Henry crowned again
Warilla’s Jeremy Henry has gone back-to-back on home turf at the World Cup this afternoon, downing New Zealand’s Tony Grantham to secure the coveted crown for a consecutive occasion.
The former Northern Irish international rode a tidal wave of success through the event, remaining undefeated during his ten sectional rubbers to finish the preliminary rounds on top of the ladder, eliminating Malta’s Altona-based Leonard Callus 4-10, 12-1, 5-0 in the semi-final before ending Grantham’s hopes 10-5, 5-8, 5-0.
Henry becomes only the second male to hoist the trophy aloft on multiple occasions, behind Australia’s world number Leif Selby who completed the feat in 2009 and 2010.
In the women’s event, New Zealand’s world number one Jo Edwards added her fourth World Cup to the trophy cabinet, having previously completed a rare treble from 2009-2011.
Edwards extracted revenge on Guernsey’s Alison Merrien in the decider 3-8, 8-3, 3-2, after failing to overcome her in the final outing last year.
“I’ve felt really relaxed all week,” Edwards told Bowls New Zealand after prevailing.
“Even in the other three where I won, I was beaten in section play, it’s pretty special I think.
“It was an amazing game, Alison totally out played me in the first set, it was a real turn around. I was lucky enough to get it, it’s just amazing” beamed the champion after winning the tie break 3-2 to secure her title.
“You look back and think have I been here five times, I really am looking forward to a week at home.”
Australia’s Karen Murphy was forced to again settle for a bronze medal finish, after failing to overcome the eventual winner in the semi-final for a second straight year, dropping her match to Edwards 9-7, 9-7.
The host nation boasted two changes to secure the men’s crown, with Henry back to defend his title, while 2005 champion Mark Casey booked entry into the event via the Australian Indoor Championships, but the St Johns Park star had to withdraw from the event with eight matches into sectional rounds due to the sudden passing of his father.
World Cup final results:
Men: Jeremy Henry (Australia) beat Tony Grantham (New Zealand) 10-5, 5-8, 5-0
Women: Jo Edwards (New Zealand) beat Alison Merrien M.B.E. (Guernsey) 3-8, 8-3, 3-2
Click here for full results from the 2013 World Cup at Warilla.
Caption: Dual World Cup champions Jo Edwards, from New Zealand, and Australia’s Jeremy Henry. Image kindly provided by David Allen.
