World Bowls Champion of Champions: Niue bowler keeps unbeaten run after second day of competition

Niue's Joy Preyoux is among the five women who remain unbeaten at the end of the second day of the World Bowls Champion of Champions Singles in Auckland.

Preyoux, who defeated China's Mei Kuen Chan, scoring 6-5 and 6-6 over two sets in Round 3 on Wednesday, is the only Pacific Island player yet to lose a game.

That sees her as a top contender for the singles title, currently being defended by American bowler Anne Nunes.

Her earlier results saw her defeat Wales' Katie Thomas 2-0 in Round 1, and Canada's Claire Day by the same margin in Round 2 on Tuesday.

She was scheduled to meet Ireland's Sarah Kelly and Norfolk Island's Shae Wilson on Thursday in Rounds 4 and 5, takes on Switzerland's Marianne Kuenzle in Round 6 on Friday before facing Milika Nathan of Tonga on Saturday.

Tonga's Nathan defeated Wilson of Norfolk Island in Round 3 and Wales' Katie Thomas in Round 2.

Wilson, who won her first round game for Norfolk on Tuesday, has dropped two matches.

The other unbeaten women players after day two are defending champion Anne Nunes, who is attempting to become the first person to successfully defend the World Bowls Champion of Champions singles title, India's Nayan Moni Saikia, Australia's Laini McGorman and Stef Branfield from England.

In the men's competition, the Pacific Island players have had some tough going.

Royden Aperau of the Cook Islands won his Round 3 game on Wednesday, claiming a two sets win over Wayne Roberts of South Africa.

But he lost to Tonga's Nicky Third on Round 4, Third winning that encounter by two sets.

While Aperau fought back to win his Round 5 game against Sri Lanka's Ranjith Vasantha Randeniya, Third was no match for world number two, Malysia's Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in their match on Wednesday afternoon.

New Zealand Bowls said local champion Aiden Takarua is top contender for the men's title, continuing his unbeaten run on the second day.

The New Zealand Singles champion is one of four men to remain unbeaten after four rounds in the championship.

The 25-year-old joins Australia's Lee Schraner, India's Putal Sonowa,l and England's Lewis King as the unbeaten men.

Takarua said he wants to keep improving.

"Staying consistent was the big one for me. The speed is different coming from B Green to A Green, but I got on top of it with and getting into the tournament now and starting to get a feel for the greens," he said.

"The back green is very fast and the A Green is faster than the B Green. There are three different greens that you need to work out but I feel I am getting the hang of them. I was pleased that I am staying in the games, and make sure I am re-setting in between sets to ensure I make two games of it."

New Zealand Bowls has said over 50 of the best bowlers from 30 nations are competing at the event this week.

Competition continues at the Browns Bay Bowling Club in North Harbour today.