Wood waltzes into next World bowls round

Potters Holidays World Indoor Championships, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, England

World Singles Championship, 1st round

[Q] Willie Wood, MBE (SCO) bt [Q] Theuns Fraser (RSA) 10-2, 8-4

[Q] Phil Rowlands (WAL) bt [Q] Jamie Hanlan (SCO) 10-1, 7-7

John Price (WAL) bt [Q] Phil Bennett (NZL) 10-2, 8-4

World Pairs Championship, 1st round:

[Q] Jamie Chestney & Graham Smith (ENG)

bt [6] Jason Greenslade & Robert Weale (WAL) 10-5, 9-6

[2] Paul Foster & Alex Marshall (SCO)

bt [Q] Hirendra Bhartu & Fred Fong (CAN) 10-3, 7-4

IN his first appearance in the flagship World Bowls Tour event for 11 years, veteran Scot Willie Wood rolled back the years when he comprehensively beat South African Theuns Fraser in straight sets to reach the second round of the Potters Holidays World Indoor Singles Championship.

The 71-year-old from East Lothian, the oldest competitor in the event in its 12th year at Potters Leisure Resort, led from the start as he trounced Fraser, 13 years his junior, 10-2, 8-4.

Wood, who earned an MBE for his services to bowls, made his debut in the event in 1982 - and, in 13 further appearances until 1999, achieved his best result in 1989 when he reached the final.

"I felt good out there - quite pleased with the way I played," said the sprightly septuagenarian who now goes on to meet Irishman Jonathan Ross, the 16th seed, next Monday for a place in the last 16.

Another competitor who made his debut in 1982 also claimed a place in the second round after an impressive win over younger opposition. Welshman John Price, champion in 1990, despatched New Zealand qualifier Phil Bennett 10-2, 8-4 to celebrate his 19th successive appearance in the event's second round since 1991.

Young Scot Jamie Hanlan was unable to capitalise upon his status as one of the WBT's first 'Tourcard' qualifiers. The 18-year-old from Midlothian went down 10-1, 7-7 to experienced Welshman Phil Rowlands.

The 54-year-old from Cardiff was celebrating his fourth appearance in the event since 1991 - but his first opening round success.

There was a notable upset in the Potters Holidays World Pairs Championship when English qualifiers Jamie Chestney & Graham Smith earned a place in the quarter-finals after defeating experienced Welsh pairing Jason Greenslade & Robert Weale, the sixth seeds, 10-5, 9-6.

But second seeded Scots Paul Foster & Alex Marshall had no problem overcoming Hirendra Bhartu & Fred Fong, beating the Canadian qualifiers 10-3, 7-4.

Friday (8 January) schedule:

World Singles Championship, Play-off:

9.30am

[Q] Dee McSparran (USA) v [Q] Fred Fong (CAN)

World Pairs Championship, quarter-finals:

[3] Mark Royal & Simon Skelton (ENG)

V [Q] Jamie Chestney & Graham Smith (ENG)

2.00pm

[5] Billy Jackson (ENG) & David Gourlay (SCO)

V [Q] Mark Casey & Brett Wilkie (AUS)

[1] Mervyn King (ENG) & Kelvin Kerkow (AUS)

V [8] Richard Morgan (WAL) & Les Gillett (ENG)

7.30pm

[7] Ian Bond & Andy Thomson (ENG)

V [2] Paul Foster & Alex Marshall (SCO)

Saturday (9 January) schedule:

World Singles Championship, 1st round:

9.30am

Brett Wilkie (AUS) v [Q] Craig Rimmington (RSA)

Steve Glasson (AUS) v [Q] Adam Tidby (ENG)

World Pairs Championship, semi-finals:

2.00pm

King & Kerkow or Morgan & Gillett

V Jackson & Gourlay or Casey & Wilkie

Royal & Skelton or Chestney & Smith

V Bond & Thomson or Foster & Marshall

World Singles Championship, 1st round

7.30pm

[Q] Raika Gregory (NZL) v Darren Burnett (SCO)

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