The first day's play in the World Short Mat Bowls Championships in Belfast produced its share of surprise results in an event that sees five Norfolk bowlers representing England and dreaming of bringing home a World title. Jason Woods of Bob Carter and Chris Willies of East Tuddenham are in the World Pairs Group A and need a better second day after winning games against Canada and Sweden but losing 13-9 against Jonathon Gladstone & Andrew Hudson of Wales and losing 15-9 against Belgium. Jason & Chris are quality bowlers and I would not rule out them still moving into contention. The Welsh pair lead the group after winning all their five games which included a 37-1 win against Jana Zapp & Volker Kirmse of Germany. England’s other pair, Saul Featherstone & Ryan Knight, are second in Group B after four wins and one defeat which was against group leaders Liam Farrington & Peter Reece of Wales. Jack Pye & AJ Brown of Wymondham, playing with Adam Smith, are in the World Triples Group A. They enjoyed a successful day one winning all their four games. They beat Canada 14-12, Sweden 17-6, Norway 18-4 & Scotland 12-10. Ireland also won their four games and top the group with a shot difference of +49 while the England triple are on +29. In Group B of the World Triples England’s Jack Knight, Sam Harvey & Josh Hale finished the day third after three wins and one defeat. Their wins included a 25-6 result against Canada while their one defeat was by 10-9 against Wales. Gary Best of Bob Carter is playing number three in an England four skipped by Kent’s Jody Frampton and they are playing in Group A of the World Fours. They are fourth in the group after wins against Canada and Belgium and a narrow 9-7 defeat against Wales. Andrew Leckey’s Irish four top the group with Wales second and Scotland third. Ross Dunkley’s England four are in the World Fours Group B and are second after winning their three games with a shot difference of +33, Wales top the group with three wins and +39 shots. In the World Singles England’s Matty Worden leads the pack in Group A. He beat Belgium’s Jonathan Payne 28-8, Canada’s Travis Anderson 23-6, Sweden’s Joel Hagar 26-5 and Norway’s Lars-Rune Lauritzen 23-7. Ireland’s Gary McNabb is also on maximum points after winning his four games. England’s Alex Kley scored two wins, one draw and suffered one defeat in Group B of the World Singles to finish the first day in fifth place. Welsh bowler Sean Hughes leads the group with four wins and a draw.
AJ Brown & Jack Pye unbeaten on day one of World C'Ships