World Under 25 singles semi-finals recap

Gents

Wales – Ryan Davies V Australia – Nathan Black

Ryan Davies got out of the blocks early in the first set of his Gents World Under 25 Singles Semi-Final leading 4-1 against Australia’s Nathan Black. The next few ends though Nathan found his length and rhythm and started to dominate the next few ends scoring at every opportunity. Ryan was unlucky at times with his running bowls, which saw Nathan see out the first set taking it 7-4.

The second set started almost like the first set ended, Nathan was in total control of the heads and was making exceptional difficult for Ryan to settle. A score of three and four in the first few ends saw Australia’s Nathan Black take the second set and book his place in tomorrows World Under 25 Gents Singles Final.

Scotland – Bradley Buchan V Malaysia – Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan

Scotland’s home favourite Bradley Buchan kicked off his semi-final winning the first two ends against Malaysia’s Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan. The next fours the tide turned and Muhammad six shots to lead 6-2 with one end to play. Bradley did have half a chance of making a four the least end but just failed leaving Muhammad to take the first set 6-4.

Two on the first end of the second set was exactly what Muhammad was looking for, Bradley however scored three singles to edge in front but could have been far more with a few missed opportunities to score more than ones. Muhammad scored another two and a one to leave Scotland’s home hope trailing 5-3 and needing a three on the last end to force a tie break. Lying one with last bowl Bradley had a chance to make the three but was a bowl off target, which saw Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan from Malayasia take the second set and his place in tomorrow’s final 5-4.

Ladies

Ireland – Shauna O’Neill V Guernsey Catherine Bonsall

Ireland’s Shauna O’Neill took an early lead in set one of her Ladies World Under 25 semi-final against Guernsey’s Catherine Bonsall. Catherine though played the perfect bowl to make a three on third end to lead 3-2 after three ends. How often do you get a count and lose a count the following end? They both traded three’s with the score at 6-5 in favour of Catherine. Shauna’s next end was probably her best of the match, precision drawing four bowls with a foot of the jack to score a four, which would secure her the first set 9-7.

Catherine took a single on end one of the second set but Ireland’s Shauna O’Neill produced another two great ends to take a commanding lead 5-1 after four ends. Catherine hadn’t quite given up yet and picked up two singles over the next two ends to trail 5-3. Lying one on the next end, Shauna made her last bow count and scored a match winning 2 to take the set and the match stamping her place in tomorrow’s World Under 25 Singles Final.

Scotland – Aimee Harris V Scotland – Sophie McGrouther

Scotland were guaranteed a place in the final of the Ladies World Under 25 final when Aimee Harris took on Sophie McGrouther.

You knew this would be a close-run match and the spectators were treated to a great game on the “Show Rink”. It was shot for shot over the first five ends with Sophie holding a one shot advantage going into end six leading 4-3, Aimee found an extra gear just at the right time to score a two and a one to take the first set 6-4.

The second set couldn’t have been tighter, 2-2 after three ends, but now Sophie was the one finding the form at the right time too take the lead 5-2. The next few ends were a bit scrappier as you could imagine, a little bit of pressure creped into both of their games, there is a place in a world final up for grabs after all. Just in the previous set though Aimee scored singles on the next two ends to trail by one 5-4 with one end to play. The last end was nip and tuck, Sophie played a runner with her last bowl to hold one to make the tie break, but with around a foot Aimee showed real class to draw a toucher and draw the set, taking the match and her place in tomorrow’s World Under 25 Singles Final.

The Ladies World Under 25 Singles Final will be between Ireland’s Shauna O’Neill and Scotland’s Aimee Harris.

The Gents World Under 25 Singles Final will be fought out between Australia’s Nathan Black and Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan from Malaysia.

Caption: Scotland’s Aimee Harris

Live scoring is available through the IIBC website – https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQ1wugqkKnjGDE04Ab_nbCzXKWgIltmZBTF2iJh2pZ-cHz_MsPt9kawwdh-k8gG837O10QKUvJdoyvA/pubhtml

Match scores can be found on the World Bowls Match Centre Results  https://bit.ly/47EViyp

The International Indoor Bowls Council (IIBC) and World Bowls Under 25 World Championships is being staged at East Kilbride IBC, December 4-8.