His Engadine clubmate Shane Garvey attracted all the pre-tournament hype, but Dave Roberts made a barnstorming start to the singles at the South Pacific Bowls contest at Towradgi yesterday.Roberts, who teamed with championship favourite Garvey in the Cougars side that won the NSW Premier League earlier this month, won all three sectional games convincingly to advance to Saturday's play-offs.The former Fairy Meadow bowler began his section four campaign with a 25-9 triumph over St Johns Park's David Brazier before accounting for Terrigal entrant Paul Butler 25-14.Roberts, who lives at Corrimal, secured his post-sectional berth with an eight-shot victory over Albion Park's Brian Godfrey.The 2001 Zone 16 Champion of Champions fours winner was coy about his chances of advancing deep into the prestigious tournament despite his blazing start."No - if I get there, I get there, I'm happy getting through the section," Roberts said when asked if he was daring to dream of a maiden South Pacific crown."I haven't played serious singles for a long time, but it's worked out well."I haven't played South Pacific for a few years, I have made it through the sectional play a few times, but normally I get knocked out in the first or second game of the post-sectional."To avoid that fate this year, Roberts will most likely have to overcome Ryde Phoenix bowler Andrew Swan, who eliminated English-born Spanish representative Peter Bonsor from section three."I've seen Andrew and played against him a few times, he will be a very hard game," Roberts said.Bonsor - playing in his first South Pacific - was not the only high-profile casualty. Dapto's Brett Pieper was eliminated after losing 25-15 to unheralded Oak Flats player Ted Dean in section five.NSW Senior representative Brian Harriott and Engadine's Anthony Moran failed to survive the section 14 "group of death" at Thirroul.Towradgi bowler Mal Lyons emerged as the ultimate victor after winning all three matches in the tightest of the 60 sections.Garvey, Matt Sargeant, John Green, Geoff McGillivray and Shaun Parnis survived their sections.