Semesa Naiseruvati won gold in the men’s singles lawn bowls competition ©Port Moresby 2015

Fiji claimed two of the four gold medals available in today’s lawn bowls finals, winning the men’s singles and women’s triples titles at the Bisini Sports Grounds.

Semesa Naiseruvati beat Norfolk Island’s Phil Jones in the men’s singles gold medal match, edging out his opponent 21-20 having trailed until the dying moments, while Papua New Guinea’s Anthony Yogyo took bronze.

In the women’s triples, Fiji’s Litia Tikoisuva, Sheral Mar and Elizabeth Moceiwai won 20-11 against Niue's trio, who had to settle for silver as the Cook Islands beat Papua New Guinea 20-15 in the bronze medal play-off.

It was not all plain sailing for Fiji, however, as Radhika Prasad and Sarote Hiagi lost the women’s pairs gold medal match to Papua New Guinea’s Cesley Simbinali and Ju Carlo 18-13.

The Cook Islands’ Linda Vavia and Teokotai Jim bowled 27 shots to Niue’s nine to win the bronze medal match.

There was also a gold medal for the Cook Islands, beating Papua New Guinea 18-10 in the men’s fours final after Fiji had ran out 28-5 winners against Norfolk Island in the bronze medal match.

Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere-Apisah won gold in the mixed doubles alongside compatriot Mark Gibbons
Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere-Apisah won gold in the mixed doubles alongside compatriot Mark Gibbons ©Port Moresby 2015

Meanwhile in the mixed doubles tennis final, seniority shone through as favourites Mark Gibbons, 39, and Abigail Tere-Apisah, 23, defeated fellow Papua New Guineans Matthew Stubbings and Violet Apisah, both aged 15, 6-3, 7-5.

In the first set, the elder pair of Gibbons and Tere-Apisah left no room for return serves from their opponents.

Stubbing and Apisah hit some crunching returns in the second but it was not enough, and they were forced to settle for silver.

The bronze medal match, which was supposed to feature two pairs from New Caledonia, did not proceed due to an injury withdrawal.

Consequently, a walkover win and the bronze medal was awarded to Guillaume Monot and Yaelle Honakoko.


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