The near-two-hour stand-off began at 10:30am and ended with Henry outplaying Yamasoto to win 2 sets to nil.
It also marked the first time that Henry has represented Australia at the Bowls World Cup, having formerly played for his native Ireland. This year, Ireland is well represented by men’s Bowls World Cup champion, James Talbot and Graham McKee.
“I’ve played pretty well today, so hopefully I’m off and running now,” Henry said. “It’s a long tournament, [just] so long as you don’t rule yourself out early.”
Also on the indoor lawn this morning was Malaysia’s Muhammad Hizlee Abdul Rais, who won his match against the United States’ Neil Furman. South Africa’s Bobby Donnelly trumped Spain’s Paul Brown and Hong Kong’s Tony Cheung lost his draw against Ireland.
Australia’s women’s representative is Shell Cove resident Karen Murphy, who won her first round match on day one in straight sets against the United States’ Dee McSparran.
World Bowls President John McArdle has openly invited anyone and everyone to come along and watch the free event.
“I say come along and enjoy some of the best exponents of our sport as they go all out to be World champions,” McArdle wrote in the official program.
The Bowls World Cup is a nine-day event with competitors from 22 countries. Matches are scheduled from March 27 to April 4, rolling from 8:30am to 8:30pm each day.
Words: SEAN SOLTYS
Pictures: NATHAN THOMPSON
Video: SIMON ANDERSON