A2015 APsia PCacific LaDwn BowAls ChaImpLionsY hips - ChNristchuErch, NWew ZealaS nd Burnside Bowling Club and Bowls Papanui Friday 28 November 2015

Belw aZeaclandk’s recjenatly rce-jigkged s in the hunt for APC gold NBlackjacks are positioned for a hard- earned medal tilt at the Asia Pacific Bowls Championships presently under way in Christchurch. This year’s championships rolled out the red carpet to no fewer than eighteen bowling nations from across the Asia Pacific region. Today, at the Burnside Bowling Club, all four Blackjack combinations competing in the first week’s women’s singles and fours, along with men’s pairs and triples, will stake their claim for a start in next week’s gold medal matches being telecast live on SKY. • Shannon McIlroy and top qualified in their pairs section. In fact, two Blackjack disciplines gained direct entry into this afternoon’s semi secure sectional victory by a round win finals, a reward for topping their sections, and more than fifty shots. After lunch and their worst-case scenario is a bronze today they play the winner of this medal. However, women’s singles morning’s eliminator between Malaysia representative has her sights and Hong Kong China in a semi final. set higher than that, as her singles gold National skip and his men’s medal at last year’s Commonwealth triples partners Andrew Kelly and Mike Games in Glasgow attests. Nagy will be looking to repeat their Yesterday’s ‘battle of letters’ between Jo Round 6 victory over Brunei this Edwards MNZM and Norfolk Island’s morning, with the view of an afternoon legendary Carmen Anderson OAM, saw semi final blockbuster against defending the New Zealand great emerge champions Fiji. These Blackjacks have victorious and formalise her ascension to combined brilliantly all week and a this afternoon’s semi finals. Ironically, medal of any hue would be a just reward. Anderson plays Canada’s Kelly But Girdler is one tough hombre, so he • Blackjack great Jo Edwards also McKerihen in an elimination final this will be eyeing off gold; but first there’s topped her section yesterday. morning, with the winner facing Edwards the ever-improving Brunei men to in the semi final at 1pm. contend with! Aussies and, perhaps, further honours in The newly formed Kiwi men’s pairs Likewise, the women’s fours side of front of a live national SKY television combo of Shannon McIlroy and Mike skipper Sandra Keith, , Angela audience next week. Kernaghan were irrepressible throughout Boyd and , has gone from Hats off to the well-drilled Australians, and richly deserved top billing in their strength to strength since its forgettable who have qualified in medal position in section. A three-shot first round loss to first day and are keenly awaiting this all four disciplines being contested the aggressive Fijians was little more morning’s challenge against the today, while the USA women’s fours and than a hiccup to the experienced Philippines line-up. Reward for a strong Fijian men’s triples are also guaranteed a Blackjacks, who combined brilliantly to performance is a shot at the powerful tier on the medal podium.