JERSEY’S bowlers have made their mark yet again at the SEC, with Sara Douglas and Fiona Archibald’s resounding 2-0 victory over the Cook Islands headlining the day.
Douglas and Archibald came into the arena with a point to prove, keen to bounce back into the win column after falling short 2-0 to Norfolk Island.
However, it certainly wasn’t going to be easy, as the Cook Islands’ pairing of Fa’Amanatu Vasie Ngatoko-Poila and Teokotai Rahui Jim had the prospect of being an incredibly tough test. With both sides entering the contest tied at one win and two losses, you couldn’t get a more evenly matched fixture.
As much as it seemed all set to be a neck-and-neck tussle for control, Douglas and Archibald weren’t ready to play by the script and took a commanding grasp from the first end, storming ahead to take the first set with a convincing 7-2 result.
The Cook Islands’ duo hoped for their fortunes to change in the second, but the Caesareans stayed on top of their game to never loosen their grasp. Douglas and Archibald seemed to improve with every end, building on the impressive opening set performance to steamroll their adversaries 12-1 and seal the straight-set victory.
This marked a big moment for Jersey’s bowls stars, being the Island’s first victory in straight sets at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
“We’re absolutely delighted, we raised our game and actually enjoyed the game, because we played the shots we wanted to play and it was great,” said Fiona Archibald.
“It’s a wonderful feeling – after our first win it as quite difficult to go back out there and get everything right, but it just came together.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, so to be able to come out and play at our best, we’re delighted.
Sara Douglas added: “We practiced on rink two, we planned it and, when you plan something to find your weight – which has been tricky – your jack length and your mat length, it just flowed today and it was absolutely brilliant.
“We’re looking for another win tomorrow, we’re on such a high and knowing that we’re confident. Things have been going right but we haven’t been getting over the line – so, now that we have, we know we can do it.”
Earlier, Taylor Greechan looked to build off last night’s rousing comeback victory, coming up against Namibia’s Waylon Wentzel in the Men’s Singles competition this morning.
Greechan certainly looked to pick up right where he left off in the first set, as he showcased great consistency throughout to come out on top 8-3.
However, the Namibian turned the tables on the Jerseyman in the second to take control and interrupt Greechan’s rhythm, winning 9-2 to force a tiebreak.
That momentum then seemed to sway Wentzel’s way in the ultimate end, as Greechan feel victim to another tiebreak and lost 1-0.
“Obviously it’s really tough, I feel like I’ve been really unlucky with the results of these tiebreakers – if I had won both of the ones I lost, I would be sat second in the group,” said a disappointed Greechan.
“Unfortunately, I lost the first end after winning the first set, which allowed him to put his length jack and I just wasn’t consistent enough.
“I can definitely take the first set as a positive and I’m used to the way the format is played here. Even though I don’t agree with how it’s being played, I’m glad that bowls is here.”
