Reigning women's pairs gold medallists Jo Edwards and Val Smith advanced towards possible back-to-back world championship victories in Adelaide today when they defeated England's Ellen Falkner and Wendy King in their quarter-final match at Lockleys Bowls Club.
In stiff winds, Edwards and Smith won the 18-end eliminator 18-17.
The English pair, who trailed 13-18 with one end to play, managed four shots on the final end when the last delivery of the match ricocheted into a pack of bowls.
However, the defending champions, who combined brilliantly, had strategically positioned bowls to ensure the England duo had no chance of collecting five for an extra end.
This afternoon Edwards and Smith were to meet Filipina pair Maila Witheridge and Ainie Knight, who topped section two in last week's qualifying rounds, in a semifinal to decide who plays the winner of the corresponding Scotland versus Australia eliminator.
Quarter-final results:
Women's pairs: New Zealand beat England 18-17, Scotland beat Wales 22-14.
Men's pairs: Australia beat Ireland 23-11, England beat Wales 23-9.
