Ali is up with the best

ALISON MERRIEN is up there with the best in the world. There is no world ranking list to prove it but some of the world's top players are saying it after the Guernsey woman wrapped up her second world mixed pairs title last weekend.

Welsh number one Betty Morgan, who lost to Merrien, 29, in the Champion of Champions semi-finals in Australia last winter, said: 'Yes, she's definitely one of the best in the world.

'I see something of me in Alison - she's good at drawing to the jack, but has a natural tendency to attack the head.'

And two of the older generation of established stars, Scotland's Joyce Lindores and Ireland legend Margaret Johnston were also keen to sing the Guernsey woman's praises.

'I have always been impressed with Alison's skill and fighting ability,' said Lindores, who has won World, Commonwealth Games and Atlantic Rim pairs titles.

'When she beat us in the mixed pairs final, I was delighted for her, because we all felt she was due a major title.'

Johnston, who is universally regarded as the most successful woman bowler in the world over the past 20 years, agreed: 'Oh yes! - Alison's definitely going to be one to look out for in the future.

'She's so cool, calm and collected, and never panics - and that's the mark of a champion.'

Welshman Brian Davies, secretary of the World Indoor Bowls Council, said it had been a major surprise that Merrien didn't qualify for the knockout stage in the singles in Belfast, but her form in the mixed pairs was impressive.

'To be honest, if you were picking the top indoor player in the world, you'd probably have to go for Carol Ashby or Julie Forrest, but Alison's name would definitely crop up in the discussion.'

Guernsey Indoor Bowling Association president Charlie Renouf said she had developed into the complete player.

'Not only does she have the skill, but she knows how to use it and she can play all the shots,' he added.

'She's also a good mixer and that's so important when you are representing your country, but her greatest attribute is her temperament and she's great at playing under pressure.'

Sadly, despite her position as one of the world's top bowlers, Merrien has to earn a living away from the sport and has had to make herself unavailable for Women's World Bowls in England this September.

'Obviously it would have been nice to have another crack at the world outdoor singles title - if I'd been picked - but first things first and there's a living to earn,' she said as she left Belfast after her latest triumph.

As the 2003 Guernsey champion, however, she will be winging her way across the globe again in November to compete in the world women's Champion of Champions event at Warilla in NSW.