Donaldson the great

NICK DONALDSON joined the list of Guernsey bowls greats after capturing the biggest prize of his career to date in Belfast yesterday when he won the World Indoor Bowls Council men's singles. National champions from 10 countries competed for one of the most prestigious titles in the sport and Donaldson edged out Scotland's Andrew Barker 8-3, 4-9, 2-0 in the final.

After dominating the opening exchanges, when the experience of the 45-year-old Channel Islander told against his 18-year-old opponent, Donaldson had to fend off a spirited fightback by the young Scot. The Guernsey star started well going 6-0 ahead after four ends before stretching his advantage to 8-1 after seven.

Donaldson then led 4-2 after five ends of the second set before Barker counted a maximum four shots on the sixth to go 6-4 in front.

He then added a double and a single to take the set and force a three-end match tiebreaker.

However Donaldson kept his nerve and scored on each of the first two to clinch victory.

The delighted champion later revealed: ?Earlier in the week I was bemoaning the fact I had been involved in so many tiebreakers but I was delighted to win this one today. This is by far my most significant achievement to date and it is particularly sweet as last year I lost out on qualifying for the semi-finals here due to the rules of the competition when I assumed I was through.'

Donaldson joked: 'I would say to folks back home in Guernsey - I've only gone and done it. My friends in the island's bowling community will know what I mean by that.'

In the semis Donaldson defeated Jersey's Jamie McDonald 12-1, 6-6 to make up for losing in the final of the mixed pairs with Alison Merrien.

They were edged out 7-6, 7-7 by England's Mark Walton and Sue Westoby.

Donaldson admitted: 'I felt as if we blew it and I'm disappointed especially for Alison who was chasing a unique treble and looking to win for a third time with three different partners.'

Merrien also lost out in the semis of the singles, a classic contest which was by far the best game of the week.

She and England's high-profile 'bowls babe' Carol Ashby fought out a titanic encounter with Merrien leading 6-2 after five ends before Ashby counted a maximum four to tie at 6-6. However, singles on both the seventh and eighth ends proved enough to give the Guernsey woman the set 8-7.

In the second set it was Ashby who went 6-2 in front after five before Merrien reduced the deficit to 6-5. In fact it was 7-7 going into the ninth and final end in which the English ace counted a single to force the match tiebreaker.

Ashby then counted singles on both the first two ends to secure her place, leaving a disappointed Merrien to groan: 'I've had better days.'