By Natalie Cholohei, Port Moresby 2015 Games News Service
PORT MORESBY July 14 – Papua New Guinea has drawn its way into two head-to-head gold medal playoffs in lawn bowls, with the women’s pairs and men’s fours teams both advancing from their semifinals on Tuesday at the Bisini Grounds.
But it is Fiji who has had the most success, reaching three of the four finals to be decided on Wednesday.
The PNG women’s pairs team rolled Niue to win 29-7, setting up a meeting with Fiji in the final after they got past Cook Islands 17-13.
Cook Islands had more luck in the men’s fours, beating Norfolk Island by two shots to set up the match against PNG in the final. The hosts beat Fiji by three in their semifinal.
In the women’s triples PNG were shocked by a Niue comeback and eventual 16-13 victory.
PNG team manager Moi Eli (PNG) said it was a pity that her team could not hold on to advance to the final.
“It was unfortunate that Niue came from behind and beat us, but that’s the way it is and we are looking forward to tomorrow’s [bronze medal] game,” she said.
A confident Eli is certain that her girls will bounce back in Wednesday’s bronze playoff against Cook Islands.
“We went to the quarterfinals, my girls have played very well and I am sure we will win,” Eli added.
In overcoming PNG Niue set up a women’s triples final against a Fiji team that sailed past Cook Islands by 15 shots.
In the men’s singles Semesa Va’alelea Naiseruvati (FIJ) beat Pi Ngatokoiva Lawrence Paniani (COK) 21-14 to book a gold medal match with Phillip Jones (NFI) who ended the chances of Anthony Nipue Yogiyo (PNG) 21-15 in their semifinal.
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