Jo Edwards (United) has led a host of big names through to the knockout rounds of the Summerset National Singles and Pairs in Canterbury.

The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist has won her three singles matches in section play by an average of almost 14 shots as she attempts to reclaim her national title.

Defending champion Debbie White (Hinuera) has joined Edwards in post-section play after she grinded out three wins from her four qualifying matches.

White’s pairs partner Ashleigh Jeffcoat (Carlton Cornwall) also progressed with three wins from four, as did 2015 champion Leigh Griffin (Victoria) and New Zealand international Wendy Jensen (Takapuna).

2017 winner Selina Goddard (Takapuna) has gone through section play unbeaten, along with fellow Blackjacks Katelyn Inch (Broadbeach), Val Smith (Merrylands, Aus), Tayla Bruce (Burnside) and Kirsten Edwards (Stoke) and Canadian international Kelly McKerihen.

McKerihen has helped eliminate Nicole Toomey (Victoria) from contention.

The New Zealand development player lost 21-11 to the Canadian before losing 21-17 to Mary Campbell (Tauranga South) to end her hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds.

Toomey was one of the biggest casualties, along with New Zealand high performance squad member Lisa Prideaux (Carlton Cornwall) and Bronwyn Stevens (Waihopai).

There have been no major upsets in men’s pairs qualifying, although there have been a few close shaves.

Defending champion Jordan King has progressed with new pairs partner Nathan Glasson after they won four of their five matches in section play.

They will be joined in the post-section draw by 2018 winners Ali Forsyth and Gary Lawson, who have won all four of their qualifying matches.

Blackjacks team-mates Mike Kernaghan, Chris Le Lievre, Seamus Curtin and Andrew Kelly have skipped their pairings into the knock-out rounds, with Kelly narrowly avoiding an early exit.

Kelly and Richard Hocking edged out a 19-17 win over Keanu Darby and Richard Kerr in their sixth and final qualifying match to progress with the minimum four wins.

New Zealand development players Caleb Hope and Daryl Read have also left it late, winning their last four matches in section play after dropping their first two.

Post-section play starts tomorrow (Sunday, January 5), with knock-out action in the men’s singles and women’s pairs.
The Summerset National Singles and Pairs are being held across 17 clubs in Canterbury, with the finals to be played at Papanui on Wednesday (January 8).