Merrien rises to the occasion in County Durham
TWO great wins for Alison Merrien yesterday served as a reminder of how Guernsey's bowling superstar constantly rises to the challenge on the world bowls scene and put her on the road for two British Isles titles at the Stanley club in County Durham.
Today, with Shirley Petit, Merrien takes on Welsh champions Marion Purcell and Jo Harris for a place in the final of the British women's indoor pairs championship, while she has already booked her place in the final of the women's singles, which will be played tomorrow.
Petit and Merrien are defending the title they won at the same venue last year, while Merrien herself is aiming to win the British women's indoor singles title for a record sixth time.
Petit and Merrien were involved in a Titanic struggle yesterday with former pairs champions Sarah Seymour and Ellen Falkner, from the distinguished City of Ely club in Cambridgeshire, and came out on top, 20-19.
Last night, in the semi finals of the women's singles, Merrien mastered a tricky end rink, on which Carol Ingrouille's Sarnian quartet had suffered a frustrating defeat earlier in the day, and powered to a 21-9 win over the highly-rated Welsh champion Wendy Price.
Merrien now awaits the winner of today's semi-final between England champion Seymour and young Irish ace Chloe Watson.
Brothers Alan and Ian Merrien, with Gary McFarlane and Ken Laine mid-rink, were well beaten by a strong Irish quartet in the quarter-finals of the fours, but Laine and the Merriens have another chance to impress when they meet Wales in the triples today.
Later today, Laine will link up with Graham Winstanley, Dave Lock and Richard Hill in the semi-finals of the senior fours, and will be hoping to avenge yesterday's fours defeat at the hands of the Irish.
More in Tuesday's Guernsey Press.
