The Scottish interest in the 'Just' World Indoor Singles championship was boosted to five yesterday from the opening 12 matches, with former champions Paul Foster and Darren Burnett joining David Gourlay, Stewart Anderson and Charlie Bence in next week's second round.
No.6 seed Foster played well but was made to work for his 9-4, 8-6 win by 27-year-old primary school teacher Michael Cheesman from Bromley, who also a qualifier in the Pairs Championship.
The Scot made the early running in both sets, with the Englishman staging late rallies. With two shots against him playing the last, he ditched the jack with his second bowl and drew the match winner with his third.
“I was happy with the way I played. It didn’t matter what length the jack was, I always in the area. I know the carpet is a bit pushy at the far away end but you’ve just got to remember that” said Foster.
Last night, 2014 champion Darren Burnett, ranked seven, had too much in his armoury and was too consistent in the first set for 56-year-old Perth-based Australian business development manager Paul Butler, winning 12-0 with two ends in hand.
However, Butler’s nerves settled in the second and he put up a better fight, bouncing back to be just 6-5 off the pace. Burnett held off the determined challenge and wrapped up his emphatic straight-sets victory and a double and treble with an end to spare and win 11-5.
“I’ve had a flu-like virus for the past couple of days. I thought I was over the worse of it but I just dipped all day” said Burnett.
“I was pleased though with the way I played as I wasn’t looking forward to the match. I put together some great heads but I’ll need to get some antibiotics to clear this up because I just feel dreadful."
Earlier, Exonia’s Jamie Chestney ended the dream of 27-year-old Scottish qualifier Paul Hay from Stonehaven 15-1, 12-3, with Hay admitting: “I just didn’t get going and that was the most disappointing factor..
One of only three women who qualified was New Zealand’s Debbie Wilford. She caused a major upset defeating world No.10 Mark Royal from Suffolk in their opening round match, bringing the total of fallen seeds to five from the 12 matches played to date.
The 55-year-old, former Norfolk Island star, who now flies the flag for the Paritutu Club in New Plymouth, sent WBT seed Royal packing, winning 10-4, 7-7.
The Open Singles breaks for a few days to make way for the Mixed Pairs and Ladies Matchplay singles with the same women involved in both.
Defending champions Darren Burnett and Katherine Rednall from Ispwich open against three-time record holder David Gourlay and his new partner Karen Murphy from Australia.
Paul Foster teams up with Rebecca Field from Norwich against English duo Rob Paxton and Ellen Falkner, twice winner Alex Marshall will guide rising star Katy Smith against Auchinleck’s Claire Johnston and world No.1 Nicky Brett, with an all English clash in the last quarter-final between Andy Thomson and Janice Gower against Greg Harlow and Amy Stanton.
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