The New Zealand women's fours team, led by Val Smith (pictured) were beaten 27-9 by Australia today at the World Bowls Championships in Christchurch ©Getty Images

Hosts New Zealand were forced to settle for four bronze medals at the World Bowls Championships in Christchurch today following semi-final defeats.

The men's pairs, men's triples and women's fours teams were all comprehensively beaten by their respective opponents while Jo Edwards narrowly lost to Scotland's Lesley Doig in the last four of the women's singles.

Edwards had guaranteed herself a medal earlier in the day when she overcame Norfolk Island's former world champion Carmen Anderson 21-20, but had to settle for bronze after losing to Doig 21-18.

Doig will now take on Australian Karen Murphy after she narrowly defeated Kelly McKerihen 21-20 in the other semi-final.

The New Zealand women's four of skip Val Smith, Angela Boyd, Katelyn Inch and Kirsten Edwards were also beaten after they conceded eight points in the first end to the Australian team led by Kelsey Cottrell.

Unable to draw level with their opponents the Kiwis were eventually went on to lose 27-9.

Standing between Australia and the gold medal will be England after they squeezed past the Philippines 18-15.

Ali Forsyth, Mike Nagy and Blake Signal were more competitive in the men's triples semi-finals, but were outclassed by Australia who won 18-10.

Meanwhile in the second semi-final, England comfortably beat Japan 18-9.

Scotland's Lesley Doig reached the final of the women's singles after she beat Jo Edwards 21-18 ©Getty Images
Scotland's Lesley Doig reached the final of the women's singles after she beat Jo Edwards 21-18 ©Getty Images

Shannon McIlroy and Mike Kernaghan completed a miserable day for the hosts after they were beaten 17-10 by Ireland's Iain McClure and Gary Kelly in the last four of the men's pairs competition. 

The Irish duo will now take on the Australian pair of Aaron Wilson and Brett Wilkie after they dispatched their Scottish rivals 17-11.

"It is very disappointing," New Zealand head coach Dave Edwards told New Zealand based website Stuff.

"We are going to have to go back and debrief on what went wrong.

"Everyone was in good nick going into the semis, mentally things were really strong.

"Jo battled away and was in it, but in the other three games we were really struggling from the get go and it's hard to put a finger on why."

The men's triples and women's fours finals are due to take place tomorrow while the women's singles and men's pairs gold medal matches will take centre stage on Sunday.