Sarnians duo on the march

GUERNSEY is on the verge of something very special at the World Indoor Bowls Council Championships in Belfast. Alison Merrien and Nicky Donaldson continued their winning ways, reaching the semi-finals of the singles and also qualifying for the final of the two-bowl mixed pairs.

In the women's singles, Merrien finished runner-up in her section behind title holder Margaret Letham of Scotland after edging out Angharad Jones of Wales in her closing section match.

The Welsh teenager took the first set 9-4 after counting seven shots between the third and fifth ends but Merrien fought back strongly to take the second set 10-6 and force a three-end tiebreak.

The players swapped shots on the opening ends before Merrien collected the single needed to keep her title dream alive in a tense and exciting finale.

She later admitted: 'That was close but then I knew Angharad was an exciting prospect and that it would be tough.'

Merrien now renews acquaintance today with England's Carol Ashby in the semi-final having beaten the Eastbourne based star in the final of last week's British Isles singles in South Shields.

Merrien expects another hard fought contest, which will be televised live on BBC Northern Ireland.

'Carol has been in cruise control here all week and on Tuesday scored 59 shots in two games conceding only two. In our last meeting we were tied at 17-17 when I counted two doubles to win.

'On this occasion the format is different with sets play but I can't wait for the action to start.

'What is even more important is that Guernsey players are doing so well. We have never been involved at this stage in both singles competitions as well as the mixed pairs and it can only be good for all of the island's bowlers.'

Donaldson lost his last qualifying section game - his first reverse of the week - but still topped his group. He was beaten 3-9, 4-5 by Malaysia's Muhammad Azwain Shuhaimi but remained in pole position ahead of Scotland's Andrew Barker.

The Sarnian now faces an all Channel Islands semi-final clash this evening against Jersey's talented youngster Jamie McDonald.

Merrien and Donaldson will also line up in today's final of the mixed pairs after defeating Scotland's Scott McKenzie and Sandra Rennie in straight sets in the semi-final.

The Channel Islanders won 10-4, 9-4 taking control midway through the first set and remaining in command for what proved a comfortable victory. Merrien, who was in skip position, played particularly well and will look to maintain that form in the final against England's Mark Walton and Sue Westonby.

Remarkably, Merrien is bidding for a third triumph in the event with three different partners having won in the past with both Adrian Welch and Neal Mollet.