Pitschou through to quarter-finals

ALTHOUGH last night's clash between Guernsey's Gary Pitschou, pictured, and Scottish bowls champion Iain McLean at the Islwyn club in Pontllanfraith, Gwent, was of academic interest only, it was still a battle worth watching, with bragging rights attached.

Both competitors were already guaranteed a place in this morning's knockout stage in the WIBC world men's singles championship and were hoping to go into the fray on the crest of a wave.

Having beaten their group colleagues Jarrad Breen and Gary Kelly, Pitschou and McLean were putting their unbeaten records to the test against each other before the quarter-finals get under way.

Making a good start, Pitschou was 4-2 ahead with only two ends left to play in the first set, but, sadly, never scored again, as the Scot brilliantly won the set with a double and a treble, then monopolised the second set.