Bowls: Alex Marshall adds 19th world title

TRANENT’S Alex Marshall 
became the first bowler to win 19 world titles – indoor and outdoor – as he secured his third-successive indoor pairs title with Paul Foster.

The duo saw off fellow Scots, Stewart Anderson of Auchinleck and Arbroath’s Darren Burnett, in a tense final to win the Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines World indoor pairs title at Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk.

Marshall and Foster took the first set 9-7 before Anderson and Burnett clinched the second 8-7. Marshall then drew the match-winner with the last delivery on the third and final end of the shoot-out.

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Marshall admitted: “Winning 19 world titles is a huge honour for me. Tony Allcock and I had 18 from various international events so this one, particularly a third pairs in a row at Potters with Paul so soon after our success in Adelaide, is very special. Stewart was relentless. Paul has done that many times to other players but no-one really does that to Paul; he had to keep digging deep to and try to keep Stewart in check.”

Foster said: “I wasn’t on top of my game – Stuart kept me in my place – but Alex and I play as a team and bounce off each other. I think the man thrives on the pressure. We could have won the first set but Alex played some really big bowls.

“I had a chance to take the shot bowl out on the second end of the tie-break and win the match. I should have hit the target but I missed.” Foster and Burnett come face-to-face again today in the 
final of the World Matchplay Mixed Pairs title. Foster is partnered by Laura Thomas from Wales while Burnett lines up with Australia’s Karen Murphy.

Meanwhile, in the second round of the singles, Marshall takes on Scotland’s David Gourlay while, in another all-Scottish affair, Anderson will take on 
Alloa’s Steven Allan.

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