JERSEY’S bowlers achieved their first objective at the Northfield club in Ayr yesterday, when they qualified for the second phase of competition in the world outdoor bowls championships.

Based on their performances in the round-robin qualifying groups, the top 12 countries progressed to the final qualifying stage in pairs and triples while the bottom 12 were consigned to competing in the consolation Plate event.

By Sunday night, Alan Shaw, Lee Nixon and David Le Marquand had already clinched their place in the second phase proper, so their narrow 18-15 defeat yesterday at the hands of Malaysia in the last group game was purely academic.

However, the Island’s pair, Derek Boswell and Allan ‘AQ’ Quemard had a lot to do yesterday morning, when they faced Swaziland’s Dave Bramley and Mark Svenningsen in their final group game, because they had won two and lost two of their first four matches.

Tension was in the air for the first 15 ends, as there was little to choose between the teams, but, from 12-10, the Jersey duo took control, scoring a single, a double and another single on the way to an important 16-10 win.

‘That was a fine performance from Derek and AQ, who had to work hard for their place in the next stage, while the triple did extremely well from the start,’ said Jersey’s proud team manager Cyril Renouf last night.

Yesterday afternoon saw the Jersey players embark on their challenge for a place high up the rankings, as they played their first of five matches in the championship round robin.

Sadly, the pair met their match when they took on Ari Ben-Dor and Colin Silberstein from Israel, while the triple were pipped to the post by a strong Irish team that included world outdoor singles champion, Jeremy Henry.

‘I have to say, they both came up against players of the highest quality, who deserved to win,’ said Renouf.

‘But I’m intensely proud of the fact that they have established themselves in the top half of the tournament, and are mixing it with the best in the world.’ While Jersey have qualified in both events, countries like England, Australia, Wales and Malaysia have failed to get through in at least one event.

Derek and AQ held their own until the 11th end, when the scores were level, 8-8, but the Israelis struck with a damaging three-ends spell, scoring ten shots to lead, 18-8 after 14, before the Jersey duo claimed seven shots without reply over the last four ends for a respectable 18-15 scoreline.

‘Our triple started slowly, and were 1-8 adrift after four ends, but they stuck at their task, and had the chance of a five-count against Ireland on the last end, which would have secured a tie,’ said Renouf.

Today, the Jersey pair, who are in a very strong section, were due to play New Zealand and South Africa, while the Island’s triple were drawn against New Zealand and the Philippines.