Twist takes the lead
In a top of the table clash Ben Twist has prevailed over Fairul Izwan Muin of Malaysia in a thriller to secure himself a finals berth.
Both players started the game well with seven single shots scored in the first eight ends before Twist broke the trend picking up four shots on the ninth to take the lead 8-6.
Malaysia responded instantly scoring three shots over the next two ends and holding another two on the following end, until an ounce of luck went the Australian’s way to square up the match nine all.
After a short break for prayer time, Muin played two high quality ends to pick up five shots and was starting to break away from Twist.
Twist was forced to attack; a precision drive by the Aussie backed up with a brilliant draw shot got Twist back within one.
Ben was full of confidence and in three ends he scored seven shots to lead 19-16.
In the ends to follow Twist held the match on several occasions but the Malaysian found a way each end to hold the Australian out.
The concluding ends of the game were the best of the match and it took two great draw shots by Twist and a failed last attempt by Muin for the Aussie to win what was a fantastic match 21-17.
The win has secured Twist a finals berth, however a victory over New Zealand would put Twist in top spot and directly through to a semi-final.
After a first round defeat at the hands of Singapore, Australia’s mixed pairs combination have not looked back notching up two important victories to keep their finals chances alive.
The Aussie’s were on song against Brunei winning 25-10, gaining valuable margin and moving them into third position.
The top three are all equal on two wins; the Australian’s are 12 shots behind first and one game win ahead of fourth.
A victory in today’s match against Hong Kong China is vital to keep the Australian pairing in the top three.
In the morning session of day 4, Anne Johns is playing her last sectional game and needs to score 14 shots to remain in top spot ahead of her opponent Malaysia ‘B’, and therefore advance directly to the semi-finals.
At 12:30pm AEST the mixed fours will play Hong Kong China and need to win the match to remain in the top three.
DAY 2 RESULTS
Mixed Pairs: Kristy Thatcher & Andrew Howie (AUS) def Malaysia ‘D’ 18-13
Women’s Singles: Anne Johns (AUS) def Nor Hashimah Ismail (MAS) 21-13
Men’s Singles: Ben Twist (AUS) def Zulhilmie Redzuan (MAS) 21-8
Mixed Fours: Thatcher, Johns, Howie, Twist (AUS) def by Malaysia ‘B’ 14-17
Women’s Singles: Anne Johns (AUS) def Belle Chuchu (BRU) 21-10
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
