Bowls: First-up win for Hill

New Zealand's Jamie Hill made a successful start to the World Bowls Tour's International Open indoor singles in Sheffield, England, this morning.

Hill, 25, ranked No 20 in the world, beat 11th seed John Price, of Wales, 2-9 9-1 2-0 in the first round.

He next plays either Scotsman Paul Foster or Israeli Amir Yaron in the second round on Friday morning (NZT).

Hill last year reached the semifinals of the world indoor singles.

He played loosely in the first set today before settling into his work.

Price was always under pressure through the second set and tiebreak as Hill beat him for the first time in six encounters.

Another New Zealander, Ross Stewart, has a first-round match against English 14th seed Billy Jackson starting tomorrow night (NZT).

- NZPA