Priaulx digs deep for title double
TODD PRIAULX has regained his island open singles title and retained the triples championship, but he had to overcome two almighty battles to do so at the GIBA Stadium.
At the end of a long day for the Commonwealth Games bowler, he put the finishing touch to a tight 19-17 win for Pembroke Boys over Ali Merrien's Firing Squad, but pre-lunch he made a stirring fightback to edge out Ian Merrien 21-18 in the open singles final.
In that individual clash Priaulx found himself 7-2 down after seven ends, but slowly he came back into the tie and with a succession of singles, interspersed by the odd two, edged 13-11 ahead.
Merrien went five ends without scoring, but revived his fortunes with a triple to go 14-13 in front.
Priaulx levelled with a single and then took a grip with his own triple to be 17-14 ahead and just four from the golden 21-shot mark.
Merrien was not lying down, though, and his third triple of the match brought him level again at 17-17 after a marathon 22 ends.
The champion then produced two doubles in three ends to secure the title which he was to double later after another tight encounter.
More in Thursdays Guernsey Press.
