New Zealand Blackjacks’ Jo Edwards, Val Smith and Ali Forsyth have made a promising start to their World Cup indoor singles campaign and remain firmly on track as section play unwinds.
Blackjack Ali Forsyth, pictured, along with fellow Kiwi Val Smith and reigning champion Jo Edwards have enjoyed a commanding start to section play at the World Cup Indoor Singles this week
Hosted by the Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club in New South Wales, reigning champion Edwards has been in commanding form as she remains unbeaten after three rounds, securing two wins and enjoying a scheduled bye.
Edwards’ has chalked victories over last year’s runner-up Lucy Beere of Guernsey defeating her in a tie-break showdown 2-1, before comfortably accounting for Canadian young gun Priscilla Westlake - a former U25 World Singles champion, 9-5, 17-3.
Meanwhile, both Smith and Forsyth fell victim to their Australian counterparts, narrowly edged out in a tie-breaker effort, with NSW number one David Ferguson stepping over the finish line 2-1, while Commonwealth Games representative Rebecca Van Asch toppled Smith, 4-0.
In other fixtures, Forsyth defeated Norfolk Island and Fiji in straight sets, while notching up sibling bragging rights against brother and Japan qualifier Russell in the opening round, 13-3, 12-6.
Across rinks, Smith enjoyed comfortable wins against Japan, India and the Isle of Man - all wrapped up in straight sets.Looking ahead, Smith will tackle Papua New Guinea, South Africa’s Colleen Piketh, USA representative Alice Birkinshaw, Malaysia’s Emma Saroji and Macao China’s Sio Peng Chan to round off her final qualifying match-ups.
Forsyth will take on Papua New Guinea, Isle of Man, Canada, Spain, Turkey, Macao China and Malaysia, while Edwards will negotiate her way through challenges from Fiji, Norfolk Island, Scotland, Singapore, Malta and Hong Kong.
Following two days of competition, reigning champion Jeremy Henry representing Australia is topping the men’s section one standings, fellow contender David Ferguson occupies the top of the ladder in section two, while Australia’s Van Asch leads the charge for the women in section one and Scotland rep Kay Moran sits top of section two.
