Both the England Men’s and Women’s Pairs teams have enjoyed good starts in the group stages of the Hong Kong International Classic.

The Men’s team of Dominic McVittie and Harry Goodwin, plus the women’s team of Amy Pharaoh and Sophie Tolchard finish the fourth day of competition in strong positions as they look to advance into the knockout rounds.

The first two days of the Classic saw England’s players compete in the Men’s and Women’s Singles.

All four secured strong wins in the opening rounds, but missed out on a slot in the final rounds in a world class field of bowlers.

England Well Placed in Pairs

After multiple wins across the first two days of the Pairs competition, both the England men and women are near the top of their respective groups.

With a top four berth needed to progress into the knockout rounds, strong performances in the first few games would be crucial.

McVittie and Goodwin currently sit fifth after five games in a competitive group where the top five pairs are separated by just one point.

The pair have won two games and lost three, however with set wins playing a factor, their ability to win big and lose narrowly sees them sitting above the likes of Canada, South Africa and Malaysia.

Men’s Pairs Results:

• Game 1 vs South Africa | Won 10-5,9-7
• Game 2 vs India | Lost 6-7, 7-7
• Game 3 vs Youth Development Team | Lost 11-10, 6-12 (on total shots)
• Game 4 vs Club de Recreio | Won 7-5, 19-6
• Game 5 vs SBI-Lawn Bowls Alumni Limited | Lost 4-11, 7-6 (on total shots)

Pharaoh and Tolchard find themselves in fourth place (of 12) after five tough games that pitted them against four of the current top six in their group.

Despite bagging three wins, the highlight of the first few matches was arguably a thrilling draw with an in-form South African pair, who sit one place above them in third and currently hold a sizeable +45 shot difference.

Women’s Pairs Results:

• Game 1 vs Youth Development Team | Lost 6-11, 5-8
• Game 2 vs Tseung Kwan O Bowling Club | Won 16-3, 10-4
• Game 3 vs South Africa | Drew 6-8, 11-9
• Game 4 vs Malaysia | Won 11-6, 12-4
• Game 5 vs USA | Won 8-3, 11-13 (on total shots)

Good Showing for Tolchard in Singles

England’s Sophie Tolchard made it to the third round of the Hong Kong International Classic Singles, before falling to eventual semi finalist Manu Kumari Pal of India.

Tolchard displayed good form right from the beginning of the Classic, besting local bowler Denise Wu in commanding fashion, winning 8-3, 7-2 in straight sets.

She later showed poise under pressure in a much closer match with South Africa’s Dezi Rosenblatt, coming through that game 6-5, 6-5, again in two sets.

Round three then brought the challenge of Kumari Pal, who got the better of Tolchard despite a valiant effort, winning 11-3, 9-6.

Amy Pharaoh also won her first round match, defeating Shadow Law with a 3-2 tiebreaker set after splitting the first two sets 7-6, 2-9.

The Lincolnshire bowler was then drawn against Cheryl Chan of Hong Kong, 2024’s Women’s Singles winner at the Classic and gold medal winner in the Women’s Pairs at the recent World Bowls World Cup.

Pharaoh pushed Chan all the way in the first set, losing 5-6 before the home favourite was able to take momentum into the second, winning the game 5-6, 1-8.

McVittie and Goodwin also looked good in their first round matches, getting past local bowlers O. B. Adem (6-5, 8-0) and Mark Mak (10-1, 9-2) respectively.

McVittie was then unfortunately knocked out by local bowler Imen Tang 3-8, 3-7, before Goodwin was edged out by Scotland’s Darren Gualtieri 4-4, 4-6 in an exciting game.

What’s Next?

The competition will take a break on 19 November, before firing up again for the remaining Men’s and Women’s Pairs group matches and into the knockout rounds.

For daily information on results, the team line-ups and the full itinerary, click the link below:

Watch the Action

Every final will be streamed live on YouTube. Click the link below to find out more:

You can also keep up with the Hong Kong International Classic through news and reports on our website and social media channels.