COMMONWEALTH GAMES
GLASGOW – Fiji’s experienced women’s pair of Losalini Tukai and Litia Tikoisuva boosted their hopes of reaching the semi-finals after defeating Kenya’s N. Cheruiyot and E.W. Mbugua 1.5-0.5 in their Section C Round Three lawn bowls match at the Robert Weale Rink (local time).
By Muhammad Bin Salim
The win improved Fiji’s record to two victories from three sectional matches, lifting them to third place in Section C on six game points, level with second-placed New Zealand, who have played one match fewer.
Tukai and Tikoisuva made an assured start by claiming the opening game 7-2, consistently producing accurate draw shots and placing their bowls closest to the jack to control the head. Although Cheruiyot and Mbugua picked up two shots during the game, the Fijian pair maintained their composure to take an early advantage.
Kenya responded strongly in the second game, with skip Mbugua delivering the shot bowl closest to the jack in the opening end to edge ahead 1-0.
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Fiji immediately hit back by collecting four shots in the following end to move into a 4-1 lead before maintaining their advantage with disciplined shot selection and effective head control.
The Kenyan pair mounted a late fightback and levelled the second game 5-5 after Mbugua again played the shot bowl in the closing end. However, the drawn second game was enough to secure the overall 1.5-0.5 victory for Fiji.
The result keeps Fiji firmly in contention for one of the two semi-final places from Section C with two matches remaining.
Fiji next face New Zealand in a crucial Round Four encounter before concluding their sectional campaign against Canada.
