2nd February 2010
Howard Harding

English qualifier Tim Stone produced an impressive upset on the third day of first round action in the Gravells Welsh International Open when he beat Australia's three times former champion Kelvin Kerkow to reach the last 16 of the World Bowls Tour event at the City and County of Swansea Indoor Bowls Club in Swansea.

Stone, whose first child Harry was born last month only hours before he made his debut in the 2010 Potters Holidays World Singles Championship in Norfolk, edged ahead of the Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the first set - but overwhelmed Kerkow, the No12 seed from Queensland, in the second to win 7-6, 12-4.

In an all-East Anglian second round clash, the 31-year-old from Norwich will take on Suffolk's Mark Royal after the world number two defeated Scottish qualifier Jamie Hanlan 6-6, 11-3.

In the third English success of the day, 15th seed Simon Skelton became the first player to earn a place in the quarter-finals when he beat Australian qualifier Gerard Beath in straight sets.

Beath, the 33-year-old from New South Wales who made the headlines on the opening day when he ousted England's defending champion Robert Chisholm, made a good early start against the 37-year-old world No14 from Nottingham.

But Skelton, eager to make up for his shock early World Championship exit last month, soon took control and wrapped up his 7-5, 8-3 victory.