in the tenth end, Dutton and Brown
were able to collect a full count on the next end to sure up their lead.
The men’s competition has also reached the semi-final stage,
with the draw including well-credentialed pair of Jackaroo Wayne Ruediger and
Adelaide Endurance’s Scott Thulborn.
Bowls Australia wildcard recipients Ruediger and Thulborn
enjoyed a 15-8 quarterfinal win over Matthew Ayres and Matthew Ellul as they
moved forward to set up a semi-final match against NSW pair Andrew Rees and
Brendon Baker.
The other men’s pairs semi-final features Clive Adams and
Dave Rankin, who defeated last chance qualifiers Josh and Jordan Thornton,
taking on Graeme Spry and Ray Jansen.
Spry and Jansen defeated Alan Dove and Wayne Roberts 14-7 in
their two hour long quarter final match.
Caption: Kelsey Cottrell remains optimistic of retaining her pairs crown.
