HONG Kong—Australian boys Nathan Pedersen and Corey Wedlock became the fifth team in the 30 years history of the Hong Kong International Bowls Classic to successfully defend their men’s pairs title.
In the youngest ever men’s pairs final at the Classic, when all four bowlers were under the age of 25, the Aussies overcame Ryan Burnett and Kevin Anderson from Scotland to keep the trophy they won last year.
During the roundrobin stage both Australia and Scotland were in the same group and both teams won 9 of the 11 games. Scotland only lost once in the hand of Australia at that stage and they defeated local club Craigengower Cricket Club in the semi-final to enter the final. Australia beat group B leader Wales in the semi-final.
In the final the Aussies were always on the upper hand. In the first set they lead throughout and finished it 8:7.
In the second set the Australians continued their domination and were leading the game 7:1 after 5 ends. In the sixth end when Pedersen trailed the jack and held a shot, Andersen tried to drive but took out his 2nd and 3rd bowls. The Scottish lost five shots in this end and handed the match to their opponents.
