Bowls: Marshall and Foster battle into final

Defending champions Paul Foster and Alex Marshall had to dig deep to secure a final berth in the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines World Indoor Pairs bowls championship at the Potters Leisure Resort last night.

The Scots trailed English pairing Mark Royal and Andy Thomson from the opening end of the first set and lost 7-5, but in the second, Marshall played three stunning key ends that turned the scoreline in their favour, and then drew a back toucher with his first delivery on the last end to win 7-6 and square the match at one set all and then they went on to win a tense tie break 2-1.

“It was a really tough match with good bowls played all round. It could have gone either way but we’re just delighted to be in the final. Mark was sensational though,” admitted Marshall later.

Troon-based Foster, who returned to play National League matches for Prestwick after batting in East Lothian’s corner for the last two seasons, could be on the move again after Prestwick were relegated from the Premier Division on Saturday, said: “I didn’t play badly in the first set but Mark was just in blistering form, he was relentless.”

The final won’t be played until Monday January 23 where they will meet Welsh pair Jason Greenslade and Rob Weale in the title decider. The Welshmen got the better of Nick Brett and Greg Harlow from Cambridge 6-5, 7-5.

Today, play continues in the singles, with Colin Walker from Pathhead getting his show on the road. He will face No.8 seed and former winner David Gourlay who is Scotland’s High Performance Coach.