Donaldson hat-trick feat is emulated by Merrien

ALISON MERRIEN and Nick Donaldson both clinched island singles hat-tricks in the quiet of the Guernsey Bowls Stadium on Saturday morning. Donaldson swept aside Steve Le Noury 21-8 in 16 ends, while Merrien, who has now won the indoor title six times in seven years, had to work a little harder to overcome her British indoor women's pairs partner, Lianna Bichard, 21-13 after 19.

At 45, Donaldson is playing as well as ever or, as he puts it, more consistently.

'I'm definitely more consistent and I think playing in the PBA twice a year has helped,' he said after adding his third-straight island crown.

Donaldson, who beat Ian Merrien in the 2003 final and Dan de la Mare last time, was never threatened and romped away with the aid of four threes.

The champion sympathised with his opponent who, Donaldson said, can play better.

'He's a very good drawer to the jack, but he was off his game.

'I'm quite happy with my own game and could feel the weight for a change.'

At the opposite end of the green, Merrien had a flying start and with two three-shot hauls and a full house was 11-1 after just five ends.

But, to her credit, the left-handed Bichard dug in and thereafter won more ends than she lost. Singles and two-shot hauls could not atone for the early damage, though.

Merrien has, by her own admission, had other things on her mind of late and not been at her best.

Rarely is she pushed in singles play locally, only Bichard of the women being remotely near her in standard.

If only former greats Jenny Nicolle and Fleur Bougourd would come out of retirement to give her greater competition.

She could do with taking on Donaldson and the like from time to time, but the best men do not play the singles league.

'I felt I had a solid game,' said Merrien a few moments after clinching victory.

'I was pleased to get the solid start which was what I was after.'

Only the Jersey champion now stands in her way of clinching another CI title at the Hougue du Pommier early in January, but an altogether much bigger event is her focus.

'Hopefully, I can now just focus on the Commonwealths and finding my peak.'

Bichard's bright-pink bowls seemed to get closer to the jack as long as the match went on, but being the champion she is, Merrien often went that little better than her opponent who should be pleased with her performance over the second part of the final.

Indeed, she claimed the mat in seven of the last 13 ends.