Do or die for Thatcher and Howie
Kristy Thatcher and Andrew Howie have successfully defeated Hong Kong China’s Kin How Chow and Tammy Tham in what was a must win game for the Australian’s. The Australian’s were clinical from start to finish winning 22-4 and gaining some valuable margin in what is a very close section. Thatcher and Howie move into equal first position level with Malaysia ‘A’ on three wins +22. In the final round of their section, Australia will meet the Malaysian ‘A’ side of Mohd Hizlee Rais and Azlina Arshad, both Commonwealth Games representatives and Arshad a two time Commonwealth Games gold medallist respectively. If the Australian’s can overcome the powerhouse Malaysian pairing they will finish top of their section and advance straight through to the semi-final. However a loss will have an uncertain fate for the Australian’s with four teams still in contention to finish top three. Ben Twist is the second of the Australian’s to qualify for a semi-final after he defeated New Zealand’s Robert Wilson 21-16. Twist progressed through his section on top of the ladder and in doing so replicated the performance of his Australian team mate Anne Johns who also qualified directly into a semi-final. National Training Centre Coach Brett Wilkie is thrilled with the efforts of his singles players. “I’m really proud of Ben and Anne who showed a lot of grit and determination to top their sections and gain a semi-finals berth,” Wilkie said. At 7:30pm AEST Thatcher and Howie will play their do or die match against Malaysia ‘A’. DAY 3 RESULTS Men’s Singles: Ben Twist (AUS) drew with Jacky Wong (CHN) 18-18 Women’s Singles: Anne Johns (AUS) def Sri Lanka 21-4 Mixed Pairs: Kristy Thatcher & Andrew Howie (AUS) def Kamis & Omar (BRU) 25-10 Men’s Singles: Ben Twist (AUS) def Fairul Izwan Muin (MAS) 21-17 DAY 4 RESULTS Women’s Singles: Anne Johns (AUS) def Emma Firyana Saruji (MAS) 19-15 Mixed Fours: Thatcher, Johns, Howie, Twist (AUS) drew with How Chow, Tham, Kwok & Chan (HK) 8-8 Mixed Pairs: Thatcher & Howie (AUS) def Kin How Chow and Tammy Tham (HK) 22-4 Men’s Singles: Ben Twist (AUS) def Robert Wilson (NZ) 21-16
