World Singles Champion of Champion day five wrap up
NTC Coach of Queensland, Brett Wilkie provides a wrap up after day five of the World Singles Champion of Champions, with Katrina Wright and Scott Thulborn both in the mix at the pointy end of the competition. Day 5: Not a cloud in the sky once again today with temperatures pushing close to 35 at one stage. We were on the quickest green today which started around 17 and quickened up to 18 or more during the day. The wind was a little stronger today making it quite tricky at times.
Rd 9: Scott Thulborn v Waisea Senibici – Fiji
After trading doubles on the first two ends Thulborn had his worst end of the tournament to drop 4, Senibici capitalised grabbing another on the next end to lead 7-2 after 4 ends.
Just then Bowls Australia President Nigel Smith arrived which sparked Thulborn into action picking up three counts of 3 shots to take a handy lead of 11-7 after 7 ends!
Senibici picked up a single on the next end to get within three on the last. One down on the head, Thulborn killed then end to pick up 2 on the rerspot and win first set 13-8.
The pair then traded ends in the second set to be 3 all after 4 ends. Thulborn held a good 2 on the fifth end until Senibici converted and gained a good result to pick up a 2 shot lead.
Senibici then picked up 1 to gain the upper hand in the second set until he rolled the jack into the ditch on the following end. Thulborn brought the mat up and shortened the length which worked a treat for him winning the remaining three ends to win the set 7-6 and the match.
Rd 9: Katrina Wright v Litia Tikoisuva – Fiji
A must win game for both players with the winner certain to make the play offs and the loser destined to miss out.
A horror start by Wright having trouble finding the weight of the quick green and a good start by Tikoisuva saw her take the early lead 5-0 after 2 ends.
Instantly the tides changed with Wright playing a great end to claim 4 shots before going onto win the next 3 ends to take a 7-5 lead after 6 ends. Tikoisuva bounced back to claim 2 shots and draw level at 7 all.
With Tikoisuva a foot away, Wright was unlucky hitting her up right onto the jack until great shot from Wright with her third bowl took the shot bowls place and stayed for shot giving her a 1 shot lead with one end to play.
Three great shots from Wright on the last end, Tikoisuva just missed trailing the jack with her third, then needed to trail the jack with her last but missed wide, first set to Wright 11-7.
A great start to second set from Wright picking up 2 and holding one on the next end until a perfectly weighted shot from Tikoisuva sat Wright out for 2 and draw level.
Tikoisuva took the lead with a single on the next end until a great end from Wright to pick up 4 and a 6-3 break
Another single to Tikoisuva to stay within 2 shots.
Wright was holding two right on it the following end until she was heavy and narrow with her last splashing the jack for two down (giving her support crew a heart attack!) the score now 6 all with 3 to play.
With Wright holding a close one, Tikoisuva splashed the jack out near the back corner of the rink to hold 1, Wright nailed it with her last to lead 7-6 with 2 to play.
Great opening two bowls from both players within 18 inches and Tikoisuva holding 2, Wright drove and hit one then went through a hole between the other shot and the jack, Tikoisuva drew another with her last to take a 1 shot lead into the last end.
Wright won the battle of the draw on the final end picking up 1 and tying the second set which handed her the match and a spot in the play off rounds.
Rd 10: Scott Thulborn v Alfred Wallace – Canada
Thulborn dominated this game with Wallace struggling with the fast green and windy/hot conditions.
Thulborn won 12-2, 10-5 and remains unbeaten at the top of the ladder.
Pete Bonsor from Spain looms on his heels in second position one win behind with one round left to play tomorrow morning.
Women’s Play-off draw
Play-off 1: Australia (Katrina Wright) v Scotland (Lorna Smith); winner to play Malaysia (Emma Firyana) in Semi-final 1
Play-off 2: Namibia (Johanna van den Bergh) v South Africa (Nici Neal) ; winner to play New Zealand (Leigh Griffin) in Semi-final 2
Women’s first Play-off round is at 11am tomorrow and semi finals at 3pm. Final is on Sunday 11am.
Men’s first Play-off round at 1pm tomorrow and semi finals on Sunday at 9am. Final at 2pm on Sunday.
Click here to read the article on day four.
Click here to view the report of day three.
Click here the see the wrap-up article on day two.
Click here to read about what happened on the opening day.
