World champ Ali realises her long-time ambition

ALISON MERRIEN'S continuous excellence can make her awkward to place in our annual countdown.

For the purpose of convenience, this year the bowls star is placed in our domestic achievement category following her clean sweep at the recent Island Indoor Championships, winning the women's singles title as well as the pairs, triples and fours as a skip.

But that is just a part of what has been another amazing year for Merrien, which began with her becoming a double world champion.

Back in January, she ended her long wait to become the Potters World Indoor Women's Singles champion and at the same championships she won mixed pairs gold with Simon Skelton.