Cruel luck

A GREY, wet and windy day in mid Wales was brightened yesterday by the performance of Guernsey veteran Don Batiste.

He pushed Scottish champion Sandy Wotherspoon every inch of the way in the semi-finals of the British Isles singles championship only to suffer a cruel end.

In the picturesque setting of Rock Park in Llandrindod Wells, Batiste (pictured) looked set to claim a place in today's final when he led 16-11 after 17 ends and it was only a fighting finish from the Scot that denied him.

A four to Wotherspoon on the 18th didn't help Batiste's cause but, after slipping behind, he grabbed a lifeline with a double on the 22nd and was holding shot on the 23rd when disaster struck.

Garry Collins, chief executive of Bowls Guernsey, described the climax: 'Don had the last bowl and was holding shot. It was dangerous, but there was a chance to go for game with a gentle trail for three. Don obviously decided that you don't get that sort of chance to win a game very often, and went for broke.'