Karen Murphy, who read the oath at the Opening Ceremony of Gold Coast 2018, was knocked out of the women's singles ©Getty Images

South Africa’s Colleen Piketh ended the Commonwealth 2018 dream of home favourite Karen Murphy in the women’s singles of the lawn bowls in a nerve shredding finale to a day of shocks here.

Piketh was left but watch as Murphy launched her final effort which fell just short.

"Her bowl was locked against mine," she said.

"I tried to play and cover all the options I suppose. 

"You just have to protect, that’s why I put one at the tee."

The atmosphere was more like a football match than bowls.

"It was very loud," Piketh said. 

"Actually to be honest it’s a bit rude but its part of I suppose being a home country and you’ve got to live with it.

‘’If I can get through that who knows what I can do the next match."

A sister act helped by mum helped Malta through to the semi finals of the women’s fours.

They beat India 13-11 and will meet South Africa in the first semi-final

Australian-born sisters Connie Leigh and Rebecca Rixon played alongside mother Rosemarie in a team which included Sharon Cullus.

South Africa's Colleen Piketh beat home favourite Karen Murphy to reach the semi-finals of the women's singles ©Getty Images
South Africa's Colleen Piketh beat home favourite Karen Murphy to reach the semi-finals of the women's singles ©Getty Images

"We are a little bit local," joked Connie Leigh.

"Its something special to do it as a family and with Sharon. 

"It has been an experience unlike any other.

"We will picture the medal at the end of the day. 

"We all want to be on that podium but playing with the family has been more of an honour."

The draw for the semi-finals has kept them apart from Australia who meet Canada.

Malta face South Africa.

In a head-to-head that could only come at the Commonwealth Games, the Norfolk Islands men beat England in another nailbiter that went to an extra end to earn a triples semi against Scotland.

"Its elation because we just beat one of the world powers in bowls," said the Norfolk Island's Hadyn Evans.

"We are descendants of the Mutiny on the Bounty, we have always maintained our identity as part English part our Tahitian forbears but we have a mixed culture.

"We are glad that we can participate in the Commonwealth Games and prove to the rest of the world that we are different in some way.

"We are very competitive when it comes to lawn bowls. 

"This will certainly bring some limelight to who we are."

The young Cook Islands pairs bowlers Aiden Zittersteijn and Taiki Paniani beat South Africa 15-14 to move into the men's semi-finals and a meeting with Wales.