The Blackjacks have made a perfect start to the opening day’s play at the Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Edwards : Didn’t get things all her own way
Defending women’s singles champion Jo Edwards has won both her matches and the men’s triples also tasted success in their only outing of the day.
Edwards didn’t get things all her own way in the opening match against Pinki (India), winning 20-16. While the singles games are a race to 21 shots, there is a two hour-15 minute time-limit.
Pinki led 4-2 early, but as all Kiwis know, Edwards is the real deal. In a particularly low-scoring match, she moved ahead 14-8, and while Pinki remained in touch, Edwards maintained a buffer.
She led 20-15 and, on a full-length head, held two shots when the hooter went. Pinki landed on Edwards’ shot, but by then it was a matter of differential only.
In the second round, which began at midday (GCT), play was interrupted by rain. But Edwards remained composed, moving from 14-10 in front to beat Niue’s Pau Blumsky 21-11.
Elsewhere in Edwards’ section (D), Malaysia’s Emma Firyanna Saroji defeated England’s Katherine Rendall 21-11 in the opening round.
Edwards meets Rendall in the 9am (GCT) match on Friday.
The men’s triples of Michael Nagy, Paul Girdler and Ali Forsyth posted a resounding 28-6 win over Singapore, conceding just six singles in the 18-end contest. They were then able to enjoy the rest of the day off.
The triples return to the greens first-thing on Friday, too.
The remaining four Blackjacks combinations are involved in the two evening sessions.
More to come.
BLACKJACKS IN ACTION
Day one – Thursday, April 5). NB: all times are NZT.
Women’s singles (Jo Edwards): beat India 20-16; beat Niue 21-11.
Men’s pairs (Blake Signal, Shannon McIlroy): 6pm v Botswana; 9pm v Papa New Guinea.
Men’s triples (Michael Nagy, Paul Girdler, Ali Forsyth): beat Singapore 28-6.
Women’s fours (Tayla Bruce, Katelyn Inch, Val Smith, Mandy Boyd): 6pm v Jersey.
B2/B3 mixed pairs (David Stallard [with Peter Blick], Sue Curran [with Ann Muir]): 6pm v Wales.
B6/B7/B8 triples (Bruce Wakefield, Barry Wynks, Mark Noble): 9pm v Wales.
Day two – Friday, April 6). NB: all times are NZT.
Women’s singles (Jo Edwards): 11am v England; 2pm v Fiji.
Men’s pairs (Blake Signal, Shannon McIlroy): 6pm v Cook Islands; 9pm v Fiji.
Men’s triples (Michael Nagy, Paul Girdler, Ali Forsyth): 11am v Niue; 2pm v Canada.
Women’s fours (Tayla Bruce, Katelyn Inch, Val Smith, Mandy Boyd): 6pm v Zambia; 9pm v Norfolk Island.
B2/B3 mixed pairs (David Stallard [with Peter Blick], Sue Curran [with Ann Muir]): 6pm v South Africa.
B6/B7/B8 triples (Bruce Wakefield, Barry Wynks, Mark Noble): 9pm v England.
