Merrien becomes a four-time winner

YET another title - yet another record.

Guernsey's bowls superstar Ali Merrien not only retained her British Isles women's indoor singles title in Belfast yesterday, but became only the second player to win the title four times.

'I felt much better today and I think people could see that I was back to myself,' said Merrien after she had beaten Scottish champion Julie Forrest, 21-15, in a high quality final.

Still smarting at the reaction of those English supporters who had accused her of resorting to gamesmanship in her semi-final victory over their national champion, Sian Gordon, Merrien insisted that she had played so slowly in that game because she was feeling so ill.

Any unbiased spectator will attest to the fact that Merrien was indeed far from her normal self - and that she is one of the most sporting and popular players on the world circuit.

'I don't do gamesmanship,' Merrien said. 'Anyone who knows me will tell you that I would never stoop to that sort of thing. Anyway, it was great to get back to normal today and I felt more relaxed and able to run up after my bowls.'

Taking a 3-0 lead after two ends, Merrien fell behind, 3-5 after five, but a full house boosted her hopes and she was never in arrears again, as Forrest tried desperately to keep in touch.

'Every time I opened up a lead, Julie would come back at me, but I felt confident I could come out on top,' Merrien said.

'Then, when I was 17-15 ahead, I managed to score a single followed by a treble to get home, 21-15.

'It was a great feeling to have retained the title - the first time I've done that - and I am well aware of the honour of sharing the all-time record of four wins with someone as distinguished as England legend Norma Shaw,' she added.