New Zealand's leading bowlers defied 30 degree plus temperatures and strong opposition in Christchurch to set themselves up for the business end of the Asia Pacific Championship today.
Kiwi men's singles representative Mike Kernaghan, playing in his first international event for a number of years, led the way in winning his two games to finish on top of his section and earn an automatic spot into the semi-finals.
He will now play the winner of the Japan-Canada game. Kernaghan's only defeat in the round robin came at the hands of No 2 world ranked Canadian Ryan Bester. If Bester can overcome his Japanese opponent, he will be on track for another clash with Kernaghan.
On the other side of the draw Australia will play the winner of the Hong Kong China-Malaysia game.
Paul Girdler and his well performed fours team of Shannon Mcllroy, Andrew Kelly and Mike Nagy beat the USA to finish on top of their section and remain unbeaten. They will the winner of the USA-Malaysia game in the semis while Australia will play the winner of the Hong Kong China-Norfolk Island game.
The Sandra Keith-skipped Kiwi women's triples team with first time internationals Angela Boyd and Katelyn Inch also finished the round-robin series unbeaten and will now play the winner of the Philippines-Canada game. On the other side of the draw Australia will play the winner of the Hong Kong China-Malaysia clash.
New Zealand's world ranked women's pairs combination of Jo Edwards and Val Smith finished second in their section after a shaky start and will meet the Philippines with the winner to play Australia in one semi-final while Hong Kong China will play Norfolk Island with the winner to play Malaysia in the other semi.
