Jamie Macdonald: Victorious against stiff opposition

JERSEY’S Jamie Macdonald was one of a handful of players who survived the opening day of the WIBC world under-25 championships at Portsmouth without tasting defeat, and had one foot in the knockout frame.

Opening his challenge with an exciting 8-4, 1-9, 2-1 win over Scotland’s in-form Brian Irvine, Macdonald hit top form to topple highly-rated Welsh star Ross Tomlinson, 9-1, 8-3.

‘It needed a great bowl to get me home against Brian, who played really well, but that win over Ross, who is a class act, was much easier than I had expected,’ said Macdonald.

The Jersey youngster, who has not played in this competition for a few years, will now complete his group programme with games against Ireland’s Simon Colvin, England’s Dean Tute and defending champion Stewart Anderson, from Scotland.

His younger sister, Rachel Macdonald, had a bad day at the office, losing to Scotland’s Sarah Ewing, 44-7, 7-11, and to England’s Amy Banes, 0-9, 1-11, but she, too, has another three games to play in the group, so all is not lost.