Ali feels the pain of narrow defeat

ALI MERRIEN has never looked more disappointed.

At Potters Leisure Resort yesterday she was pipped on a tiebreak in the final of the Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines women's world Matchplay singles championship by Norfolk's own Rebecca Field.

'It's not because I lost,' the 36-year-old Sarnian explained, after Field (23) had returned an 11-7, 8-10, 2-1 scorecard.

'It's more because I felt I could have played better. It's probably the worst I've played in the four singles finals I've been involved in here at Potters.'

Most observers felt Merrien was being too hard on herself, because after the first few ends, she settled to a good all-round game and matched Field every step of the way, contributing immensely to one of the best matches ever witnessed on the rink.