HK pair on course for quarter-finals

Hong Kong's Adam Poynton and James Cheng experienced a topsy-turvy day at the Manulife Funds Direct International Bowls Classic yesterday.

Poynton and Cheng put themselves into contention for a quarter-final place - but not before experiencing a rollercoaster ride at the Kowloon Bowling Green Club.

The Hong Kong pair defeated the in-form Kowloon Cricket Club pair Mike Dowie and Jacky Wong 21-18 in an upset before dishing out another surprise when they outclassed Classic defending champions Andrew Wills and Stuart Airey of England 26-13.

But they undid all their good work when they came back to earth with a bump after suffering a 34-14 reversal against unfancied Malaysian pair Tazman Tahir and Ibraheim Jusoh.

It was a result that did Hong Kong no favours but the local team, boosted by the two earlier wins, have moved up the ladder and are now in fourth spot in Section One with four wins, one draw and one loss in six matches.

KCC's Dowie and Wong put Hong Kong's defeat into perspective by defeating the Malaysians 22-19 to make amends for their earlier loss to Hong Kong.

KCC then completed the evening session by beating Hong Kong Electric Group Sports Club's Ching Kwong-cheung and Y.L. Chung 27-10.

KCC top the group ahead of Ireland's Jonathon Ross and Noel Graham and New Zealand's Russel Meyer and Kerry Chapman, who are lying third.

Scotland's Alastair White and Alex Marshall lead Section Two with a record of six wins and one loss. Wales are in second place ahead of KBGC.