Aug 16 7:00 AM Australia dominate the men's side winning both the Pairs and Triples over New Zealand and the Men's Overall Asia Pacific Trophy.An upset in the Women's Singles with the two favourites Malaysia and Australia getting knocked out in the semi-finals. Philippines went on to win the gold over Thailand.The home country did have one team to cheer in the finals with the Women's team besting Brunei in the championship game.
Malaysia did top the field in the Women's Overall race with the Canadian women exactly at the half way mark with their 8th position in the overall standings. The men finished one better at 7th of the 15 countries entered.
The bags are packed and the far flung exodus from Kuala Lumpur has begun.
Bon voyage, good job.
Aug 15 6:00 AM The games are over for the Canadian Teams. In a consolidated solid second half of the competition all four made it to the playoff round. They came, they perspired, they played hard. For the veterans, you always want to have done better. You look back at a game, an end , a shot that if..... You compare facilities, opponents, teammates from all the other times. For the rookies, you have been a part of an International bowling event and you are much wiser than when your journey began. Let it soak in, your highlights, your observations on and off the greens, your memories for ever. All, make it a positive building experience, a gathering of data for future choices and most of all to be appreciative for the the opportunity to have represented your country in a world event. Roll on.
Aug 14 12:15 AM All Aboard.Canada play on in all disciplines. The Women Fours did lose their last game to Singapore but by New Zealand beating Thailand and Fiji tying the Philippines , they did hold maintain their 3rd place in Section 1.
Aug 14 11:30 PM Can you believe this. Three Canadian teams in playoffs to date and it is Canada vs Australia each and every time. Just waiting on the Women Four's team to complete last round.
Aug14 9:30 AM Leanne Chinery beats USA and nearly certainty for playoffs. The Women Fours lose 16 -20 to Australia and are in a log jam for PO position.
Aug14 7:00 AM The Men Triples win, the Pairs lose, both will be in the 1/4's. Leanne can join the ranks with a win over the USA being played now. The Fours can be a part of the show by winning 1 of their last 2 games.
Aug13 11:30 PM Bester and Pituley over Malaysia 16-15. Going for first next. Leanne has won her Rd 6 match and is on the cusp of clinching a playoff position.
Unfortunate news for the Women's Fours team. Vice Skip Anita Nivala has re-injured her shoulder and has been sidelined for now. Honglan, a friend of Michel Larue, is the substitue.
As by rule, Anita will have one chance to return to action. But the Women Fours roll on beating Fiji. Important win for Men's Triples. Of PO significance.
Aug.13 7:30 PM All can make the playoffs. All have work to do to accomplish a full house.
August 13 7:30 AM The Women's Fours garner the only win in the afternoon game ( 1:30 AM in Canada). They plus the men maintain playoff positions.
August 12 Midnight - Men undefeated after 3 Rounds, Women 3 & 2. The latter wading into the elite teams.
A little insight into the conditions from on site personnel." Very hot here and hard schedule with 3 games a day ( 18 ends ) and functions at night." "Weather is hot.....hotter than any of us have played or been in. You start sweating within 5 minutes of being outdoors and are still sweating at 1030 at night. Sweating out of places you weren't even sure you had!! "
"Food of course is also an issue but each day we come up with contingency plans and alternate means to find food."
Of course I would be interested in the greens for an International event. If you read this earlier you will note it has changed. I got to thinking about the greens after I read a good article Roger Buck sent me. It reminded me of my personal outlook wherever I am playing.
Play on what you have, adjust as needed and keep the task at hand as the focus not the conditions that you can't alter.
It doesn't mean I have changed my opinion an iota in that we should always try to provide the best surface for the elite competitions.
But I have toned down the analysis of the green conditions in Malaysia.
" These greens are a great equalizer. We haven't hit 12 seconds yet and some are running close to 9 depending on the time of day. Which wouldn't be too bad if they were anywhere near true or smooth."
"Perhaps the bigger challenge is that many countries have showed up with very narrow biased bowls (dreamlines, redlines, premiers,) which means they just chuck them straight up the middle. And if anything is short (which it often is) you can't get around it and have to try and heave your way through it."
Not complaining, well may be a little, they are winning. Just how it is. The great dilemma for administrators is to grow the game by accepting a variety of hosts even when the green conditions are not optimum. It provides exposure at the cost of competitive excellence opportunity . A difficult balancing act.
I have been wondering about the success of the teams from India.
" India have been practising very hard for com ( Commonwealth )games. Full time jobs ranging from last year to 2 years. "
India are hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and the incentive is obvious. They have also hired a full time coach but are lagging in building the facilities. From the World Bowls minutes, February 2009 it was reported despite lots of paper activity there had been little evidence of anything else happening. However the venue is now scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009 and there is a sigh of relief by all. The Asia Pacific Games are scheduled to be held in August 2010 at the facility as a test run for the CG in October.
August 12 Noon Seven games , seven wins. Sounds like the title for a good book. Sure to be a best seller - in Canada.
August 12 7:00 AM A super start - 4 games, 4 wins and perhaps none bigger than the Erin Roth led Four's team beating the Philippines 13-10. The latter just completed having both their Triples and Pairs teams reach the semi-finals. But that was then, this is now. Onwards and upwards.
The host country were inspired and the home crowd were ecstatic as Malaysia won 3 of the 4 Gold medals being contested for in the first half of the Championships. The women are strong and finished on top of their RR sections so were expected to medal but the 3W 3L Men's Fours team in preliminary play surfed the emotional waves to the top of the podium as well. And the Single's final didn't include the World Bowls #1 ranked Safuan Said who was eliminated in the semi-finals. The fires are stoked and more will be the goal even with little time to celebrate as the second half gets underway.
Perhaps that is why World Bowls are making this change for the World Bowls 2012 Championships in Australia. " Finals for all disciplines will be staged at the conclusion of the tournament in Adelaide." As well, " It was also decided that the World Championships would continue to use the 'Traditional' format of play for all disciplines rather than sets play."
it has been agreed that the finalsisciplines will be staged at the conclusion of the tournament in Adelaide, paving the way for a highly entertaining finish to the event.
The top four in each section after the Round Robin qualify for the medal playoffs.
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MEN'S PAIRS
RYAN BESTER (S), JONATHAN PITULEY
RD 1 CANADA 32 vs Singapore 10
A kazam duo. Deft with the draw and big hitters.
RD 2 CANADA 27 vs Macau 15
RD 3 CANADA 17 India 12
RD 4 China 22 CANADA 19
RD 5 CANADA 24 Japan 14
RD 6 CANADA 16 Malaysia 15
Whoa Nellie. A thriller
This is a big game vs a top team in a 5 team race for 4 playoff positions. After 5 Rounds Hong Kong are undefeated and Canada come next.
RD 7 Hong Kong 22 CANADA 15
Hong Kong undefeated. Canada win and claim 1st in Section.
Hong Kong win section, Canada in a 3 way 5W 2L tie.
China scorch India 35-4 in Rd 7 to sneak ahead of Canada in the differential.
Looks like Canada end up 4th and meet the the undefeated Australians in the 1/4 finals.
Current Standings Section 2
Final
1.Hong Kong 7W 0L
2. Malaysia 5W 2L +55
3. China 5W 2L +42
4. CANADA 5w 2L +40
1/4 FINALS
(1) Australia 19 (4) CANADA 13
I like this tough match up. A pair of Canadians who can create fireworks.
(2) Malaysia 18 (3) Fiji 15
(4) New Zealand 17 (1) Hong Kong 12
(3) China 20 (2) Philippines 17
SEMI-FINALS
Australia 18 Malaysia 14
New Zealand 22 China 16
FINAL
Australia 22 New Zealand 8
MEN'S TRIPLES
STEVE McKERIHEN (S), MICHEL LARUE, FRED WALLBANK
RD 1 CANADA 20 vs USA 15
Solid start with playoffs definitely in mind
RD 2 CANADA 18 Singapore 9
RD 3 BYE
RD 4 Hong Kong 21 CANADA 11
RD 5 Philippines 20 CANADA 15
The Philippines remain undefeated.
RD 6 CANADA 20Thailand 15
This is a must win and a playoff will be in sight.
And muster they did.
RD 7 CANADA 21 Japan 13
They can grab the PO ring.
Play on.
Canada also end in a 3 team tie at 4W 2L. And again the differential will place them 4th and a 1/4 final game vs the undefeated Australians.
Current Standings Section 2
Final
1. Philippines 6W-0L
2. Hong Kong 4W 2L +29
3. USA 4W 2L +18
4.Canada 4W 2L +12
1/4 FINALS
(1) Australia 15 (4) CANADA 14
On the cusp, a dandy match to conclude.
(2) Hong Kong 14 (3) Fiji 13
(4) Malaysia 22 (1) Philippines 12
It's playoff time. Here come the home team.
(2) New Zealand 18 (3) USA 9
SEMI-FINALS
Australia 23 Hong Kong 14
New Zealand 14 Malaysia 12
FINALS
Australia 24 New Zealand 4
WOMEN'S SINGLES
LEANNE CHINERY
RD 1 CANADA 21 vs Singapore 15
An experienced Singles player. The first one in the books
Rd 2 BYE
RD 3 Malaysia 21 CANADA 16
Good game vs Malaysian bowler #4 in World rankings
RD 4 New Zealand 21 CANADA 7
Followed by game vs Val Smith #1 in World rankings
RD 5 CANADA 21 Hong Kong 12
Important game for Leanne. Just finished playing 2 top ranked players.
Well done. The pot is stirred.
RD 6 CANADA 21 Japan 10
RD 7 Fiji 21 CANADA 16
Isn't Fiji a neat lower case name. Leanne needs 1 win in next 2 games for playoff spot.
RD 8 CANADA 21 USA 12
Leanne has decision in her hand. Her part is accomplished.
Hong Kong must beat the 5W 1L Val Smith of New Zealand 21 -8 to prevent Leanne from the PO.
RD 9 BYE
By golly Hong Kong's Camilla Leung won the battle but lost the war. She edged Smith of NZ 21-18 to finish 4W 3L, the same as Leanne. Finally a Canadian wins on the tie breaking point differential.
Current Standings Section 1
Final
1. Malaysia 7W 0L
2. New Zealand 5W 2L +35
3. Fiji 5W 2L +10
4. CANADA 4W 3L + 11
5. Hong Kong 4W 3L + 2
1/4 FINALS
(1) Malaysia 21 (4) India 14
(2) Thailand 21 (3) Fiji 8
(1) Australia 21 (4) CANADA 13
(3) Philippines 21 (2) New Zealand 18
SEMI-FINALS
Thailand 21 Malaysia 11
Philippines 21 Australia 13
FINAL
Philippines 21 Thailand 17
WOMEN'S FOURS
ERIN ROTH (S), ANITA NIVALA, AMANDA BERG, KATELYN BRIERLEY
RD 1 CANADA 13 vs Philippines 10
A big win over a strong team
RD 2 CANADA 21 Japan 10
RD 3 New Zealand 30 CANADA 6
RD 4 CANADA 18 Papua New Guinea 11
RD 5 CANADA 16 Thailand 12
Now that was a dandy win in the grand scheme of things. There is a track that is passable if the
'Little Engine That Could' finds the right switch.
RD 6 CANADA 25 Fiji 5
Ripley's Believe it or Not. This is the game that is crucial in unlocking the switch cover.
RD 7 BYE
NZ beats the Philippines this round and Canada in PO.
Let me retract, not quite that clean. Six teams scrambling for the 4 positions.
RD 8 Australia 20 CANADA 16( 4W 3L )
RD 9 Singapore 15 CANADA 8
One more win in last two rounds does the job.
It didn't happen but help from some friends keeps the fire burning.
Current Standings in Section 1
Final
1. New Zealand 7W 1L
2. Australia 5W 3L +95
3. CANADA 5W 3L + 10
4. Papua New Guinea 5W 3L -14
5. Philippines 4W 1T 3L +15
6. Thailand 4W 4L +7
1/4 FINALS
(4) India 23 (1) New Zealand 22
A Commonwealth preview
(2) Brunei 21 (3)CANADA 11
(1) Hong Kong 22 (4) Papua New Guinea 8
(3) Malaysia 20 (2) Australia 16
And another
SEMI-FINALS
Brunei 23 India 12
Malaysia 20 Hong Kong 9
FINAL
Malaysia 19 Brunei 12
Tuesday Aug 11 7:00 AM The Canadian run is over in the first half of the competition. Ryan Bester lost to Fiji 21 -8 in the 1/4 finals and now Canada start anew with the men and women switching disciplines. While we slept the games went on with now only the finals to be played. The 4 GOLD games are being represented by Malaysia ( 3 teams ) Australia (2) Philippines (1) New Zealand (1) and Norfolk Island (1).
Monday Aug. 10 7:00 AM It looks like Ryan Bester will have to carry the flag and deliver the bowls as we arrive at playoff time at the halfway mark of the competition. Ryan lost his first game and then upped his RPM to win the next 5 games and finish 1st in his section. He will meet Fifi in the first round of the 1/4 finals, a country he has had some epic battles with in the past.
Leanne Chinery and Amanda Berg in Women's Pairs are playing now and can tie Thailand for 4th in the section but the point differential will push Canada to 5th.
Steve McKerihen, Michel Larue, Jonathan Pituley and Fred Wallbank finished with a 4W 3L record but there was a table for 4 and they were assigned to chair # 5.
Erin Roth, Anita Nivala and Katelyn Brierley are in the same dining room. Close with their 3W 4L record to be considered for advancement but will see their total point record fall short.
MEN'S SINGLES
RYAN BESTER
RD 1 Malaysia 21 CANADA 7
RD 2 CANADA 21 JAPAN 5
RD 3 CANADA 21 China 19
A8 10:00 AM This section complexion quickly changed. Highly ranked Ryan a loss early to
highly ranked Malaysia but Hong Kong knocked off Malaysia in Round 2. The door is open.
RD 4 CANADA 21 Brunei 6
RD 5 BYE
A 3 player race for sectional placement. Malaysia nye impossible to catch for 1st ( Differential from RD 1 loss the factor). Hong Kong winning some squeakers can be caught but formidable.
Phillippines playing tough despite record.
Looks like a section 2nd place finish will get New Zealand or the USA in the 1/4's.
RD 6 CANADA 21Philippines 10
Ryan's win was important but the big news was Brunei beating Malaysia 21-7. Now winning the section is back in Bester's hands. Ryan moves to first in the section and the winner of the Hong Kong game will maintain that position.
RD 7 CANADA 21 Hong Kong 16
Final RR Standings
CANADA 1ST in Section 2
1/4 Finals
1. CANADA 8 vs 4. Fiji 21
A high differential indicates big wins for Fiji and close losses ( 17-21 NZ, 19-21 Aust)
There are no little fish left.
1. Australia 21 vs 4. China 19
2. Malaysia 21 vs 3. USA 19
2. New Zealand 21 vs 3. Hong Kong 12
Overall Finish
CANADA 5TH
Semi-Finals
Australia 21 Malaysia 8
New Zealand 21 Fiji 12
FINAL
Australia 7 vs New Zealand 21
MEN'S FOURS
STEVE McKERIHEN (S), MICHEL LARUE, JONATHAN PITULEY, FRED WALLBANK
RD 1 CANADA 22 Singapore 5
RD 2 CANADA 17 Macau 13
RD 3 India 18 CANADA 16
A8 11:00 AM India defeated New Zealand and Canada!! There is something in that curry.
RD 4 CANADA 19 Brunei 10
RD 5 New Zealand 20 CANADA 14
Canada a real good chance to finish 3rd in section since NZ and the surprising India team will battle for the two top positions. Important - I would rather play the projected Hong Kong team than Australia in the cross over game.
RD 6 Thailand 17 CANADA 14
Thailand have been on a roll and won their 4th straight and might have nudged Canada right out of the playoffs. Canada must beat Japan and trust both NZ and India to stay on form and beat Thailand and Brunei respectively. That would leave the latter two teams and Canada all with 4-3 records and it would then be down to the point differential tie breaker. Canada does have an advantage over Thailand after RD 6
RD 7 CANADA 21 Japan 17
Final RR Standings
CANADA 5th in Section 2
The nudge is real. Canada did their part with the Japan win but Thailand won their 5th straight, a 17-15 victory over New Zealand. That moved Thailand to the 5 win position and left the 4th place sectional standings at Canada 4W 3L +23, Brunei 4W 3L + 47.
FINAL
Philippines 10 vs Malaysia 21
WOMEN'S PAIRS
LEANNE CHINERY (S), AMAMDA BERG
RD 1 CANADA 16 Singapore 13
RD 2 CANADA 19 Japan 12
RD 3 Norfolk Is. 19 CANADA 7
RD 4 Philippines 23 CANADA 13
Philippines undefeated including a win over Australia.
RD 5 USA 23 CANADA 20
RD 6 CANADA 17 India 16
An important win over India. He keeps you in the race and buoys your spirit. A good chance to grab the 4th position in the section despite the upcoming tough game vs Australia.
Rd 7 BYE
RD 8 Australia 27 CANADA 15
Canada can tie for 4th in the section with Thailand if they win in their head to head game. What I do know is Thailand have the differential advantage. I am checking on whether a head to head win takes precedence when 2 teams are tied.Wishful thinking? or confusing the new Canadian tie breaking formula.Just checked the rules and I think that the deciding factor is the point differential in all games played.
RD 9 CANADA 19 Thailand 8
Good game to finish the RR. Canada had to win to tie Thailand with a 4W 4L record and a chance to make the playoffs. Mission accomplished but booster rocket not powerful enough to make orbit. Thailand in with a + 27 and Canada to 5th with their -15 differential.
Final Standings
CANADA 5THth in Section 1
FINAL
Malaysia 22 vs Norfolk Islands 10
WOMEN'S TRIPLES
ERIN ROTH (S), ANITA NIVALA, KATELYN BRIERLEY
RD 1 CANADA 20 Png 14
RD 2 Malaysia 24 CANADA 10
RD 3 CANADA 20 New Zealand 13
RD 4 CANADA 14 Norfolk Island 11
Yo ladies. A big win in Rd 3 and delighted you kept the emotions in check to grind out a win over Norfolk.
Rd 5 India 22 CANADA 13
RD 6 BYE
Ah, a good test for the young team. They can wrestle the 4th sectional place from the USA or possibly Hong Kong and it's in their hands.
RD 7 Hong Kong 16 CANADA 13
The road to the playoffs became more difficult with the HK loss. There are 6 team for 4 positions so a win over a strong USA team is a necessity.
RD 8 USA 24 CANADA 12
The loss will push Canada out of the playoffs. They may still tie for 4th in the section but NZ have the same 3W 4L record and a better differential.
RD 9 BYE
Standings after 8 of 9 Rounds
CANADA 5TH in Section 1
FINAL
Malaysia 17 vs Australia 15
Aug 7 1:30 PM Both Women's teams start out with a victory. A nice feeling whether it is a local tournament or on the World stage. Wow - India defeat New Zealand 17-14 in the Women's Triples in the first round. There will be joy in Delhi to-night. The Indian Bowls Association will be delighted to see visible success leading up to their hosting the Commonwealth Games in October 2010 in that city. It reminds me of when Malaysia first offered to host the Asia Pacific Championships ( I think it was this event) and the Malaysian Bowling Association with strong support from the government set out to recruit and train fulltime a new corps of athletes.
They brought in foreign coaches, provided pay for play, a high competitive travel budget along with strong incentives for victories. { ie a house for Gold in a major event I have heard }.
Malaysia are now one of the elite bowling countries in the world. Do you think India have been watching. A little different than the Canadian program.Kudos to our teams for doing much with less.
Aug7 7:30AM The games are underway. The women kick it off with Leanne Chinery (S), Amanda Berg playing Singapore and Erin Roth (S), Anita Nivala, Katelyn Brierley taking on Papua New Guinea. These games started at 6:30 AM our time. They will play their next round to-night at 10:00 PM against Japan and Malaysia respectively.
The men begin their quest at 10:00 PM with Ryan Bester playing Malaysia and Steve McKerihen (S), Michel Larue, Jonathan Pituley, Fred Wallbank meeting Singapore.
We will watch with great interest and support.
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Ryan Bester is halving the distance by hopping over from his Australian residence and Leanne Chinery is adding 2,000 km to Ryan's total by flying in from her home in Auckland, NZ.
A worldly bunch combined with the wide-eyed exuberance of youth.
An interesting and talented group.On one hand it may be a big grasp of the international bowling learning curve combined with a tossed savvy salad that will tickle your fancy. But then again youth only see bowls and greens just like home and opponents just like any other tournament.
Play on and enjoy.
The women's competition begins Friday Aug 7th at 6:30 PM - they are 12 hours ahead of Canada - so game time 6:30 AM on Friday.
The likely combinations will be Leanne Chinery (S) Amanda Berg, Pairs, vs Singapore
Erin Roth (S), Anita Nivala, Katelyn Brierley, Triples vs Papua New Guinea
The men start at 10:00 AM on Aug 8th but for us it is Friday the 7th at 10:00 PM.
A huge match for Ryan Bester to start the round robin in Singles. Home country and number 1 in the world rankings in April it may be Safuan Said. Just how Ryan likes it.
The Fours likely will have Steve McKerihen (S), Michel Larue, Jon Pituley and Fred Wallbank in that order againsy Singapore at 10:00 PM Canadian.
Represent your country to the best of your ability.No more can be asked and is expected.
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