Knockout factor has Henry wary

THREE-TIME champion Jeremy Henry believes there are two key ingredients to winning the Australian Indoor bowls champion.

Firstly, under the knockout format in play at the undercover Tweed Heads Bowls Club carpet, is playing well.

Secondly, the 43-year-old Irishman says, you need luck.

“It’s knockout from the start so it can be short and sweet,” Henry said.

“And the hardest game is always the first one.”

Henry won the Aussie Indoors in 2011 and 2015-16 and as the reigning champion is No.1 seed in the men’s division.

Natasha Scott, from Raymond Terrace, is defending her 2016 women’s title and, as such, is top seed in her section.

Henry is one of five bowlers from the Warilla club near Wollongong to make the Indoor field. His clubmates are Aaron Teys, Jesse Noronha, Harley McDonald and Matthew Miles.

Miles is in the bottom half of the draw, the other four are together in the top half.

Australian representatives Aron Sherriff (NSW) and local Brett Wilkie both failed to qualify for the final fields.

History is against a Scott repeat this year given there is only one woman who has won the title more than once.

Karen Murphy is chasing a seventh tournament victory.

Play starts at 8am today with a further round at 6pm.

The knockout continues through tomorrow and Wednesday and winds up on Thursday with finals at 2pm (men) and women (11am).