Ian's final dream endedin Oz

IAN MERRIEN'S remarkable challenge for the WBL World Cup came to an honourable end at the Warilla bowls club in New South Wales this morning when he lost 9-6, 10-6 to Commonwealth Games champion Kelvin Kerkow, from the host nation.

'I was just behind on both last ends.'

The Guernseyman was not, overall, too disappointed having done better than most against Kerkow who, a few hours later, went on to beat Ireland's 2000 world outdoor champion, Jeremy Henry, in the final.

'Since the group stages I've got closest to him than anybody,' said Merrien.

Kerkow, who suffered from Guillain Barre syndrome as a child, uses a specially designed walking aid when he is bowling to help him keep his balance on the mat, because his ankles are weak.

In other respects, he is every inch an athletic Aussie, who has established himself in the top 16 of the World Bowls Tour (WBT) professional rankings. And he is certainly Australia's number one bowler at present.

The 38-year-old Queenslander did not have it his own way.

Merrien, the husband of Alison, matched him bowl for bowl and the final score shows just how close it was.

Kerkow was hoping to complete an Aussie double, following the success of Judy Nardella in the final of the parallel women's event, Nardella defeating the favourite Lorna Trigwell, from South Africa, 11-8, 3-8, 2-0.

Merrien had made an astonishing late run in his group campaign.

After losing five of his first six matches, he strung five straight wins together to qualify for the last eight by the skin of his teeth. He then beat the defending champion, Neil Speirs, from Scotland, in the quarter finals.