GRAHAM SHADWELL’S hopes of winning a medal in the men’s fours at the 2012 World Bowls Championships in Australia, are still alive - but only after a major scare.

Despite a defeat on day five in their 11th and final group match to Wales, other results in their section went England's way.

England’s four of Trowbridge’s Shadwell (Spencer Moulton) plus Reading’s Mark Bantock and Robert Newman together with skip Stuart Airey (Carlisle, Cumbria) managed to eventually finish third in Pool One to advance to the next stage.

That was a disappointment as at the halfway stage after six matches they led the group with five wins and a draw.

But in the last five only won two, lost twice to Ireland and Wales and drew with lowly Namibia.

On day five after round 10, Ireland led Pool One on 18 points with England second on 16, Malaysia were third with 15 while Wales lay fourth on 15 points but with an inferior shots difference.

But the nerves seemed to have got to the main contenders in the 11th and final round as Ireland lost out 15-14 to China but England could not capitalise as they lost 17-15 to Wales.

Fortunately for England, who dropped to third place, they were saved as Malaysia lost out to New Zealand 25-10.

Ireland therefore won Pool One with 18 points from the 11 games and move forward into semi-final one with Pool Two winners, hosts Australia in the other.

Wales and England move into the sectional play-offs along with Scotland and South Africa who finished second and third in the other pool on 16pts while Canada missed-out on shots difference.

The four play-off teams go into a random draw with the two winners progressing to join Ireland and Austrlia in the semi-finals.

However, these matches will not be played until next Wednesday (December 5).

Shadwell, in the meantime, turns his attentions for the next six days to the men’s World Pairs Championship where he teams up with Devon’s Jamie Chestney (Torquay United) who just missed out on a play-off spot in the men’s singles.

Shadwell (lead) and Chestney opens with games on Thursday against Canada and Malaysia while on Friday they face three matches against United States of America, Phillipines and Wales.

MORE ON SHADWELL'S PROGRESS AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND MORE BOWLS NEWS IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES