8.15am
The New Zealand four were eliminated from medals contention at the women's world bowls championships in England today.
Jo Edwards, Sharon Sims, Val Smith and Wendy Jensen went down 12-16 to Jersey in the quarterfinals at Leamington Spa.
They later recovered to register an 18-10 victory over the Philippines to set up
a playoff against South Africa for fifth place overnight tonight (NZ time).
Despite leading 7-3 early on, New Zealand struggled throughout against eventual finalists Jersey, who remained unbeaten.
The turning point in the match came on the 16th end when Jersey, leading by a single shot, scored a five to push the margin out to six.
Edwards replied with a single, leaving her side needing a five on the final end.
At one stage the four held the five required shots but the end was killed, leaving New Zealand out of medals contention and the team's Taylor Trophy dreams in tatters.
New Zealand results:
Fours, quarterfinals: New Zealand (Jo Edwards, Sharon Sims, Val Smith, Wendy Jensen) 12 Jersey 16.
First round playoff: New Zealand 18 Philippines 10.
- NZPA
