Pitschou finally defeats McHugh to stay in hunt
BOWLS ace Gary Pitschou, who has always been a thorn in the side of the world's top bowlers, forced his way into the knockout stage of the WBL world outdoor singles championship in Christchurch, New Zealand.
BOWLS ace Gary Pitschou, who has always been a thorn in the side of the world's top bowlers, forced his way into the knockout stage of the WBL world outdoor singles championship in Christchurch, New Zealand. Completing his group programme yesterday with two hard games, Pitschou, 44, chalked up a great 21-14 win over Ireland's Martin McHugh, but lost 21-15 to England's Mark Walton.
The victory over McHugh was particularly significant.
In three previous head-to-head meetings at the British Isles Championships, Pitschou had lost each time.
Having lost only three of his 11 matches, the Guernseyman finished in third place in the group table, and was due to face Australia's Aron Sherriff today for a place in the semi-finals and a guaranteed bronze medal.
Gerry Baker of South Africa and Scotland's Darren Burnett were the only two men to finish ahead of Pitschou, while McHugh was in fourth place, keeping the talented Walton out of the medal frame.
Ian Merrien, with Mac Timms at lead and the Collins brothers Nigel and Gary mid-rink, had a hard time of it in the fours, but a last-gasp 20-18 win over Thailand kept them off the bottom of the league table.
