Merrien back from brink

ALISON MERRIEN produced an outstanding recovery to stay on course for a third British Isles indoor singles title in Llanelli yesterday.

On a busy day which saw her take to the Welsh rinks three times and spend the best part of nine hours in action, the Guernsey and Channel Islands champion reached the singles final with a 21-20 win over Wales' Becky Shaw, having trailed 20-14 and seemingly heading out of the tournament.

Afterwards, she reflected on her biggest ever escape act. 'I don't think I've ever come back like that at this level before.' She admitted that there was air of desperation about the way she hit back after Shaw's three put her on the verge of defeat.