Scots pair beaten in final

SCOTLAND’S Paul Foster and Alex Marshall, who were hoping to equal the re c o rd set by the legendary partnership of David Bryant and Tony Allcock by winning the world indoor pairs title for the fourth time running, were beaten in yesterday’s final at Potters Resort.

City of Ely clubmates Nick Brett and Greg Harlow took a firm grip from the start but had to dig deep to tie the second set and avoid a tie-break before winning 13-4 7-7.

Foster and Marshall made a better start to the second set but the England duo took the lead for the first time in the set at 7-6, leaving the proud Scots looking for a double to win the set and earn the chance to contest a tie-break.

Foster trailed the jack to set up a count of two shots and, with two bowls still to be delivered, the defending champions held a set lie.

Harlow reduced the count to one but the England duo were well aware that Marshall had the last bowl and would have the last laugh if he drew to within a foot or so of the jack.

Of all the bowlers in the world, Marshall is probably the one to entrust with such a task but his bowl hung on a wide line, finishing agonisingly out of the count.

“If it had fallen in, it would have been in the count but it didn’t,” said Marshall ruefully.

“But Nicky and Greg played well and are worthy champions.

“As for us, we are disappointed, of course, but you just can’t expect to go on winning in this class of bowls.”

Later, a surprisingly nervous Stewart Anderson launched the defence of his title with a promising 9-2, 9-5 win over Croydon’s 19-yearold Josh Grant, a PBA qualifier.

“I kept thinking about previous champions like Paul Foster, Andy Thomson and Billy Jackson, who had fallen at the first hurdle, and I was determined it wouldn’t happen to me,” said the 28-year-old from Auchinleck.