YC&AC’s own Motoko T. is representing Japan at the 15th Asian Lawn Bowls Championships currently being held in Pattaya, Thailand.
Motoko will be playing in the Women’s Triples and Fours teams. We’ll try to keep you posted on Motoko’s progress by updating this page when we can.
The status on the evening of Day 2, March 6, is that Japan’s women’s triples team lost their first game yesterday, against Malaysia, by a score of 10-19, but won today’s match, against Hong Kong, 15-12.
And here is the evidence!
I don’t have all the stats at my disposal, but it seems that if Japan’s women beat Sri Lanka in their remaining group game tomorrow (Thurs. Mar. 7), they have a chance to progress to the knockout stages. But whatever happens tomorrow, there will always be this:
Updates to follow…
UPDATE [March 8]
Yesterday, Thursday March 7, Japan’s women’s triples team, starring our own Motoko T. (lead) alongside Tokyo Lawn Bowling Club’s Maiko K. (second) and Saki T. (skip), did the necessary and absolutely smashed Sri Lanka, 41-2.
The result meant the team finished second in their group (behind Malaysia) and thus progressed to the semi-finals.
And so, later that same day, the team faced off against the Philippines for a place in the final. The match was a [live-streamed; BJ FB is your friend] close one indeed, with the Philippines unfortunately just shading it, 15-11. Never mind. Our team, Kanto’s finest, will return to Japan with bronze medals. It’s a rare triumph indeed for Bowls Japan/bowls in Japan.
And more may yet be to follow!
For Motoko is also representing Japan, alongside the same Tokyo duo plus the equally excellent Yoko G. from Kobe, in the Women’s Fours. And after victory over India in Game 1 (16-15) …
… and Hong Kong in a nail-biting Game 2 (11-10!)…
… progress to the final stages again looks a distinct possibility. Japan plays Sri Lanka at 3:00 pm today, Saturday March 9.
Come on!
More updates to follow…
FINAL UPDATE, MARCH 11
As hoped …
Japan’s women’s fours team beat Sri Lanka (29-4) in their final game, topped their group and progressed to the semi-finals. It’s not often you’ll see 7 points scored in one end of fours (max is 8), so here for the record is the scorecard.
The semi-finals were played on Sunday morning, with Japan squaring off against Malaysia. After a shaky start in terms of points on the board, the Japan team rallied and with three ends left to play were just 11-12 down and holding the jack. Alas, it was unlucky end 13 for Japan, and the rest is history.
And so, having won bronze in the triples…
It was bronze again in the Fours.
What a fantastic effort!
Double bronze!
Congratulations Motoko, Maiko and Saki (and Yoko)! Congratulations Kanto! Congratulations Japan!
Lawn Bowls 
A big, big Hurrah to the Japanese teams for the three-somes and the four-somes. Congratulations, indeed! Well done. I am sure everyone who knows you is happy and proud of you. And I am one of them. Willy F
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