Archer bows out
Neville Rodda has eliminating world number eight, Scottish star Graeme Archer
Reigning Australia Open pairs winner Neville Rodda has produced one of the big upsets of the tournament after eliminating Scottish star Graeme Archer.
The world number eight was granted a wildcard into the event after recently skipping his country to gold and silver medals during a stellar performance at the Atlantic Rim Championships in Cyprus, but the Brighton bowler proved he was up to the test, making quick work of the international giant.
Rodda dominated the opening set, picking up an early 3 and taking the rest in his stride, scoring on five of the eight ends to claim the set 10-4. He failed to maintain the margin early in the second, with Archer clawing back a 6-1 lead on the sixth end, but Rodda declared his intentions with 7 shots over the last four ends to record a 10-4, 8-7 win.
His partner in crime and defending Australian Open pairs champion Lee Schraner wasn’t as fortunate in his second round encounter, going down to Warrnambool’s Neil Crisp 5-9, 9-6, 2-3.
Fellow Victorian state representative Barrie Lester also succumbed in the round, losing to Peter Kennedy 14-9, 5-12, 2-3, but he’s chances of a maiden Australian Open title remain alive in the pairs and triples.
Click here for full results from the 2012 Australian Open men’s singles.