World Team Cup – Day 5

A freak drive by Canadian superstar Ryan Bester has put his team in a commanding position in the World Team Cup semi-final showdown with Australia this morning (21/5).

Bester and team-mate Keith Roney, the reigning world pairs champions, defeated the Australian combination in a tie-breaker to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three-games clash at Tweed Heads Bowls Club.

Australia’s Nathan Rice and Wayne Turley did everything right on the opening end of the tie-breaker and held three shots when Bester delivered a smashing drive that cleared the rink of Australia’s key bowls for a maximum count of six.

The final scoreline saw Canada emerge 8-6, 5-10, 6-2 victors.

The loss puts enormous pressure on new Australian representative, 21-year-old Aron Sherriff, who must beat the undefeated Hriendra Bhartu in the singles rubber at 2.00pm this afternoon to keep Australia ’s World Team Cup dream alive.

Sherriff locks-up World Team Cup semi

Australian team newcomer Aron Sherriff has played the biggest game of his short international career to square the World Team Cup semi-final against the Canadian invitational line-up at 1-1 this afternoon (21/5).

Under enormous pressure after Australia lost the opening pairs rubber, the 21-year-old out-gunned Hriendra Bhartu to keep Australia ’s World Team Cup dream alive.

Sherriff, who is making his international debut in this event, outclassed the previously undefeated Bhartu, winning in straight sets 11-3, 8-8 at Tweed Heads Bowls Club.

After cruising through the first set Sherriff showed plenty of character to fight back from a 5-8 deficit with two ends to play in the second.

“It was a superb performance by Aron,” said Australian coach Cameron Curtis .

“He handled the pressure like a seasoned professional.

“He has the temperament and tenacity of someone who has played international bowls for 10 years.”

Sherriff admitted to feeling a few nerves leading into the game but said they quickly settled once the battle began.

“I am very excited and pretty relieved,” he said after stepping from the green.

“There was a little bit of pressure as I knew I had to win to keep our chances alive.

“I’m just stoked to be able to win and give us a chance of going through to the final.”

Earlier in the day, a freak drive by superstar Ryan Bester in the opening pairs rubber gave the Canadians the upper hand.

Bester and team-mate Keith Roney, the reigning world pairs champions, defeated the Australian combination in a tie-breaker to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three-games clash.

Australia’s Nathan Rice and Wayne Turley did everything right on the opening end of the tie-breaker and held three shots when Bester delivered a smashing drive that collected the jack and cleared the rink of Australia’s key bowls for a maximum count of six.

“It was a good hit, but a freak result,” Bester said.

The final scoreline saw Canada emerge 8-6, 5-10, 6-2 victors.

The semi-final outcome will be determined by the triples rubber to be played on Wednesday morning.

In the women’s event, Australia ’s Kelsey Cottrell and Karen Murphy completed the preliminary rounds with their sixth consecutive win and a perfect record in the pairs.

The dynamic duo defeated New Zealand ’s Wendy Jensen and Jo Edwards 4-9, 11-6, 4-1 to level the final round clash at a game apiece after Julie Keegan was beaten by New Zealand ’s Val Smith yesterday (20/5).

The triples rubber will complete the match tomorrow (22/5) afternoon.

While the women’s finalists are already determined — Australia will meet New Zealand for the inaugural World Team Cup  the winner of the Round 7 clash will take an important psychological edge into the final.

Day Session - 21 May 2007

MEN: 

Second Semi-Final (incomplete): 

Singles: A Sherriff (Aus) bt H Bhartu (Can Inv) 11-3, 8-8. 

Pairs: K Roney R Bester (Can Inv) bt N Rice W Turley (Aus) 8-6 5-10 6-2.

WOMEN: Rd 7 (incomplete): 

Pairs: K Cottrell K Murphy (Aus) bt W Jensen J Edwards (Nzl) 4-9, 11-6, 4-1.  

Evening Session - 21 May 2007

WOMEN: Rd 7:

SCOTLAND v SOUTH EAST ASIA INVITATIONAL (incomplete) 

Singles: K Moran (Sco) bt M Witheridge (SEA Inv) 5-8, 6-5, 3-2.