The New Zealand pair of Murray Glassey and Paul Sorensen (Hawkes Bay) were knocked out in the qualification rounds of the World Indoor Pairs at the Potter’s Leisure Resort in Norfolk, England by the Irish representatives Mark McPeak and Stuart Benet on Saturday losing their match 11-2, 7-3.

The Kiwis and Irish went into the match both having beaten the South Africans in straight sets but both squaring their matches with the Israeli pair 1 set each. Any hope of winning the pool either outright or by countback was snuffed out by the Irish pairing.

However Ireland lost in their playoff against the other pool winners Australia to decide which of the international qualifiers made the main part of the draw.

The next New Zealand PBA representative to play on the World Bowls Tour blue carpet is Canterbury’s Andrew Kelly who will play the fourth seed Alex Marshall (Scotland) at 3am on Thursday morning NZDT in the first round of the World Indoor Singles. Marshall has played kiwis on four occasions however the last time was in 2007 when lost to Noreen Stratford in the Mixed Pairs Invitational semifinal. This will be Kelly’s fourth appearance on the World Bowls Tour. The match will be live on YouTube on the WorldBowlsTour channel.

Results
Murray Glassey & Paul Sorensen NZL beat Thinus Oelofse & George Lotter RSA 8-2, 6-5
Glassey & Sorensen NZL drew with Moti Polak & Roy Jennings ISR 6-4, 1-8
Glassey & Sorensen NZL lost to Mark McPeak & Stuart Benet IRE 11-2, 7-3