World Bowls Championships: De Sousa debut "fantastic"

The manager of the Jersey men's bowls team has hailed Malcolm de Sousa's performance at the World Championships as "fantastic" for the island.

De Sousa, 21, has reached the knockout stages in his first appearance at the tournament in Adelaide, Australia.

And he faces New Zealand's Shannon McIlroy in a play-off on Wednesday for a place in the last four.

"His demeanour on the green is just so natural. I've been amazed watching him," said Jersey boss Brian Bisson.

"For a young man the future really is rosy.

"To reach the quarter-finals in your first appearance is nothing short of fantastic for the island."

He added: "Some of the bowls is just phenomenal and he's got all aspects of the modern game and he's been right up there with the best of them over this tournament"

The winner of the McIlroy-de Sousa match will meet Australia's Leif Selby in the semi-finals at Lockleys Bowling Club.

Jersey sent a team of 10 to the tournament but the island's representatives in the men's pairs, triples and fours all missed out on the knockout stages.

The women's players also failed to make it through their groups.