Merrien one of two invited into draw

ALISON MERRIEN is one of just two players to have been invited back to Potters Leisure Resort to compete in the World Bowls Tour Women's Matchplay Championship next January.

When the draw was announced this week, the names of Norfolk's golden girl Rebecca Field and Guernsey's Merrien, who contested the 2013 final, were the only ones already in the draw – Field in pole position at the top and Merrien in the bottom half of the draw.

Four more places will be up for grabs in a series of UK qualifying events, while the field will be completed with one overseas invitee, plus the winner of the World Indoor Bowls Council women's singles championship.

Apart from the chance to bid for the world title, which she won in 2010, Merrien always looks forward to taking part in the world mixed pairs matchplay event, in which players are paired off by the WBT.