GRAHAM Shadwell has kept his hopes alive of securing a medal in the men’s pairs championship at the 2012 World Bowls Championships in Australia, writes DAVE EATON.

The Trowbridge bowler, together with partner Jamie Chestney, are through to the semi-final play-offs in Adelaide.

Shadwell, who plays for Spencer Moulton (Bradford on Avon), and Chestney (Kings BC, Torquay), representing England, booked their place in the next phase with two wins on the final day of the pairs group matches.

They beat Hong Kong China 17-10 and followed that up with a fine 17-12 success over fourth placed New Zealand.

These two victories took their final total to 10 wins out of 11 matches in Pool One, but despite finishing joint top with Canada, whose short difference was 29 better.

The big surprise in the round 11 matches was the defeat of leaders Wales 24-14 by Malaysia and they slipped from first to third place on 18 points.

Canada grabbed the automatic semi-final spot from England on shots difference while Scotland won Pool 2.

Shadwell and Chestney plus the Welsh duo of Jason Greenslade and Robert Weale move into the post sectional pairs play-offs alongside the second and third in Pool 2 - hosts Australia and Ireland.

These matches will be played tomorrow morning (9am) and the draw has pitched England against Wales, the only side that Shadwell and Chestney lost to in the Pool 1 group games. The other play-off sees Ireland face hosts Australia.

The winner of England and Wales will face Scotland in the afternoon semi-finals (2pm) while Canada await the victors from the other play-off match.

The pairs final will be played on Thursday morning (10am) on December 6.

It could be a busy but very important few days for Shadwell as he is also due to compete in the fours play-offs on Wednesday, December 5 with Mark Bantock, Robert Newman and Stuart Airey.

MORE ON SHADWELL'S PROGRESS IN ADELAIDE AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT THIS WEEK AND IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES