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Wales 3 – 1 South Africa

Wales went through to the semi-finals of the World Cup after coming out on top in an exciting encounter with South Africa.

The result of the match was decided in a tense deciding leg after Wales had won one and lost one of the singles games, and were tied 3-3 in the pairs.

Mark Webster had cruised past Shawn Hogan with a stunning display before Richie Burnett was edged out by Devon Petersen.

The pair teamed up to come through the doubles and set up a potential semi-final tie with tournament favourites England.

MARK WEBSTER 4 – 0 Shawn Hogan

Mark Webster continued his remarkable run of form in the World Cup with a second consecutive whitewash. The Welshman wasted little time in grabbing the first point of the match for Wales by beating South Africa’s Shawn Hogan 4-0.

Webster produced some clinical checkouts. He took out 94 to win the first leg and 76 to take the second. ‘Spider’ raced into a 3-0 lead by hitting double ten. He posted his first maximum in the fourth and final leg, which he won with a brilliant eleven darter.

Richie Burnett 3 – 4 Devon Petersen

Richie Burnett suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of promising youngster Devon Petersen, meaning Wales’ fate would be decided in the pairs.

Burnett fell behind but responded with a maximum before drawing level. Petersen retook the lead and Burnett replied with another 180, before hitting double two to restore parity.

The young South African went back in front with a 105 checkout, but Burnett refused to be beaten and took out 41 to set up a deciding leg. The Prince of Wales hit 140, 180 and then 130 in the final leg but it wasn’t enough as Petersen took out 116 to win the game and draw the match level on points.

WEBSTER & Burnett 4 – 3 Hogan & Petersen

Wales secured their semi-final spot by winning an intense decider in the doubles. Mark Webster and Richie Burnett were made to work hard by the South African pairing of Shawn Hogan and Devon Petersen, but the Welshmen won the battle to progress.

Webster hit double top to give Wales the lead and Burnett hit double ten to double it. Hogan took out 100 to pull a leg back for South Africa and then 52 to draw level.

Burnett hit double eight to edge Wales back in front but Hogan took out 121 to set up a deciding leg. Webster just missed the bull for a 122 finish before Burnett hit double eight, making Petersen pay for a miscount.

Wales will play either England or USA in tomorrow’s semi-final.

By Chris Murphy