Johns secures a semi final
Anne Johns is the first of the Australian’s to progress to a final at the Asia Pacific Indoor Championships. Johns has blitz through her section undefeated and in doing so will proceed straight to a semi-final on Friday. Johns needed 14 shots against Emma Firyana Saruji to secure top spot however although the game was not completed within the allocated time, Johns was victorious 19-15. Despite the announcement of no roll up this morning for the first time in the event, it didn’t worry Johns who drew two within an inch on the first end. Johns settled into the match well jumping out to an 11-4 lead on what is the trickiest rink of the green. Saruji started to play better and played three quality ends to score 6 shots to trail by 1. Johns regained her composure and traded blows with Saruji over the next few ends to draw level at 13 all. Saruji then scored a two before Johns hit her straps playing two superb ends to pick up 6 shots to lead 19-15 as the bell rang to complete the game. The mixed fours will have to do it the tough way if they are to join John’s in the finals. Thatcher, Johns, Howie and Twist came up against tough opposition in Hong Kong China but managed to salvage a draw and keep their chances alive. Time and time again the Australian’s would hold multiply shots however Hong Kong’s skip Stephen Chan could do no wrong. The Aussie’s fought hard and on what became the last end due to the time limit, Ben Twist narrowly missed adding to the count and the Australian’s settled for a nine all draw. In the overall scheme of things the draw doesn’t change the scenario for the Australian’s; they must win their last sectional game or hope results fall in their favour. Still in action today the mixed pair’s combination of Kristy Thatcher and Andrew Howie will play Hong Kong China and later in the night Ben Twist versus New Zealand, a game that if Twist could win would put him straight into the semi-final alongside his team mate Anne Johns. 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 Chow,Tham, Kwok & Chan (HK) 8-8