The respective league tables for the ongoing WEPF world team championship categories started to take shape during day two in Killarney, as nations looked to place themselves well for qualification into the knockout phases.

In the men’s division, reigning champions and event favourites England went top of the table following a fine day’s work which saw them defeat Malta 12-9 and Northern Ireland 14-7. With eight points on the board – four wins from four – they are the only side left in the competition with a 100% record.

Northern Ireland and France also have eight points each - but have played a match more - while Malta are fourth and Wales are fifth.

After two agonising deciding frame defeats on the opening day, host nation Ireland bounced back with two victories to move into sixth – the final qualification spot, although we are not even halfway through the round robin fixtures yet.

The ladies team event looks set to be a thriller with all seven teams separated by just two points – every side has tasted victory already.

South Africa, England and Ireland all have two wins out of three; Australia and Wales have two out of four. The top four will advance to the semi-finals.

The over-50s category also looks set for a fascinating finish, with not a single undefeated nation left in the event.

India, Australia, Malta and England currently occupy a cosmopolitan top four for the semi-finals, but again, a lot can happen in the coming days to shake those teams around.

We saw several deciding frame finishes in the under-25 championship on Thursday, which ended with hosts Ireland A on top, although only because they earlier defeated Malta – a side they share an identical points and frame aggregate record with.

France are behind by virtue of just a single frame, while Ireland B and England B sit behind them with also the same points and frames records.