The New Zealand women’s bowls triple – Val Smith, Tayla Bruce and Nicole Toomey – had to survive a torrid quarter-final against Australia to earn a place in the semi-finals.
The triple yet again came through under pressure, winning 15-10. It was an extremely tight and tense match.
New Zealand grabbed an early 6-2 lead, but after that there was never more than a point or two in it. At 10-10 after 15 ends, it was anyone’s game. Then the New Zealanders played a couple of inspired ends and suddenly they were in the semi-finals.
There was more good news for New Zealand when the men’s four edged into the quarter-finals on a goals for and against ratio.
Needing some solid performances to progress to the post-section play, the four – Tony Grantham, Adam Kelly, Mike Galloway and Ali Forsyth – won a mighty struggle with Malta 14-12.
The New Zealanders trailed 4-9, but scored a five on the seventh end to level at 9-9. They finally forged ahead 14-12 on the 14th and hung on for the precious victory.
They were soon back in the action, facing Scotland, but went down 18-10.
The group ended with three teams – New Zealand, Jersey and South Africa - on six points, all scrapping for the second post-section position behind Scotland. Happily New Zealand had done just enough to progress.
Shannon McIlroy was unable to advance in the men’s singles.
He began his day with a comprehensive 21-5 win over Chris Locke of Falkland Islands. But McIlroy’s form deserted him in his next match and he lost to Scottish high flier Iain McLean 21-4.