Australia power into two finals

by admin on October 3, 2014

Australia is in blistering form at the Asia Pacific Indoor Championships powering into the finals against their star studded Malaysian opponents. 

St Johns Park duo Anne Johns and Ben Twist have made the singles finals in contrasting style. 

Anne Johns made light work of Emma Firyana Saruji of Malaysia 18-11 advancing to the final. 

Saruji jumped out to an early lead 4-1 but in no time at all Johns had found her rhythm and there was no looking back for the undefeated Aussie. 

Despite the game not being completed in the allocated two hour time limit, Johns kept her nose in front for most of the game and piled on shots in the last half hour to take the match by seven and set up a much anticipated final against two time Commonwealth Games singles gold medallist Siti Zalina Ahmad. 

Ben Twist has overcome Malaysia ‘A’s’ Fairul Izwan Muin; despite being 9-19 behind on the scoreboard Twist described the win as the best come from behind victory he has had in his career. 

Twist will now face Malaysia ‘D’s’ MD Syamil Syazawan Ramli in tonight’s final and a chance to win the $5000USD winner’s cheque. 

In this morning’s mixed pairs encounter Kristy Thatcher and Andrew Howie had a tight battle in their quarter final match against Malaysia ‘C’. 

Australia were two in front going into the last end and when the Malaysian skip trailed the jack for three, Howie was left to convert with his final bowl and with an ounce of luck going the Australian’s way they were into the semi-final. 

Howie and Thatcher will have the chance to join their team mates in the final when they take on Malaysia ‘B’ in the semi-final that commences today at 4:00pm AEST. 

Singles finals will start from 10pm AEST and updates will be on Bowls Australia Twitter. 

DAY 6 RESULTS

Women’s singles semi-final: Anne Johns (AUS) def Emma Firyana Saruji (MAS) 18-11
Men’s singles semi-final: Ben Twist (AUS) def Fairul Izwan Muin 21-19
Mixed pairs quarter final: Thatcher & Howie (AUS) def Malaysia ‘C’ 12-9