Canada takes on the world.
Wednesday 5th 11:30 PM
Kelly McKerihen and Ryan Bester start the day and end the day in their Singles Semi Finals.
Both Kelly and Ryan beat their respective opponents in the Preliminaries but it is a new day and a different setting. This is the prelude to prime time, the production of the premier Singles event that will bring the 16 day 2012 World Bowls to its conclusion. There are two Canadians mighty amped to have a leading role in the grand finale 'show'.
Kelly McKerihen marches on. Down 4-11 to Ireland's Cliodhan Eadie in the knockout Playoff Round, Kelly stayed true to her controlled and consistent play this week. Back she roared to outscore Eadie 17-7 and booked her passage to the Singles Semi Final on Friday the 7th in Adelaide.{Thursday in Canada}.
The podium has been achieved, the goal remains to climb higher.
"On the adjacent rink, Canada's Kelly McKerihen also earned passage through to the semi-final after defeating Ireland's Cliodhan Eadie in a heated contested. With scores level 16 a piece after 18 ends, the vocal crowd was hard pressed to tip a victor, but McKerihen was resolute in her attack, picking up successive shots on five ends before putting the final nail in the coffin with 3 shots on the 23rd end.For her troubles, McKerihen will confront reigning champion and world number three Val Smith for a berth in the gold medal decider." World Bowls Adelaide News.
Ken Emura, Hisaharu, Kenta Hasebe, Japan 10
Terence Lee, Ricky Wong, Jimmy Tam, China 11
Alice Lee, Jessie So, Tammy Tham, Hong Kong 6
Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa 11
Stuart Airey, Robert Newman, Graham Shadwell, Mark Bantock, England 15
Jason Greenslade,Jonathan Tomlinson,Graham Shadwell,Mark Bantock, Wales 15
Ellen Falkner, Sian Gordon, Wendy King, Jamie-Lea Winch, England 19
Rosita Bradbom, Ainie Knight, Asuncion Bruce, Hazel Jagonoy, Phiippines 17
Paul Foster, Scotland 9
Malcolm De Sousa, Jersey 3
Cliodhan Eadie, Ireland 18
Tracy-Lee Botha, South Africa 11
Tuesday 4th 1:45 AM
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada lost to Australia 25-12 while Scotland were edging England 13-12 in the Pairs semifinals. A great run for this new pairs team. Lost their 1st game in the Preliminaries and then reeled off 10 straight before this match.The final is scheduled for December 6th at 10AM Adelaide, [ December 5th 6:30 PM EST, Canada ]. Both Canada and England will be awarded bronze medals.
Kelly McKerihen starts her quest for a Singles medal with her Post-Sectional match against Cliodhan Eadie of Ireland. That game begins at 10:00 PM Canadian EST time.
Monday 3rd 9:30 PM
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada and Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia in Pairs Semifinal at 10 PM EST. A whole lot of Australian connections in this match.
Monday 3rd 1:30 AM
Kelly McKerihen qualifies for playoffs. Kelly closes with 2 wins on the final day and nips Norfolk Island by 3 net shots.John Bezear and Ryan Bester finish 1st in their Pool. Malaysia beat Wales 24-14 in the last round to tumble the Welsh side to third. George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana finish with gusto winning both games on the last day. Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster finished with a loss to Brunei but had a spirited game to close out the Preliminaries.
Triples
Wednesday, December 5, 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6, 9:00 AM Adelaide]
POST-SECTIONAL PLAYOFFS
MEN
Game A
Ken Emura, Hisaharu, Kenta Hasebe, Japan
Neil Booth, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland
Game B
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia
Terence Lee, Ricky Wong, Jimmy Tam, China
WOMEN
Game A
Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand
Alice Lee, Jessie So, Tammy Tham, Hong Kong
Game B
Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa
Kathy Pearce, Caroline Taylor, Lisa Forey, Wales
Pairs
Wednesday, December 5, 6:30 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6, 10:00 AM Adelaide]
FINALS
MEN
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia
Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Scotland
WOMEN
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand
Triples
Wednesday, December 5, 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6 1:30 PM Adelaide]
SEMIFINALS
MEN
Semifinal 1
Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland
Winner Game A
Semifinal 2
Ali Forsyth, Matt Gallop, Tony Grantham, New Zealand
Winner Game B
WOMEN
Semifinal 1
Lynn Stein, Caroline Brown, Michelle Cooper, Scotland
Winner Game A
Semifinal 2
Karen Murphy, Lynsey Armitage, Natasha Van Eldik, Australia
Winner Game B
Sunday 2nd 8:00 PM
Kelly McKerihen did her job in Round 10 by holding off an inspired Karina Bisson of Jersey 21-17. And lo and behold Lynn Greenland of Spain not only upset Debbie Wilford of Norfolk Island , ranked 9th in the World, she did it with gusto. The 21-8 loss for Wilford left her tied with McKerihen at 14 Match Points and dropped her below Canada's McKerihen in Pool 1 with the big drop in net points. Kelly now is NET(25), Wilford NET(21). Last round starts at 10PM our time and what a finish. Val Smith of New Zealand at 16 Pts. and 4 players tied at 14 points racing for home in Pool 1. Even wilder in Pool 2. Hong Kong defeated Scotland 21-20 in Round 10 to move into 4 way match point tie for 3rd as 6 teams are still in contention for the playoffs.
John Bezear and Ryan Bester squeezed by Zimbabwe 14-13 in Round 10 to maintain their tie with Wales and England with 18 Match points each. These are the three teams advancing to the playoffs but how they will rank is still to be decided by net shots. Unfortunately for the 0-10 Japan team their last two games are Wales ( lost 10-43 ) and Canada. Wales didn't and Canada can't let up as they pursue that important bye to the Semi Finals.
Sunday 2nd 7:30 AM
Eight straight by the Blastastic Boys and Kelly conquers two of the top singles players in the world.
John Bezear and Ryan Bester met the challenge yesterday by taking care of a good Malaysian team and then emphatically knocked off the front running Wales pair 18-8. Now we have a fine kettle of fish. Toss England into the Top Pot and there is a three way 16 point tie for the Preliminary bye prize. With that 10 point win, Canada has reeled in the Welsh team to a catchable 4 net point differential. Which brings up my disagreement with the 'highest net total of shots' tiebreaker. This has nothing to do with Bezear being already burnt by the rule in the Fours since we know rules can work ' for ye' and 'agin ya '. But rather what is the fairest method of ranking like teams. Taking the Men's Pairs as an example and using their current all in at 16 Points, the best way, are we not all proponents of settling it on the green if feasible, is to consider the match points only amongst the tied teams. Wales 27-10 England, Canada 18-8 Wales, England 19-17 Canada. Tied at 2 Match Points. Second tiebreaker - net points for the 3 teams- Canada +8, Wales +7, England -15. This likely sounds like a Canadian trying to find a way to benefit our team(s). Not. My purpose is simpler. Is there a better way. I am certain there was long discussion on all the rules and the 'whole net points' concept was selected. There is one more day, 2 games, in the Pairs Preliminaries. First place in the Pool may be decided on how bad Wales and Canada can beat the 0-9 Japanese team.
Kelly, Kelly, Kelly. You little scamper. First it was Val Smith of New Zealand number 3 in the world and now Karen Murphy from Australia the number four. That was a tough loss to Ruth Gilor of Israel at
18-21 in the last game yesterday but these are world class bowlers and you were challenging to the end.
Nevertheless playoff opportunity is still in play and Ruth could turn out to be the one who can boost you up the ladder. Your job is to win both today against Jersey and Botswana and then see if there remains magic in those Israeli bowls.
All victories are important as the teams head into the final day of the second stage of Preliminaries.
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster won their afternoon match against Japan while George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana were edged by a top three Chinese squad.
From the World Bowls manual, " For the 2012 Men's and Women's World Championships, 12 countries automatically qualified based on their overall team trophies - the Leonard Trophy and the Taylor Trophy." I am assuming the same qualification standards will be similar for entry to the 2016 World Bowls in Christchurch, New Zealand. Last day, 2 games each, 4 points possible, your skills make the goal achievable.
Saturday 1st 7:30 AM
John Bezear and Ryan Bester are motoring along the road to the medal store at a tidy pace. They lost to England in the opener but hit the accelerator to up their speed, moved into the passing lane and zipped by 6 opponents. Malaysia ( 3-3-1) are just ahead but it is the hotrod steered by Robert Weale that is on their radar. Weale and Jason Greenslade are 7-0 and have beat both New Zealand ( 24-10 ) and England ( 27-10) handily. Even a win by Canada might not catch the Welsh team ( Net 92) but the message and the need to grab a top 3 position is the immediate pursuit.
Kelly McKerihen did a gulp yesterday against a couple of skilled players competing for the top. Two losses drops her all the way to 5th from 1st. Easy to do in World Bowls. Real tough today with Karen Murphy of Australia waiting to meet and greet. However win 3 of 4 remaining games and a little help from your friends and a playoff spot is possible.
This seems to be Canada Meets Australia day. Kelly and Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster and George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana all do congregate with the hosts. Seems to me that it would be fitting to have some dessert from this sitting.
Friday 30th 9:30 AM
Canada won 8 games of 12 on the 'long day' but it was a tasty meal on one hand but just a snack on the other. Kelly McKerihen kept up her undefeated streak pushing it to 5 straight wins with her trifecta. A warmup with China and then a nailbiter 21-20 victory over Thailand and an equally close 21-19 match with Spain. Good bowlers know how to close and this young lady is honing her finishing touch. It also emphasizes the importance of beating good but not top teams to have a shot at the golden ring.
Our on the scene reporter Ryan Bester commented that John Bezear "put on a clinic" in their match this day. Doesn't that make a nifty (Pairs) of instructors for your lesson in bowls. Three up, three down in an efficient day and the boys are just behind Wales in their Pool. Two more games today that are rated as necessary wins for gaining the semi final bye.
The good news is all the Canadian teams won their last game in the evening in Adelaide. The bad news is both Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster and George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana lost the two early games in the day. The playoff road is steeper but there was 'a little train that could.'
Thursday 29th 10:00 AM
From the World Bowls site; 'New Zealand's World number three Val Smith beat World number four Karen Murphy of Australia , favoured by many to win this title, 21-20 in a 160 minute arm-wrestle.'
Does that make Kelly McKerihen at least number two in the World after she defeated Smith 21-8 in Round 2. A dandy start for Kelly as she takes her place along side the top women bowlers in the world.
Of course that is a pressure statement and one game doesn't vault a player to the top. I beat Ryan Bester in a game of singles once and the World Bowls organization declined to give me a bye to the 2012 gold game. There are many challenges to be faced and much to be done in the next 4 days for Kelly to support my pronouncement. But win or lose this event, there is a difference. It is not my words but it is her believe that she can compete with anyone.
A good show by the rest of the Canadian team on the opening day of the second stage of preliminaries.
All split and all will be striving for at least 2 out of 3 victories on the ' long day'.
England edged John Bezear and Ryan Bester 19-17 but another New Zealand team fell to Canada as they the pair gained back some needed playoff pursuit ground with a 26-13 win over a top pool team.
Role reversal for George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana as they defeated the #2 team from the 2008 Worlds, Fiji, in the opening round but the Kiwis exacted some revenge by their 20-14 win. The lead for New Zealand is world class bowler Tony Grantham who is a very good friend of our champion Canadian and International bowler Leeanne Chinery. She wouldn't gloat but she would smile with satisfaction.
Good comeback in round 2 for Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster. They dropped the opener to a strong Phillippines team, top of the pool in the Pairs, but came out with gusto and beat Israel 21-16. A durable foursome that could see that endurance an advantage today.
Pool Standings - After 11 Rounds - FINAL PRELIMINARY RANKINGS
Top Teams + Canada
Top 3 Teams Advance To Playoffs - DIRECT TO SEMI FINALS
- TO POST SECTIONAL PLAY OFF [ Random draw among 2nd and 3rd place teams of each Pool.]
Singles
Pool 1 Pool 2
WICKS:
Wednesday 28th 10:00 AM
How about that Ryan Bester 11-0 in the Prelims. Born in Canada, developed his game under the tutelage
of Dad Bob, honed his skill playing with father and brothers Chris and Mike and did all that in the little town of Hanover. Sure he is now a resident of Australia but we are not letting go of his coattail. Still the same courteous, lowkeyed, dynamic young man. World class in all ways.
Ryan moves directly to the Singles Semifinal on December 7th. Meanwhile he and John Bezear get down to business today in the Preliminary Pairs.
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana were in 2nd place and in the playoffs going into the last game. But their dilemma was the opponent - 1st place Australia, and that Scotland and South Africa were 2 match points behind with higher net total of shots. The 22-7 loss to Australia and wins by the chasers turned over the standings. But the significant irony of a great run by this foursome is the fact that they beat Scotland 21-13 and South Africa 19-9 on Day One of the competition. Sometimes bowls just aren't fair.
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed were reaching high but just out of their grasp. They finished with a flourish knocking off Fiji 25-6 but needed that win over 1st place Scotland to be in the top three.
Scotland won 21-12 but I was reading a comment by Ryan Bester watching the game that Kelly whacked the jack towards the ditch for 3 but , oh no, it rebounded off the backboard to settle near 3 shots for Scotland. We can only speculate but a 6 point swing was a knee bender.
Marg Lepere and Jackie Foster did split their two games on the final day but I know their goal was for a better preliminary record. Use it as a warm up for the Fours competition starting today. Marg will skip and Jackie will lead with the Lauras' in the middle.
Tuesday 27th 9:00 AM
After Round 9 Bester For (189) Against (102) Net (87) ; De Sousa F (182) A(117) N(65). A Bye to the semi finals is the prize for finishing on top.
The John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana team did what they had to do with 2 wins yesterday and moved into 2nd place all alone in the 5 team race for the 3 playoff positions. In reviewing all the games to be played in this Pool today it appears that the Fab Five should all win in Round 10 - including Canada over Fiji (2-6-1). That means the 'perfect storm' will be created for the final game on the final day of the Fours preliminaries. Canada with Australian native John Bezear skipping will play host Australia. It could happen that the winner finishes first, the loser is knocked out of further play. WOW!
Hey Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed. Well done with your big 17-12 win over South Africa yesterday followed by the 2nd for the day over China. That kept you in the hunt for a playoff position entering the last day of competition. But the gritty work has just begun. You must win both games today including your morning match against the 8-1 Scottish team. A tie in Match points with South Africa will not be enough. After Round 9 South Africa F (169) A (96) Net (73) ; Canada F (121) A (118) N (3).
Believe.
I like that Margie Lepere and Jackie Foster. I am looking from afar but it appears to me that you had two competitive matches against the top Australian team and Israel. Finish strong.
Monday 26th 7:00 AM
Ryan Bester is on a mission. Focused, robotic consistency, 7 straight wins, opponents averaging 11 points scored. He sees it but knows the road has curves yet to be negotiated. Three of Ryan's next 4 games are against opponents that are in the Top Four of his pool. Sealing the Pool playoff business starts in the next game against South Africa.
What a dandy race for a medal is taking place in the Men's Fours Canada Pool. One Match Point separates 5 teams and John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana are smack dab in the mix. You divide 3 playoff positions by 5 and you know every point earned is a climber towards podium opportunity. Today provides a significant chance for Canada to solidify their place in the top rankings by meeting Brazil and Botswana who are currently in the bottom. Automatic, never, favoured, yes.
A big, big game for Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed in Round 8 against the 6-1 South African team. They are chasing 3 teams and a win in this match along with 1st place Scotland beating Wales makes the chase oh so close. They kept themselves in the hunt with an important 18-11 win over Jersey yesterday to stay alive.
First a correction. The Margie Lepere, Jackie Foster results were, at first, listed as a 20-19 win over the Netherlands. I should have listened to reporter Ryan when he indicated they had been edged out of that win. Obviously Margie and Jackie had a dandy match against a team fighting for the top. The playoffs are not to be but there will be no lack of total effort in their spoiler role. How about today against Australia. They certainly put a kink in the South African teams plans with a 25-14 win yesterday.
Sunday 25th 12:30 PM
It's Hump Day. The teams cross the Tournament International Date Line. It's up and over the half way wall. This day will be a window to who contends and who pretends. Stabalize your position or fall into the pack ----- or even way back.
Ryan Bester plays the 1 loss Fijian, Bezear, Whitelaw, Larue, Santana have to win a pair as the games get tougher later.
Two solid teams in South Africa and Fiji will test the Lepere, Foster duo and the story is the same for McKerihen, Hudson and Seed. Jersey and Israel are coming a calling. Win two and you can break a smile, a split keeps you paddling but nary a point means dig out the bailing bucket to stay afloat.
Sunday 25th 7:00 AM
This is like the Midnight Special, Black Friday everyday. They stand in line all night to take their turn at trying to claim something they really want while the rest of us slumber away to rise and check how they did. Well let me tell you the Canadian Team made a good haul. Twelve games, 9 wins 3 losses, the men were 5 out of 6 and the ladies each won 2 out of 3.
The Bester Beat goes on, 3 more wins, +37 point differential for the day and the top of the pool all by himself. The John Bezear crew lost to the undefeated USA squad but came right back to win their next 2 and stay on the heels of the Neil Furman led Americans in the playoff race.
Good work by Lepere and Foster to win their first two of the tournament including nipping the Netherlands 20-19 in the final game of the long day.
And not to be outdone, the Mckerihen trio lost early but jumped to the fore the rest of the day and stay in the hunt for a playoff run.
Saturday 24th 11:00 AM
Twenty seven teams and 240 bowlers marched in the opening ceremonies.
Always enjoy different cultures with their unique music and dance. The Australia Aboriginal group entertained while the President of World Bowls gave his opening remarks. I couldn't play a didgeridoo
but I think I have used those dance steps on occasion. Come to think of it it may have been at Erin and Craig's wedding.
Speaking of the Top of the World our own Alberta, Canada Margaret Fettes is the Deputy President of World Bowls. A very significant position and honour for Margaret and Canada.
Both Tim Mason, Bowls Brigade - iLawnBowl, and Michael Spadafora, Talking Bowls in Canada, on FACEBOOK are keeping us up to date and informed. And to top it off Ryan Bester himself is our on the scene reporter sending way up here immediate results direct from the fields of play.
The World Bowls site - save and peruse for the next 2 weeks - www.worldbowls2012.com
The host Australians went 6-0 on day 1 including beating some top talent.
A familar face to some Canadians is Robbie Dobbins an assistant coach with the Australian team. He has been a guest coach in the past for our bowlers.
Did Unky sneak onto the USA Fours team?
Saturday 24th 6:15 AM
KAZAAM BAAROOM - Bester, Bezear,Whitelaw,Larue,Santana make it a basket full of wins on Opening Day. Don't you think as we rise they are even higher. But they are an experienced International playing group and know the pursuit for the golden ring has just begun.
Kelly, Laura and Laura come back after their first round loss with a good close win over Cyprus.
Margie and Jackie are 0-2 but they also faced two of the teams that will likely be serious contenders in the chase for medals.
Saturday 24th 12:50AM
KAZAAM - Men leap into action with a pair of victories over top end opponents. They are number 1 in the world on this reporters pool ladder. No statistical tie breakdown to rank the 1 game winners on this fair day. They got it on and on the top they may.
Friday 23rd
The preliminary games are being played at the Lockleys and Holdfast Bay Bowling Clubs.
News from the Holdfast Bay Club website when the SA International was held in May :
"While greenkeeper Kevin Lewis and apprentice Max Kleinig continue their greens preparations at Holdfast Bay Bowling Club visiting teams are arriving in the city prior to the SA International. Lewis has been with the club for over 20 years and is recognised as one of the State’s best when it comes to greens management and the surfaces look excellent going into the upcoming six day event....
Plus a taste of Fiji. A joyous group to be around.
Wednesday 21st
So you want to play high level, intense, world class bowls. Required - endurance - a minimum of 10 consecutive days, 8 X 2 games and 2 X 3 game days. Allow 4 1/2 hours for each game. That makes it 9 hour days on the 'leisurely' roll ups and a vigorous 13 1/2 hours on the long days. But of course you didn't travel half way around the world to be finished after the preliminary rounds. Add on your playoff involvement in your two assigned disciplines. That begs the question, are you working on your physical training as well as your technical skill development?
The format at International competitions has changed. Taking the Men's Singles, Fours as an example, which will be played first in Adelaide, that grouping would have played to a conclusion formerly - Preliminaries, Playoffs, Medal Rounds.
Continuing with the example, now the Men's Singles and Fours will play 5 days of Preliminaries, establish the final sectional rankings, and proceed directly to the Preliminaries in Men's Pairs and Triples.
Ten days of Preliminaries and then 6 days of Playoffs and Medal Rounds.
A better way to build the excitement for the final fireworks display.
The headliner Final, Final ---------------------------------------SINGLES.
Tuesday 20th
Ryan Bester - Arguably the best bowler ever in Canada.
International playing achievements: 2004 World Pairs Champion; 2005 Asia Pacific Singles Champion, 2005 Asia Pacific Overall Team Champion; 2006 Commonwealth Games Singles bronze Medal; 2007 Asia Pacific Singles Silver, Pairs Bronze Medal; 2007 Atlantic Singles Gold; 2008 World Bowls Singles Bronze, MAP Pairs and Singles Champion. 'GregorBowls blog'. 'David Anderson', 2007 Atlantic.
Ryan's Round 1 opponent. Hizlee Bin Abdul Rais - " In stellar form after recently securing the 2012 World Champion of Champions crown". 'World Champs Event Guide'
Rather a talented, experienced lot the Canadians face on the Scottish teams.
The Australian team average age is 30. Half of the team are in their 20's. 'Michael Spadafora was tracking.'
CONDITIONS OF PLAY: excerpts
The winner of each section will advance to the semifinal playoffs.
The second and third placed teams from each section qualify to playoff for advancement to the championship semifinals.
Two points for a win. One point for a tie.
"The composition of each section in each discipline is based on the finishing position in each discipline relating to the 2008 World Championships."
The higher a country finished in their respective 2008 disciplines, the more challenging will be the match in Round 1. For example - Mens Singles Section(Pool) 1, Number 1 Malaysia vs Number 3 Canada; Section (Pool) 2, Number 2 Australia vs Number 4 New Zealand.
Other Canadian First Round matches based on the 2008 finishing positions;
Womens Pairs - #5 Canada vs #7 Scotland
Womens Triples - #9 Philippines vs #11 Canada
Mens Fours - #6 Scotland vs #8 Canada
Singles
MEN
GOLD
Leif Selby, Australia
SILVER
Ryan Bester, Canada
BRONZE
Shannon McIIroy, New Zealand
Gerry Baker, South Africa
WOMEN
GOLD
Karen Murphy, Australia
SILVER
Val Smith, New Zealand
BRONZE
Kelly McKerihen, Canada
Natalie Melmore, England
Pairs
Pairs
MEN
GOLD
Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Scotland
SILVER
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia
BRONZE
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England
WOMEN
GOLD
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia
SILVER
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand
BRONZE
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland
Ainie Knight, Milagros Witheridge, Philippines
GOLD
Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Scotland
SILVER
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia
BRONZE
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England
WOMEN
GOLD
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia
SILVER
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand
BRONZE
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland
Ainie Knight, Milagros Witheridge, Philippines
Singles
Saturday, December 8, 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Sunday, December 9, 9:00 AM Adelaide]
MEN
Semifinal 2
Leif Selby, Australia 21
Shannon McIIroy, New Zealand 19
Saturday, December 8, 9:30 P.M. EST Canada [Sunday, December 9, 1:00 PM Adelaide]
WOMEN
FINAL
Val Smith, New Zealand 17
Karen Murphy, Australia 21
Sunday, December 9, 1:00 A.M. EST Canada [Sunday, December 9, 4:30 PM Adelaide]
MEN
FINAL
Ryan Bester, Canada 19
Leif Selby, Australia 21
Wednesday 5th 11:30 PM
Kelly McKerihen and Ryan Bester start the day and end the day in their Singles Semi Finals.
Both Kelly and Ryan beat their respective opponents in the Preliminaries but it is a new day and a different setting. This is the prelude to prime time, the production of the premier Singles event that will bring the 16 day 2012 World Bowls to its conclusion. There are two Canadians mighty amped to have a leading role in the grand finale 'show'.
Singles
Thursday, December 6, 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Friday, December 7, 9:00 AM Adelaide]
WOMEN
Semifinal 1
Val Smith, New Zealand 21
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 12
Fours
Thursday, December 6, 6:30 P.M. EST Canada [Friday, December 7, 10:00 AM Adelaide]
FINAL
WOMEN
Margaret Letham, Caroline Brown, Lynn Stein, Michelle Cooper, Scotland 18
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia 15
Singles
Thursday, December 6, 9:30 P.M. EST Canada [Friday, December 7, 1:00 PM Adelaide]
WOMEN
Semifinal 2
Natalie Melmore, England 15
Karen Murphy, Australia 21
Fours
FINAL
Thursday, December 6, 11:00 P.M. EST Canada [Friday, December 7, 2:30 PM Adelaide]
MEN
Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 22
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa 13
Singles
Friday, December 7, 1:00 A.M. EST Canada [Friday, December 7, 4:30 PM Adelaide]
MEN
Semifinal 1
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Gerry Baker, South Africa 10
Triples
Triples
Friday, December 7, 6:30 P.M. EST Canada [Saturday, December 8, 10:00 AM Adelaide]
WOMEN
WOMEN
FINAL
Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand 9
Karen Murphy, Lynsey Armitage, Natasha Van Eldik, Australia 21
Friday, December 7, 11:00 P.M. EST Canada [Saturday, December 8, 2:30 PM Adelaide]
MEN
FINAL
Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland 13
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 12
Triples
MEN
GOLD
Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland
SILVER
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia
BRONZE
Neil Booth, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland
Ali Forsyth, Matt Gallop, Tony Grantham, New Zealand
WOMEN
GOLD
Karen Murphy, Lynsey Armitage, Natasha Van Eldik, Australia
SILVER
Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand
BRONZE
Lynn Stein, Caroline Brown, Michelle Cooper, Scotland
Kathy Pearce, Caroline Taylor, Lisa Forey, Wales
Fours
MEN
GOLD
Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia
SILVER
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa
BRONZE
Neil Booth, Ian McClure, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland
Alex Marshall, Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland
WOMEN
GOLD
Margaret Letham, Caroline Brown, Lynn Stein, Michelle Cooper, Scotland
SILVER
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia
BRONZE
Colleen Piketh, Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa
Anwen Butten, Kathy Pearce, Hannah Smith, Lisa Forey, Wales
Wednesday 5th 2:00 AMMandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand 9
Karen Murphy, Lynsey Armitage, Natasha Van Eldik, Australia 21
Friday, December 7, 11:00 P.M. EST Canada [Saturday, December 8, 2:30 PM Adelaide]
MEN
FINAL
Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland 13
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 12
Triples
MEN
GOLD
Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland
SILVER
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia
BRONZE
Neil Booth, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland
Ali Forsyth, Matt Gallop, Tony Grantham, New Zealand
WOMEN
GOLD
Karen Murphy, Lynsey Armitage, Natasha Van Eldik, Australia
SILVER
Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand
BRONZE
Lynn Stein, Caroline Brown, Michelle Cooper, Scotland
Kathy Pearce, Caroline Taylor, Lisa Forey, Wales
Fours
MEN
GOLD
Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia
SILVER
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa
BRONZE
Neil Booth, Ian McClure, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland
Alex Marshall, Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland
WOMEN
GOLD
Margaret Letham, Caroline Brown, Lynn Stein, Michelle Cooper, Scotland
SILVER
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia
BRONZE
Colleen Piketh, Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa
Anwen Butten, Kathy Pearce, Hannah Smith, Lisa Forey, Wales
Kelly McKerihen marches on. Down 4-11 to Ireland's Cliodhan Eadie in the knockout Playoff Round, Kelly stayed true to her controlled and consistent play this week. Back she roared to outscore Eadie 17-7 and booked her passage to the Singles Semi Final on Friday the 7th in Adelaide.{Thursday in Canada}.
The podium has been achieved, the goal remains to climb higher.
"On the adjacent rink, Canada's Kelly McKerihen also earned passage through to the semi-final after defeating Ireland's Cliodhan Eadie in a heated contested. With scores level 16 a piece after 18 ends, the vocal crowd was hard pressed to tip a victor, but McKerihen was resolute in her attack, picking up successive shots on five ends before putting the final nail in the coffin with 3 shots on the 23rd end.For her troubles, McKerihen will confront reigning champion and world number three Val Smith for a berth in the gold medal decider." World Bowls Adelaide News.
Triples
Wednesday, December 5, 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6, 9:00 AM Adelaide]
POST-SECTIONAL PLAYOFFS
MEN
Game A
Neil Booth, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland 15
Game B
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 13
WOMEN
Game A
Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand 16
Game B
Kathy Pearce, Caroline Taylor, Lisa Forey, Wales 12
Pairs
Wednesday, December 5, 6:30 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6, 10:00 AM Adelaide]
FINALS
MEN
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia 13
Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Scotland 18
WOMEN
Wednesday, December 5, 11:00 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6, 2:30 PM Adelaide]
WOMEN
Wednesday, December 5, 11:00 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6, 2:30 PM Adelaide]
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia 16
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand 12
Triples
Wednesday, December 5, 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6 1:30 PM Adelaide]
MEN
Semifinal 1
Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland 17
Neil Booth, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland 5
Semifinal 2
Ali Forsyth, Matt Gallop, Tony Grantham, New Zealand 10
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 12
WOMEN
Semifinal 1
Lynn Stein, Caroline Brown, Michelle Cooper, Scotland 10
Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand 15
Semifinal 2
Karen Murphy, Lynsey Armitage, Natasha Van Eldik, Australia 18
Kathy Pearce, Caroline Taylor, Lisa Forey, Wales 6
Fours
Tuesday, December 4 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Wednesday, December 5 9:00 AM Adelaide]
POST-SECTIONAL PLAYOFFS
MEN
Game A
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa 16
Game B
Alex Marshall, Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland 19
WOMEN
Game A
Colleen Piketh, Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa 24
Game B
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia 18
SEMIFINALS
Tuesday, December 4 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Wednesday, December 5 1:30 PM Adelaide]
MEN
Semifinal 1
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa 19
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa 19
Neil Booth, Ian McClure, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland 18
Semifinal 2
Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 23
Alex Marshall, Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland 22
FINAL
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa
Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia
BRONZE
Alex Marshall, Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland 22
FINAL
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa
Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia
BRONZE
Neil Booth, Ian McClure, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland
Alex Marshall, Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland
Alex Marshall, Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland
WOMEN
Semifinal 1
Margaret Letham, Caroline Brown, Lynn Stein, Michelle Cooper, Scotland 19
Colleen Piketh, Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa 6
Semifinal 2
Anwen Butten, Kathy Pearce, Hannah Smith, Lisa Forey, Wales 14
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia 15
FINAL
Margaret Letham, Caroline Brown, Lynn Stein, Michelle Cooper, Scotland
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia
BRONZE
Colleen Piketh, Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa
Anwen Butten, Kathy Pearce, Hannah Smith, Lisa Forey, Wales
FINAL
Margaret Letham, Caroline Brown, Lynn Stein, Michelle Cooper, Scotland
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia
BRONZE
Colleen Piketh, Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa
Anwen Butten, Kathy Pearce, Hannah Smith, Lisa Forey, Wales
Singles
Tuesday, December 4 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Wednesday, December 5 1:30 PM Adelaide]
POST-SECTIONAL PLAYOFFS
MEN
Game A
Gerry Baker, South Africa 21
Game B
Shannon McIIroy, New Zealand 21
WOMEN
Game A
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Game B
Karen Murphy, Australia 21
Tuesday 4th 1:45 AM
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada lost to Australia 25-12 while Scotland were edging England 13-12 in the Pairs semifinals. A great run for this new pairs team. Lost their 1st game in the Preliminaries and then reeled off 10 straight before this match.The final is scheduled for December 6th at 10AM Adelaide, [ December 5th 6:30 PM EST, Canada ]. Both Canada and England will be awarded bronze medals.
Kelly McKerihen starts her quest for a Singles medal with her Post-Sectional match against Cliodhan Eadie of Ireland. That game begins at 10:00 PM Canadian EST time.
Monday 3rd 9:30 PM
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada and Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia in Pairs Semifinal at 10 PM EST. A whole lot of Australian connections in this match.
Monday 3rd 1:30 AM
Kelly McKerihen qualifies for playoffs. Kelly closes with 2 wins on the final day and nips Norfolk Island by 3 net shots.John Bezear and Ryan Bester finish 1st in their Pool. Malaysia beat Wales 24-14 in the last round to tumble the Welsh side to third. George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana finish with gusto winning both games on the last day. Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster finished with a loss to Brunei but had a spirited game to close out the Preliminaries.
PAIRS
Monday, December 3 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Tuesday, December 4 9:00 AM Adelaide]
POST-SECTIONAL PLAYOFFS
MEN
Game A
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia 23
Ian McClure, Martin McHugh, Ireland 14
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia 23
Game B
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England 24
Robert Weale, Jason Greenslade, Wales 9
WOMEN
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England 24
WOMEN
Game A
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland 22
Anwen Butten, Hannah Smith, Wales 14
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland 22
Game B
Ellen Falkner, Wendy King, England 17
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand 18
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand 18
Monday, December 3 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Tuesday, December 4 1:30 PM Adelaide]
SEMIFINALS
MEN
Semifinal 1
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 12
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia 25
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia 25
Semi final 2
Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Scotland 13
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England 12
FINAL
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia
Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Scotland
BRONZE
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England 12
FINAL
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia
Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Scotland
BRONZE
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England
WOMEN
Semifinal 1
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia 24
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland 1
Semifinal 2
Ainie Knight, Milagros Witheridge, Philippines 12
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand 13
FINAL
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand
BRONZE
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland
Ainie Knight, Milagros Witheridge, Philippines
FINAL
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand
BRONZE
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland
Ainie Knight, Milagros Witheridge, Philippines
Triples
Wednesday, December 5, 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6, 9:00 AM Adelaide]
POST-SECTIONAL PLAYOFFS
MEN
Game A
Ken Emura, Hisaharu, Kenta Hasebe, Japan
Neil Booth, James Talbot, Paul Daly, Ireland
Game B
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia
Terence Lee, Ricky Wong, Jimmy Tam, China
WOMEN
Game A
Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand
Alice Lee, Jessie So, Tammy Tham, Hong Kong
Game B
Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa
Kathy Pearce, Caroline Taylor, Lisa Forey, Wales
Pairs
Wednesday, December 5, 6:30 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6, 10:00 AM Adelaide]
FINALS
MEN
Aron Sherriff, Leif Selby, Australia
Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Scotland
WOMEN
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia
Jo Edwards,Val Smith, New Zealand
Triples
Wednesday, December 5, 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, December 6 1:30 PM Adelaide]
SEMIFINALS
MEN
Semifinal 1
Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland
Winner Game A
Semifinal 2
Ali Forsyth, Matt Gallop, Tony Grantham, New Zealand
Winner Game B
WOMEN
Semifinal 1
Lynn Stein, Caroline Brown, Michelle Cooper, Scotland
Winner Game A
Semifinal 2
Karen Murphy, Lynsey Armitage, Natasha Van Eldik, Australia
Winner Game B
Kelly McKerihen did her job in Round 10 by holding off an inspired Karina Bisson of Jersey 21-17. And lo and behold Lynn Greenland of Spain not only upset Debbie Wilford of Norfolk Island , ranked 9th in the World, she did it with gusto. The 21-8 loss for Wilford left her tied with McKerihen at 14 Match Points and dropped her below Canada's McKerihen in Pool 1 with the big drop in net points. Kelly now is NET(25), Wilford NET(21). Last round starts at 10PM our time and what a finish. Val Smith of New Zealand at 16 Pts. and 4 players tied at 14 points racing for home in Pool 1. Even wilder in Pool 2. Hong Kong defeated Scotland 21-20 in Round 10 to move into 4 way match point tie for 3rd as 6 teams are still in contention for the playoffs.
John Bezear and Ryan Bester squeezed by Zimbabwe 14-13 in Round 10 to maintain their tie with Wales and England with 18 Match points each. These are the three teams advancing to the playoffs but how they will rank is still to be decided by net shots. Unfortunately for the 0-10 Japan team their last two games are Wales ( lost 10-43 ) and Canada. Wales didn't and Canada can't let up as they pursue that important bye to the Semi Finals.
Sunday 2nd 7:30 AM
Eight straight by the Blastastic Boys and Kelly conquers two of the top singles players in the world.
John Bezear and Ryan Bester met the challenge yesterday by taking care of a good Malaysian team and then emphatically knocked off the front running Wales pair 18-8. Now we have a fine kettle of fish. Toss England into the Top Pot and there is a three way 16 point tie for the Preliminary bye prize. With that 10 point win, Canada has reeled in the Welsh team to a catchable 4 net point differential. Which brings up my disagreement with the 'highest net total of shots' tiebreaker. This has nothing to do with Bezear being already burnt by the rule in the Fours since we know rules can work ' for ye' and 'agin ya '. But rather what is the fairest method of ranking like teams. Taking the Men's Pairs as an example and using their current all in at 16 Points, the best way, are we not all proponents of settling it on the green if feasible, is to consider the match points only amongst the tied teams. Wales 27-10 England, Canada 18-8 Wales, England 19-17 Canada. Tied at 2 Match Points. Second tiebreaker - net points for the 3 teams- Canada +8, Wales +7, England -15. This likely sounds like a Canadian trying to find a way to benefit our team(s). Not. My purpose is simpler. Is there a better way. I am certain there was long discussion on all the rules and the 'whole net points' concept was selected. There is one more day, 2 games, in the Pairs Preliminaries. First place in the Pool may be decided on how bad Wales and Canada can beat the 0-9 Japanese team.
Kelly, Kelly, Kelly. You little scamper. First it was Val Smith of New Zealand number 3 in the world and now Karen Murphy from Australia the number four. That was a tough loss to Ruth Gilor of Israel at
18-21 in the last game yesterday but these are world class bowlers and you were challenging to the end.
Nevertheless playoff opportunity is still in play and Ruth could turn out to be the one who can boost you up the ladder. Your job is to win both today against Jersey and Botswana and then see if there remains magic in those Israeli bowls.
All victories are important as the teams head into the final day of the second stage of Preliminaries.
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster won their afternoon match against Japan while George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana were edged by a top three Chinese squad.
From the World Bowls manual, " For the 2012 Men's and Women's World Championships, 12 countries automatically qualified based on their overall team trophies - the Leonard Trophy and the Taylor Trophy." I am assuming the same qualification standards will be similar for entry to the 2016 World Bowls in Christchurch, New Zealand. Last day, 2 games each, 4 points possible, your skills make the goal achievable.
Saturday 1st 7:30 AM
John Bezear and Ryan Bester are motoring along the road to the medal store at a tidy pace. They lost to England in the opener but hit the accelerator to up their speed, moved into the passing lane and zipped by 6 opponents. Malaysia ( 3-3-1) are just ahead but it is the hotrod steered by Robert Weale that is on their radar. Weale and Jason Greenslade are 7-0 and have beat both New Zealand ( 24-10 ) and England ( 27-10) handily. Even a win by Canada might not catch the Welsh team ( Net 92) but the message and the need to grab a top 3 position is the immediate pursuit.
Kelly McKerihen did a gulp yesterday against a couple of skilled players competing for the top. Two losses drops her all the way to 5th from 1st. Easy to do in World Bowls. Real tough today with Karen Murphy of Australia waiting to meet and greet. However win 3 of 4 remaining games and a little help from your friends and a playoff spot is possible.
This seems to be Canada Meets Australia day. Kelly and Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster and George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana all do congregate with the hosts. Seems to me that it would be fitting to have some dessert from this sitting.
Friday 30th 9:30 AM
Canada won 8 games of 12 on the 'long day' but it was a tasty meal on one hand but just a snack on the other. Kelly McKerihen kept up her undefeated streak pushing it to 5 straight wins with her trifecta. A warmup with China and then a nailbiter 21-20 victory over Thailand and an equally close 21-19 match with Spain. Good bowlers know how to close and this young lady is honing her finishing touch. It also emphasizes the importance of beating good but not top teams to have a shot at the golden ring.
Our on the scene reporter Ryan Bester commented that John Bezear "put on a clinic" in their match this day. Doesn't that make a nifty (Pairs) of instructors for your lesson in bowls. Three up, three down in an efficient day and the boys are just behind Wales in their Pool. Two more games today that are rated as necessary wins for gaining the semi final bye.
The good news is all the Canadian teams won their last game in the evening in Adelaide. The bad news is both Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster and George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana lost the two early games in the day. The playoff road is steeper but there was 'a little train that could.'
Thursday 29th 10:00 AM
From the World Bowls site; 'New Zealand's World number three Val Smith beat World number four Karen Murphy of Australia , favoured by many to win this title, 21-20 in a 160 minute arm-wrestle.'
Does that make Kelly McKerihen at least number two in the World after she defeated Smith 21-8 in Round 2. A dandy start for Kelly as she takes her place along side the top women bowlers in the world.
Of course that is a pressure statement and one game doesn't vault a player to the top. I beat Ryan Bester in a game of singles once and the World Bowls organization declined to give me a bye to the 2012 gold game. There are many challenges to be faced and much to be done in the next 4 days for Kelly to support my pronouncement. But win or lose this event, there is a difference. It is not my words but it is her believe that she can compete with anyone.
A good show by the rest of the Canadian team on the opening day of the second stage of preliminaries.
All split and all will be striving for at least 2 out of 3 victories on the ' long day'.
England edged John Bezear and Ryan Bester 19-17 but another New Zealand team fell to Canada as they the pair gained back some needed playoff pursuit ground with a 26-13 win over a top pool team.
Role reversal for George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana as they defeated the #2 team from the 2008 Worlds, Fiji, in the opening round but the Kiwis exacted some revenge by their 20-14 win. The lead for New Zealand is world class bowler Tony Grantham who is a very good friend of our champion Canadian and International bowler Leeanne Chinery. She wouldn't gloat but she would smile with satisfaction.
Good comeback in round 2 for Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed and Jackie Foster. They dropped the opener to a strong Phillippines team, top of the pool in the Pairs, but came out with gusto and beat Israel 21-16. A durable foursome that could see that endurance an advantage today.
Second Stage of Preliminaries
Pool Standings - After 11 Rounds
Top 3 Teams + Ties and Canada
Match Points Only
Singles After R11
Pool 1 Pool 2
1. N. Zealand 16 Pts Net(73) 1. England 16 Pts
2. Australia 16 Net(65) 2. South Africa 14 Net(36)
3. Canada 16 Net(31) 3. Ireland 14 Net(34)
4. Norfolk I. 16 Net(28) 4. Hong Kong 14 Net(32)
5. Brunei 14 Net(24)
6. Netherlands 14 Net(23)
5. Brunei 14 Net(24)
6. Netherlands 14 Net(23)
Pairs After R11
Pool 1 Pool 2
1. Canada 20 Pts Net(98) 1. Scotland 20 Pts
2. England 20 Net(69) 2. Australia 19
3. Wales 18 3. Ireland 18
Triples After R11
Pool 1 Pool 2
1. Scotland 19 Pts 1. New Zealand 20 Pts
2. Japan 16 2. Australia 18
3. Ireland 15 3. China 14
7. Canada 10
7. Canada 10
Fours After R11
Pool 1 Pool 2
1. Scotland 21 Pts 1. Wales 22 Pts
2. Malaysia 20 2. England 18
3. Philippines 16 3. S. Africa 15
10. Canada 6
10. Canada 6
Round 1
Wednesday, November 28 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, November, 29 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Milagros Witheridge, Philippines 13
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 17
Jamie Chestney, Graham Shadwell, England 19
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 19
Samuela Tuikiligana, Arun Kumar, Abdul Kalim, Fiji 10
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 5
Rosita Bradbom, Ainie Knight, Asuncion Bruce, Hazel Jagonoy, Phiippines 23
Round 2
Wednesday, November 28 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Thursday, November 29 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Val Smith, New Zealand 18
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 26
Richard Girvan, Shannon McIIroy, New Zealand 13
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 14
Ali Forsyth, Matt Gallop, Tony Grantham, New Zealand 20
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 21
Tamar Kamzel, Edna Zomberg, Irit Grencel, Beverly Polatinsky, Israel 16
Round 3
Thursday, November 29 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Friday, November, 30 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Friday Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms, possibly scattered for a period during the morning. Winds S/SW and light tending W/SW 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day.
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Yu Xiao Yan, China 12
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Christopher Dagpin, Hommer Mercado, Philippines 14
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 7
Graham Snyman, Ewald Vermeulen, Jean Viljoen, Namibia 15
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 16
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia 28
Round 4
Thursday, November 29 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Friday, November 30 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Songsin Tsao, Thailand 20
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 20
Malcolm De Sousa, Greg Davis, Jersey 8
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 9
Thomas Greechan, Jamie MacDonald, Lee Nixon, Jersey 22
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 7
Obopile Mosimanyyana, Tirelo Buckley, Bonnie Fox, Lillian Tebele, Botswana 24
Round 5
Friday November, 30 2:30 AM EST Canada [Friday, November, 30 6:00 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Lynn Greenland, Spain 19
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 23
Frank Pain, Paul Brown, Spain 13
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 16
Brahim Haji Naim, Haiji Ibrahim, Haiji Rosli, Bujang Md Ali, Brunei 14
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 15
Thong Oomen, Kesanee Wongssopa, Orawan Sodok, C. Kotchawong, Thailand 11
Round 6
Friday, November 30 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Saturday, December 1 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Adelaide for Saturday Partly cloudy, 24C. Southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 25 to 35 km/h in the afternoon.
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 11
Caroline Taylor, Wales 21
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 23
Danny Ho, Andy Chan, Hong Kong 10
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 29
Kitso Robert, Remmy Kebapetswe, Kabo Gaboutloeloe, Botswana 6
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 10
Margaret Letham, Caroline Brown, Lynn Stein, Michelle Cooper, Scotland 25
Round 7
Friday, November 30 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Saturday, December 30 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 18
Debbie Wilford, Norfolk Island 21
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 22
Neil Furman, Aaron Zangl, USA 11
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 9
Roy Garden, Tom Craven, Manuel Silva, Zimbabwe 18
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 11
Sheri Fletcher, Janet Dando, Margaret Lawley, Deborah Colquhoun, Spain 19
Round 8
Saturday, December 1 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Sunday, December 2 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Karen Murphy, Australia 7
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 20
Hizlee Bin Abdul Rais, Soufi Bin Rusli, Malaysia 13
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 6
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 24
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 14
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Natasha VanEldik, Lynsey Armitage, Australia 26
Round 9
Saturday, December 1 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Sunday, December 2 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 18
Ruth Gilor, Israel 21
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 18
Robert Weale, Jason Greenslade, Wales 8
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 14
Terence Lee, Ricky Wong, Jimmy Tam, China 15
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 19
Nanami Yoshimoto, Masako Satoh, Hiroko Emura, Hiroko Mori, Japan 12
Round 10
Sunday, December 2 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Monday, December 3 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Monday Partly cloudy. Isolated showers developing in the afternoon. This morning 13 C, this afternoon, 21C
Light winds becoming SW 25 to 35 km/h in the morning.
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Karina Bisson 17
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 14
Richard Hayden, Clive Robertson, Zimbabwe 13
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 20
Angelo Morales, Ronald Lising, Emmanuel Portacio, Philippines 10
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 8
Jo Edwards, Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand 25
Round 11
Sunday, December 2 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Monday, December 3 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Pauline Lekone, Botswana 15
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 27
Hirokazu Mori, Junji Goda, Japan 11
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 19
Gary Oughton, Fabio Melo, Ascendino Melo Neto, Brazil 13
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 16
Hj Mohd Rosita, Muntiol Ajijah, Jamal Nafsiah, Munttol Isah, Brunei 21
Round 3
Thursday, November 29 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Friday, November, 30 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Friday Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms, possibly scattered for a period during the morning. Winds S/SW and light tending W/SW 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day.
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Yu Xiao Yan, China 12
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Christopher Dagpin, Hommer Mercado, Philippines 14
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 7
Graham Snyman, Ewald Vermeulen, Jean Viljoen, Namibia 15
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 16
A. Kamis, N. Mohd Noor, Z. Khalid, A. Arshad, Malaysia 28
Round 4
Thursday, November 29 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Friday, November 30 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Songsin Tsao, Thailand 20
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 20
Malcolm De Sousa, Greg Davis, Jersey 8
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 9
Thomas Greechan, Jamie MacDonald, Lee Nixon, Jersey 22
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 7
Obopile Mosimanyyana, Tirelo Buckley, Bonnie Fox, Lillian Tebele, Botswana 24
Round 5
Friday November, 30 2:30 AM EST Canada [Friday, November, 30 6:00 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Lynn Greenland, Spain 19
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 23
Frank Pain, Paul Brown, Spain 13
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 16
Brahim Haji Naim, Haiji Ibrahim, Haiji Rosli, Bujang Md Ali, Brunei 14
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 15
Thong Oomen, Kesanee Wongssopa, Orawan Sodok, C. Kotchawong, Thailand 11
Round 6
Friday, November 30 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Saturday, December 1 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Adelaide for Saturday Partly cloudy, 24C. Southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 25 to 35 km/h in the afternoon.
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 11
Caroline Taylor, Wales 21
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 23
Danny Ho, Andy Chan, Hong Kong 10
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 29
Kitso Robert, Remmy Kebapetswe, Kabo Gaboutloeloe, Botswana 6
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 10
Margaret Letham, Caroline Brown, Lynn Stein, Michelle Cooper, Scotland 25
Round 7
Friday, November 30 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Saturday, December 30 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 18
Debbie Wilford, Norfolk Island 21
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 22
Neil Furman, Aaron Zangl, USA 11
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 9
Roy Garden, Tom Craven, Manuel Silva, Zimbabwe 18
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 11
Sheri Fletcher, Janet Dando, Margaret Lawley, Deborah Colquhoun, Spain 19
Round 8
Saturday, December 1 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Sunday, December 2 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Karen Murphy, Australia 7
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 20
Hizlee Bin Abdul Rais, Soufi Bin Rusli, Malaysia 13
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 6
Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 24
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 14
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Natasha VanEldik, Lynsey Armitage, Australia 26
Round 9
Saturday, December 1 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Sunday, December 2 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 18
Ruth Gilor, Israel 21
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 18
Robert Weale, Jason Greenslade, Wales 8
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 14
Terence Lee, Ricky Wong, Jimmy Tam, China 15
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 19
Nanami Yoshimoto, Masako Satoh, Hiroko Emura, Hiroko Mori, Japan 12
Round 10
Sunday, December 2 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Monday, December 3 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Monday Partly cloudy. Isolated showers developing in the afternoon. This morning 13 C, this afternoon, 21C
Light winds becoming SW 25 to 35 km/h in the morning.
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Karina Bisson 17
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 14
Richard Hayden, Clive Robertson, Zimbabwe 13
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 20
Angelo Morales, Ronald Lising, Emmanuel Portacio, Philippines 10
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 8
Jo Edwards, Mandy Boyd, Jan Khan, Lisa White, New Zealand 25
Round 11
Sunday, December 2 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Monday, December 3 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Singles
Kelly McKerihen, Canada 21
Pauline Lekone, Botswana 15
Pairs
John Bezear, Ryan Bester, Canada 27
Hirokazu Mori, Junji Goda, Japan 11
Triples
George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 19
Gary Oughton, Fabio Melo, Ascendino Melo Neto, Brazil 13
Fours
Marg Lepere, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Jackie Foster, Canada 16
Hj Mohd Rosita, Muntiol Ajijah, Jamal Nafsiah, Munttol Isah, Brunei 21
Pool Standings - After 11 Rounds - FINAL PRELIMINARY RANKINGS
Top Teams + Canada
Top 3 Teams Advance To Playoffs - DIRECT TO SEMI FINALS
- TO POST SECTIONAL PLAY OFF [ Random draw among 2nd and 3rd place teams of each Pool.]
Singles
Pool 1 Pool 2
1.Canada 22 Pts 1. Australia 22 Pts
2. Jersey 18 Pts 2. Scotland 18 Pts F (206) A (141) N (65)
3. S.Africa16 Pts 3. N.Zealand18 PtsF(195)A(150) N (45)
2. Jersey 18 Pts 2. Scotland 18 Pts F (206) A (141) N (65)
3. S.Africa16 Pts 3. N.Zealand18 PtsF(195)A(150) N (45)
Pairs
1. Australia 20 Pts 1. Philippines 20 Pts F(249)A(138) N(111)
2. N.Zealand16Pts F(251)A(136 N(115) 2.England 20 Pts F(237)A(129) N(108)
3. Scotland 16 Pts F(227)A(150) N(77) 3. Wales 16 Pts
[10 Canada 6 Pts]
[10 Canada 6 Pts]
Triples
1. Scotland 20 Pts 1. Australia 20 Pts
2. Wales 19 Pts 2. Hong Kong 18 Pts
3. South Africa 18 Pts 3. New Zealand 17 Pts
[4. Canada 14 Pts]
3. South Africa 18 Pts 3. New Zealand 17 Pts
[4. Canada 14 Pts]
Fours
1. Ireland 18 Pts 1. Australia 19 Pts
2. Wales 17 Pts 2. Scotland 16 Pts F(233) A(136) N(97)
3. England 16 Pts 3. S. Africa 16 Pts F(201) A(146) N(55)
[4. Canada 16 Pts F (188) A(174) N(14)]
2. Wales 17 Pts 2. Scotland 16 Pts F(233) A(136) N(97)
3. England 16 Pts 3. S. Africa 16 Pts F(201) A(146) N(55)
[4. Canada 16 Pts F (188) A(174) N(14)]
WICKS:
Wednesday 28th 10:00 AM
How about that Ryan Bester 11-0 in the Prelims. Born in Canada, developed his game under the tutelage
of Dad Bob, honed his skill playing with father and brothers Chris and Mike and did all that in the little town of Hanover. Sure he is now a resident of Australia but we are not letting go of his coattail. Still the same courteous, lowkeyed, dynamic young man. World class in all ways.
Ryan moves directly to the Singles Semifinal on December 7th. Meanwhile he and John Bezear get down to business today in the Preliminary Pairs.
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana were in 2nd place and in the playoffs going into the last game. But their dilemma was the opponent - 1st place Australia, and that Scotland and South Africa were 2 match points behind with higher net total of shots. The 22-7 loss to Australia and wins by the chasers turned over the standings. But the significant irony of a great run by this foursome is the fact that they beat Scotland 21-13 and South Africa 19-9 on Day One of the competition. Sometimes bowls just aren't fair.
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed were reaching high but just out of their grasp. They finished with a flourish knocking off Fiji 25-6 but needed that win over 1st place Scotland to be in the top three.
Scotland won 21-12 but I was reading a comment by Ryan Bester watching the game that Kelly whacked the jack towards the ditch for 3 but , oh no, it rebounded off the backboard to settle near 3 shots for Scotland. We can only speculate but a 6 point swing was a knee bender.
Marg Lepere and Jackie Foster did split their two games on the final day but I know their goal was for a better preliminary record. Use it as a warm up for the Fours competition starting today. Marg will skip and Jackie will lead with the Lauras' in the middle.
Tuesday 27th 9:00 AM
Ryan Bester 9-0 That is pronounced nine ooooooooo. The last day of the Round Robin is here and Ryan will finish 1st in his Pool if he wins 1 of the 2 to-day. Mind you it is a spirited finish as he plays Malcolm De Sousa of Jersey who is 8-1 and nipping at his heels followed by the final game against a long time adversary Robert Weale (6-3) of Wales. De Sousa could win 21-0 and tie in Match Points but all for naught because of Bester's dominance to date and the tie breaking formula.
" If match points are equal then each section will be decided by the highest net total of shots."After Round 9 Bester For (189) Against (102) Net (87) ; De Sousa F (182) A(117) N(65). A Bye to the semi finals is the prize for finishing on top.
The John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana team did what they had to do with 2 wins yesterday and moved into 2nd place all alone in the 5 team race for the 3 playoff positions. In reviewing all the games to be played in this Pool today it appears that the Fab Five should all win in Round 10 - including Canada over Fiji (2-6-1). That means the 'perfect storm' will be created for the final game on the final day of the Fours preliminaries. Canada with Australian native John Bezear skipping will play host Australia. It could happen that the winner finishes first, the loser is knocked out of further play. WOW!
Hey Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed. Well done with your big 17-12 win over South Africa yesterday followed by the 2nd for the day over China. That kept you in the hunt for a playoff position entering the last day of competition. But the gritty work has just begun. You must win both games today including your morning match against the 8-1 Scottish team. A tie in Match points with South Africa will not be enough. After Round 9 South Africa F (169) A (96) Net (73) ; Canada F (121) A (118) N (3).
Believe.
I like that Margie Lepere and Jackie Foster. I am looking from afar but it appears to me that you had two competitive matches against the top Australian team and Israel. Finish strong.
Monday 26th 7:00 AM
Ryan Bester is on a mission. Focused, robotic consistency, 7 straight wins, opponents averaging 11 points scored. He sees it but knows the road has curves yet to be negotiated. Three of Ryan's next 4 games are against opponents that are in the Top Four of his pool. Sealing the Pool playoff business starts in the next game against South Africa.
What a dandy race for a medal is taking place in the Men's Fours Canada Pool. One Match Point separates 5 teams and John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue and Steve Santana are smack dab in the mix. You divide 3 playoff positions by 5 and you know every point earned is a climber towards podium opportunity. Today provides a significant chance for Canada to solidify their place in the top rankings by meeting Brazil and Botswana who are currently in the bottom. Automatic, never, favoured, yes.
A big, big game for Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed in Round 8 against the 6-1 South African team. They are chasing 3 teams and a win in this match along with 1st place Scotland beating Wales makes the chase oh so close. They kept themselves in the hunt with an important 18-11 win over Jersey yesterday to stay alive.
First a correction. The Margie Lepere, Jackie Foster results were, at first, listed as a 20-19 win over the Netherlands. I should have listened to reporter Ryan when he indicated they had been edged out of that win. Obviously Margie and Jackie had a dandy match against a team fighting for the top. The playoffs are not to be but there will be no lack of total effort in their spoiler role. How about today against Australia. They certainly put a kink in the South African teams plans with a 25-14 win yesterday.
Sunday 25th 12:30 PM
It's Hump Day. The teams cross the Tournament International Date Line. It's up and over the half way wall. This day will be a window to who contends and who pretends. Stabalize your position or fall into the pack ----- or even way back.
Ryan Bester plays the 1 loss Fijian, Bezear, Whitelaw, Larue, Santana have to win a pair as the games get tougher later.
Two solid teams in South Africa and Fiji will test the Lepere, Foster duo and the story is the same for McKerihen, Hudson and Seed. Jersey and Israel are coming a calling. Win two and you can break a smile, a split keeps you paddling but nary a point means dig out the bailing bucket to stay afloat.
Sunday 25th 7:00 AM
This is like the Midnight Special, Black Friday everyday. They stand in line all night to take their turn at trying to claim something they really want while the rest of us slumber away to rise and check how they did. Well let me tell you the Canadian Team made a good haul. Twelve games, 9 wins 3 losses, the men were 5 out of 6 and the ladies each won 2 out of 3.
The Bester Beat goes on, 3 more wins, +37 point differential for the day and the top of the pool all by himself. The John Bezear crew lost to the undefeated USA squad but came right back to win their next 2 and stay on the heels of the Neil Furman led Americans in the playoff race.
Good work by Lepere and Foster to win their first two of the tournament including nipping the Netherlands 20-19 in the final game of the long day.
And not to be outdone, the Mckerihen trio lost early but jumped to the fore the rest of the day and stay in the hunt for a playoff run.
Saturday 24th 11:00 AM
Twenty seven teams and 240 bowlers marched in the opening ceremonies.
Always enjoy different cultures with their unique music and dance. The Australia Aboriginal group entertained while the President of World Bowls gave his opening remarks. I couldn't play a didgeridoo
but I think I have used those dance steps on occasion. Come to think of it it may have been at Erin and Craig's wedding.
Speaking of the Top of the World our own Alberta, Canada Margaret Fettes is the Deputy President of World Bowls. A very significant position and honour for Margaret and Canada.
Both Tim Mason, Bowls Brigade - iLawnBowl, and Michael Spadafora, Talking Bowls in Canada, on FACEBOOK are keeping us up to date and informed. And to top it off Ryan Bester himself is our on the scene reporter sending way up here immediate results direct from the fields of play.
The World Bowls site - save and peruse for the next 2 weeks - www.worldbowls2012.com
The host Australians went 6-0 on day 1 including beating some top talent.
A familar face to some Canadians is Robbie Dobbins an assistant coach with the Australian team. He has been a guest coach in the past for our bowlers.
Did Unky sneak onto the USA Fours team?
Saturday 24th 6:15 AM
KAZAAM BAAROOM - Bester, Bezear,Whitelaw,Larue,Santana make it a basket full of wins on Opening Day. Don't you think as we rise they are even higher. But they are an experienced International playing group and know the pursuit for the golden ring has just begun.
Kelly, Laura and Laura come back after their first round loss with a good close win over Cyprus.
Margie and Jackie are 0-2 but they also faced two of the teams that will likely be serious contenders in the chase for medals.
Saturday 24th 12:50AM
KAZAAM - Men leap into action with a pair of victories over top end opponents. They are number 1 in the world on this reporters pool ladder. No statistical tie breakdown to rank the 1 game winners on this fair day. They got it on and on the top they may.
Friday 23rd
The preliminary games are being played at the Lockleys and Holdfast Bay Bowling Clubs.
News from the Holdfast Bay Club website when the SA International was held in May :
"While greenkeeper Kevin Lewis and apprentice Max Kleinig continue their greens preparations at Holdfast Bay Bowling Club visiting teams are arriving in the city prior to the SA International. Lewis has been with the club for over 20 years and is recognised as one of the State’s best when it comes to greens management and the surfaces look excellent going into the upcoming six day event....
After hours of travel the Scottish team arrived in the Festival City on Friday May 11th and immediately took to the greens for a solid practice and a game against a local selection. There is no doubt that the men’s outfit which includes the likes of Paul Foster, Alex Marshall, David Peacock and Graeme Archer will attract a huge amount of interest and with the greens running at around the 14 second mark the playing group looked at home immediately. Unlike the southern hemisphere countries involved the Scots are a side with no debutantes preferring to bring their top rated combination in the lead up to World Bowls 2012. There are many reasons for this and when I sat with Team Manager David Gourlay he made the following comments, “We have two definite seasons in Scotland. From May until September we are outdoors on slow greens and for the remaining seven months we play on indoor surfaces. The indoor conditions of course are ideal with quick greens and no wind and in the lead up to World Bowls it is important that our top ranked bowlers acclimatise themselves to the more pacey outdoor greens and an expected breeze.” During the Asia Pacific Championships in 2011 many visiting sides struggled on 16 second surfaces with strong gusty winds blowing across the venue and the Scottish Management has obviously done its homework...... As a matter of interest team member Graeme Archer will have further reasons to perform in Australian conditions. After the SA International he heads back to Scotland before returning to Victoria in late August to take up the position of Bowls Development Officer at Clayon Bowling Club.
The Fijian National sides win the hearts of bowls supporters wherever they appear and on Saturday afternoon I sat with Men’s team Manager Peter Thaggard as his playing group went through an intensive practice session at Holdfast Bay. On the green were three debutantes Jona Koroitamana, Jare Josaia and Soni Vakatalai along with two members of the Gold medal Triples combination at the Asia Pacific Championships. “We are blooding some new players and we are looking forward to the event” Thaggard commented. “We have great confidence in our men’s ability and we should be very competitive.”
I find this news item interesting because it addresses the same issues Canada faces when the teams travel really south to play.
- adjustment to pace ( although 14 sec. is much more manageable that 16 and up )
- the added challenge of windy conditions. I watched 18 ends of the 2006 Commonwealth bowls pinned spread eagle to a chain link fence held there by " a bit of a blow'.
I am certain our team management are aware of the same requirments for Southern Hemisphere play but financial considerations do not often match up with what we might like to do and what we can do.Plus a taste of Fiji. A joyous group to be around.
Thursday 22nd
In deference to our USA friends , my son and I celebrated the American Thanksgiving by watching 12 hours of 'footy', eating chilli and drinking beer.Wednesday 21st
So you want to play high level, intense, world class bowls. Required - endurance - a minimum of 10 consecutive days, 8 X 2 games and 2 X 3 game days. Allow 4 1/2 hours for each game. That makes it 9 hour days on the 'leisurely' roll ups and a vigorous 13 1/2 hours on the long days. But of course you didn't travel half way around the world to be finished after the preliminary rounds. Add on your playoff involvement in your two assigned disciplines. That begs the question, are you working on your physical training as well as your technical skill development?
The format at International competitions has changed. Taking the Men's Singles, Fours as an example, which will be played first in Adelaide, that grouping would have played to a conclusion formerly - Preliminaries, Playoffs, Medal Rounds.
Continuing with the example, now the Men's Singles and Fours will play 5 days of Preliminaries, establish the final sectional rankings, and proceed directly to the Preliminaries in Men's Pairs and Triples.
Ten days of Preliminaries and then 6 days of Playoffs and Medal Rounds.
A better way to build the excitement for the final fireworks display.
The headliner Final, Final ---------------------------------------SINGLES.
Tuesday 20th
Ryan Bester - Arguably the best bowler ever in Canada.
International playing achievements: 2004 World Pairs Champion; 2005 Asia Pacific Singles Champion, 2005 Asia Pacific Overall Team Champion; 2006 Commonwealth Games Singles bronze Medal; 2007 Asia Pacific Singles Silver, Pairs Bronze Medal; 2007 Atlantic Singles Gold; 2008 World Bowls Singles Bronze, MAP Pairs and Singles Champion. 'GregorBowls blog'. 'David Anderson', 2007 Atlantic.
Ryan's Round 1 opponent. Hizlee Bin Abdul Rais - " In stellar form after recently securing the 2012 World Champion of Champions crown". 'World Champs Event Guide'
Rather a talented, experienced lot the Canadians face on the Scottish teams.
The Australian team average age is 30. Half of the team are in their 20's. 'Michael Spadafora was tracking.'
CONDITIONS OF PLAY: excerpts
The winner of each section will advance to the semifinal playoffs.
The second and third placed teams from each section qualify to playoff for advancement to the championship semifinals.
Two points for a win. One point for a tie.
"The composition of each section in each discipline is based on the finishing position in each discipline relating to the 2008 World Championships."
The higher a country finished in their respective 2008 disciplines, the more challenging will be the match in Round 1. For example - Mens Singles Section(Pool) 1, Number 1 Malaysia vs Number 3 Canada; Section (Pool) 2, Number 2 Australia vs Number 4 New Zealand.
Other Canadian First Round matches based on the 2008 finishing positions;
Womens Pairs - #5 Canada vs #7 Scotland
Womens Triples - #9 Philippines vs #11 Canada
Mens Fours - #6 Scotland vs #8 Canada
Match Points
Singles Standings
After Round 11
1. Ryan Bester, Canada 22 Pts
Pairs Standings
After Round 11
10. Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 6 Pts
Triples Standings
After Round 11
4. Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 14 Pts
Fours Standings
After Round 11
2. John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 16 Pts
PYRAMID POWER
Round 1
Round 1
Friday, November 23 9:00 PM EST Canada [Saturday. November 24 12:30 PM Adelaide]
Sunny, 32 C, Wind 24 km/h
Sunny, 32 C, Wind 24 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Hizlee Bin Abdul Rais, Malaysia 16
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 12
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland 22
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 10
Rosita Bradbom, Asuncion Bruce, Haxel Jagonoy, Philippines 16
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 12
Margaret Letham, Claire Johnson, Scotland 22
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 10
Rosita Bradbom, Asuncion Bruce, Haxel Jagonoy, Philippines 16
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 21
Alex Marshall, Graeme Archer, Darren Burnett, David Peacock, Scotland 13
Round 2
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Martin McHugh, Ireland 12
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 7
Jo Edwards, Val Smith New Zealand 36
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 17
Gill Ford, Diane Roberts, Dorothy Gibbons, Cyprus 15
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 19
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa 9
Round 3
Round 2
Saturday, November 24 1:30 AM EST Canada [Saturday. November 24 5:00 PM Adelaide]
Sunny, 30C, Wind 24 km/h
Sunny, 30C, Wind 24 km/h
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Martin McHugh, Ireland 12
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 7
Jo Edwards, Val Smith New Zealand 36
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 17
Gill Ford, Diane Roberts, Dorothy Gibbons, Cyprus 15
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 19
Gidion Vermuelen, Bobby Donnelly, Clinton Roets, Pierre Breitenbach, S.Africa 9
Round 3
Saturday, November, 24 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Sunday, November, 25 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Cloudy, 24 C, Wind 13 km/h
Cloudy, 24 C, Wind 13 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Graham Snyman, Namibia 13
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 18
Kesanee Wongsasapa, Chamaipom Kotchawong, Thailand 14
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 7
Kathy Pearce, Caroline Taylor, Lisa Forey, Wales 18
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 15
Neil Furman, Loren Dion, Bill Brault, Aaron Zangl USA 23
Round 4
Saturday, November, 24 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Sunday, November, 25 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Cloudy, 30 C, Wind 27 km/h
Cloudy, 30 C, Wind 27 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Patrick Moraes Knight, Brazil 7
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 10
Debbie Wilford, Tess Evans, Norfolk Island 26
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 15
Obopile Mosimanyana, Bonnie Fox, Lillian Tebele, Botswana 12
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 22
Ken Emura, Hisaharu Satoh, Junji Goda, Hirokazu Mori, Japan 12
Round 5
Sunday November, 25 2:30 AM EST Canada [Sunday, November, 25 6:00 PM Adelaide]
Cloudy 28 C, Wind 28 km/h
Cloudy 28 C, Wind 28 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Terence Lee, China 6
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 20
Ineke Nagtegaal, Saskia Schaft, Netherlands 19
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 15
Yoka Goda, Hiroko Emura, Hiroko Mori, Japan 12
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 16
Thomas Greechan, Lee Nixon, Greg Davis, Jamie MacDonald, Jersey 12
Round 6
Sunday November, 25 5:30 PM EST Canada [Monday, November, 26 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Possible showers, 20 C, Wind 10 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Hommer N Mercardo, Philippines 12
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 25
Colleen Piketh, Esme Steyn South Africa 14
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 18
Doreen Moon, Joan Renouf, Suzie Dimgle, Jersey 11
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 8
Danny Ho, Andy Chan, Stanley Lai, Alex Ng, Hong Kong 28
Round 7
Sunday, November, 25 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Monday, November, 26 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Partly cloudy, 27 C, Wind 20 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Arun Kumar. Fiji 12
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 12
Czabeth Moceiwai, Salanieta Gukivuli, Fiji 22
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 7
CIrit Grencel, Edna Zomberg, Tamar Kamzel, Israel 15
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 17
E. Portacio, C. Dagpin, Ronald Lising, Angelo Morales, Philippines 14
Round 8
Monday, November 26 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Tuesday, November, 27 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Sunny, 22 C, Wind 30 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Gerry Baker, South Africa 13
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 10
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia 19
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 17
Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa 12
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 21
Gary Oughton, Fabio d'Avila Melo, Peter Gordon, Alex Lojelo Munn, Brazil 14
Round 9
Monday, November 26 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Tuesday, November 27 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Sunny, 27 C, Wind 20 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Mohd Salleh Mohd Huzaimi, Brunei 11
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 16
Ruth Gilor, Beverley Polatinsky, Israel 21
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 15
Chen Yan Fen, Yattie So, Susanna Shea, China 7
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 18
K. Robert, R. Kebapetse, J. Mothusi, K. Gaboutloeloe, Botswana 14
Round 10
Tuesday, November 27 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Wednesday, November, 28 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Sunny, 22 C, Wind 9 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Malcolm De Sousa, Jersey 5
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 21
Camilla Leung, Joanna Nam, Hong Kong 15
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 12
Lynn Stein, Caroline Brown, Michelle Cooper, Scotland 21
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 24
S.Tuikiligana, S. Naiseravati, D. Aitcheson, A. Kalim, Fiji 13
Round 11
Tuesday, November 27 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Wednesday, November 28 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Sunny, 31 C, Wind 9 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Robert Weale, Wales 18
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 10
Kimberly Heiser, Eva Lee, USA 22
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 25
Litia Tikoisuva, Doreen O'Connor, Sheryl Mar, Fiji 6
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 7
Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 22
Possible showers, 20 C, Wind 10 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Hommer N Mercardo, Philippines 12
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 25
Colleen Piketh, Esme Steyn South Africa 14
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 18
Doreen Moon, Joan Renouf, Suzie Dimgle, Jersey 11
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 8
Danny Ho, Andy Chan, Stanley Lai, Alex Ng, Hong Kong 28
Round 7
Sunday, November, 25 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Monday, November, 26 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Partly cloudy, 27 C, Wind 20 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Arun Kumar. Fiji 12
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 12
Czabeth Moceiwai, Salanieta Gukivuli, Fiji 22
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 7
CIrit Grencel, Edna Zomberg, Tamar Kamzel, Israel 15
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 17
E. Portacio, C. Dagpin, Ronald Lising, Angelo Morales, Philippines 14
Round 8
Monday, November 26 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Tuesday, November, 27 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Sunny, 22 C, Wind 30 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Gerry Baker, South Africa 13
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 10
Rebecca Quail, Kelsey Cottrell, Australia 19
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 17
Susan Nel, Susanna Steyn, Esme Steyn, South Africa 12
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 21
Gary Oughton, Fabio d'Avila Melo, Peter Gordon, Alex Lojelo Munn, Brazil 14
Round 9
Monday, November 26 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Tuesday, November 27 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Sunny, 27 C, Wind 20 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Mohd Salleh Mohd Huzaimi, Brunei 11
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 16
Ruth Gilor, Beverley Polatinsky, Israel 21
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 15
Chen Yan Fen, Yattie So, Susanna Shea, China 7
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 18
K. Robert, R. Kebapetse, J. Mothusi, K. Gaboutloeloe, Botswana 14
Round 10
Tuesday, November 27 5:30 P.M. EST Canada [Wednesday, November, 28 9:00 AM Adelaide]
Sunny, 22 C, Wind 9 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Malcolm De Sousa, Jersey 5
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 21
Camilla Leung, Joanna Nam, Hong Kong 15
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 12
Lynn Stein, Caroline Brown, Michelle Cooper, Scotland 21
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 24
S.Tuikiligana, S. Naiseravati, D. Aitcheson, A. Kalim, Fiji 13
Round 11
Tuesday, November 27 10:00 P.M. EST Canada [Wednesday, November 28 1:30 PM Adelaide]
Sunny, 31 C, Wind 9 km/h
Singles
Ryan Bester, Canada 21
Robert Weale, Wales 18
Pairs
Marg Lepere, Jackie Foster, Canada 10
Kimberly Heiser, Eva Lee, USA 22
Triples
Kelly McKerihen, Laura Hudson, Laura Seed, Canada 25
Litia Tikoisuva, Doreen O'Connor, Sheryl Mar, Fiji 6
Fours
John Bezear, George Whitelaw, Michel Larue, Steve Santana, Canada 7
Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Brett Wilkie, Wayne Ruediger, Australia 22
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