Wilson and O’Neill remain unbeaten in women’s pairs

Chloe Wilson and Shauna O’Neill have their destiny in their own hands after a fourth consecutive win in the women’s pairs over previously undefeated Guernsey duo Rose Ogier and Ali Merrien In straight sets 4-1, 8-1.

“We knew coming into today it was kind of a must-win game. So nice to get the win and reset and go again tonight,” Wilson told BBC Sport NI.

The scoreline doesn’t do justice to what was a tight encounter but it was the Northern Ireland pair that played the big shots when they were required the most.

The first set saw single shots taken on each of the five ends. Wilson and O’Neill won four of those ends to take the set 4-1.

“I think it was probably a wee bit scrappy from us at times, but we just didn't stop believing in each other. When Chloe was in, she covered me, and vice versa,” added O’Neill.

”So it was really nice to have that challenge. We hadn't really been that close in a set as yet, so it was nice to know that we can do that when we find ourselves in those tight positions.”

The match was decided in the opening two ends of the second set. Two brilliant bowls from O’Neill saw Northern Ireland take three shots and then followed that up with one more to take a quick 4-0 lead.

“Look, I was fortunate with my first bowl in the first end, where we got the three. I was lucky.

“But I played a good bowl in the second end and that kind of gave us the wee push forward. And then you kind of defend them from there out,” explained O’Neill.

From there they were able to defend the scoreboard but they did more than that, again with O’Neill shutting the door on any possible comeback from the Channel Islanders.

Wilson and O’Neill will be back in action later today against Zambia but a shootout with Australia, who have one loss to their name tomorrow morning seems likely for a place in the semi-finals.