JERSEY’S Jamie MacDonald is on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals of the World Indoor Bowls Council Singles in Belfast after two victories yesterday took him into second place in his section.

MacDonald started with an important 6-5, 8-3 win over Scotland’s Scott McKenzie, fighting back from 5-3 down after five ends of the first set to gain an important advantage.

Later he overwhelmed Malaysia’s Ramble Rice Oxley 12-2, 12-4 to move on to nine points, one ahead of England’s defending champion John Wells, but three behind leader David Axon of Wales.

Said MacDonald: ‘In my first game it was the exact opposite of Monday as I managed to take the initiative at the end of the opening set.

My second contest was much easier but it was important not to drop a set as there are extra points at stake.’ In his final qualifying section game today MacDonald faces Welsh hope Axon who has already secured his last four place, but the Channel Islander commented: ‘David will want to finish top as he will then be seeded so it will be my toughest challenge to date.

Basically I need to win to be sure of going through to the next stage though I could still make it if results elsewhere went my way.

However, my fate is in my own hands, which is the way I like it.’ In the ladies’ world championships Jersey’s Gaynor Thomas dropped out of contention after losing twice by 8-5, 11-2 to Ireland’s Muriel Wilkinson and 9-3, 14-1 to Scotland’s Sandra Rennie.