2024 World Bowls Indoor Championships: Day 1 wrap
It was a successful opening day for the Australian contingent at the 2024 World Bowls Indoor Championships in Guernsey overnight as Ray Pearse and Samantha Atkinson went unbeaten across all three disciplines.
Qualifying for the tournament after conquering last year’s Australian Indoor Championships, the pair have been acclimatising themselves to the conditions over the past few days and looked right at home on the English Channel island.
The morning commenced with mixed pairs and the Pearse Atkinson combination would be tested against the Welsh duo of Kristian Crocker and Sara Marie Nicholls.
Set one would see the Australians roar out to an 8-0 buffer after three ends before holding off their fast finishing counterparts to take it 9-7.
The second stanza saw Wales on the attack early, netting a 5-2 buffer with two ends to play before Atkinson and Pearse netted a four to take the lead heading into the final end.
Nicholls and Crocker managed to score a two to send the match into a one end shootout, in which the green and gold saluted to kick off their tournament in style.
Pearse’s singles campaign began against Ireland’s Simon Martin, who was on song early to take the opening set 7-5.
The New South Welshman rallied in fine fashion in the second, relinquishing just two ends to take it 8-3 before winning the tiebreak and setting his tournament up nicely.
Atkinson’s first singles foe would be a familiar opponent in Wales’ Nicholls, who would be out for revenge after the nation’s opening mixed pairs defeat.
However, the Richmond Union product began a rampage that saw her claim an 11-5 10-4 win in impressive fashion, capping off a brilliant first day in Australian colours.
Atkinson sits on top of her section leading into the second day of competition.
View the day one results and standings HERE
The 2024 World Bowls Indoor Championships will take place on April 21-27, 2024, with live streaming via the World Bowls YouTube channel.
View the Conditions of Play HERE
View the schedule HERE
