Australian Adam Jeffrey enhanced his prospects for Commonwealth Games selection when he won the Manulife Funds Direct Hong Kong International Classic singles competition last night. The 26-year-old defeated the Channel Islands' David Le Marquand 25-17 in last night's final at the Craigengower Cricket Club, to win $17,000. In seven singles matches over a gruelling two days, Jeffrey kept his cool. In the final he calmly recovered from a 1-6 deficit to become the third Australian to win the title. He follows in the footsteps of the late Paul Richards (1986-87), and last year's winner John Noonan. 'This is a very important win for me,' said Jeffrey, a bowls co-ordinator at the Canberra Southern Cross Club. 'This tournament will be considered for Commonwealth Games selection. Australia are picking a seven-man squad and I'm hoping to to get in in any capacity.' Le Marquand held the early advantage until 6-6, from when the two players were neck and neck. Jeffrey took the initiative at the 17th end with a four and Le Marquand was unable to recover. Jeffrey picked up two fours and a three in the 29-end final. 'That accounts for 11 shots in only three ends and it's hard to recover from that,' said Le Marquand, who was pipped by Hong Kong's Ken Wallis for the bronze medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. 'Adam was very steady. I can think of only one occasion when he missed a shot.' Jeffrey defeated Hong Kong's Noel Kennedy in the quarter-finals, 25-17 before scoring a 25-18 semi-final win over Bruce McNish from New Zealand. Le Marquand yesterday beat Australia's Mark Jacobsen 25-21, and England's Stuart Airey 25-18 to reach the final.
