Bowls: Stewart Anderson claims World Indoor title

AUCHINLECK’S Stewart Anderson denied fellow Ayrshireman Paul Foster a place in the record books as he celebrated an epic 10-10, 10-9 victory in the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk yesterday.

Anderson, 27, took the title for the first time, while Foster was denied a record-equalling fifth crown and prevented from becoming the first-ever player to win all three world titles after already bagging the pairs and mixed pairs at Hopton-on-Sea.

The final certainly lived up to expectations and, while Foster was clearly disappointed to have suffered a first defeat in nine World Bowls Tour finals, he was gracious in defeat.

Anderson was in a position of strength in the first set when he led 10-6 with just two of the 11 ends remaining but Foster showed why he is provisional world No 1 by trailing the jack for three when facing a set lie and then claimed a single on the last end to tie the set.

Anderson led 6-1 after four ends of the second set but Foster battled his way back and, with the score at 9-9, the winner of the last end would be champion.

Anderson kept his nerves in check to draw within inches of the jack and that proved good enough to win him the coveted world crown after defeats in three previous WBT finals.

Foster sang Anderson’s praises and was magnanimous in defeat. He said: “Stewart played the better bowls and I was always chasing. He was always on target with his opening bowls and repeatedly closed heads down.”