New Zealand made a clean sweep of the quarterfinals at the World Bowls Championships here today with all four teams qualifying for the semifinals.
It means the Black Jacks are guaranteed at least four bronze medals from the second week of play to add to the two goldsthey won last week.
Men's singles player Ali Forsyth was first to go through to the semis after beating South African Gerry Baker 21-18.
The women's pairing of Jo Edwards and Val Smith overwhelmed a Philippines combination 30-12, Sharon Sim's women's triples withstood a fierce challenge from Scotland 22-21 and Gary Lawson's men's fours repelled Ireland 20-17.
Black Jacks coach Dave Edwards was ecstatic.
"It's absolutely unbelievable," he said.
With New Zealand managing a 50 per cent record in the quarters last week - with Smith going on to take gold in the women's singles and Lawson grabbing gold with Russell Meyer in the men's pairs - Edwards said he was "a bit gobsmacked" at all four making the semis this week.
"It's just sensational," he said.
Edwards said the task now was for all four teams to get up for the semis this afternoon.
Edwards and Smith will meet the strong Irish pairing of Margaret Johnston and Bernie O'Neill, Forsyth comes up against Australian top gun Aron Sherriff, Sims' triples face South Africa and Lawson's fours also play a South African combination.
