Le Noury pulls off surprise victory to reach showpiece
TODD PRIAULX was on top of his game at the recent World Champion of Champions in Sydney, but the island outdoor champion has not enjoyed his return to the domestic indoor scene.
In the space of a few hours in the quiet confines of the Guernsey Indoor Bowls Stadium at the Hougue du Pommier, not only did he bow out of the men’s pairs at the semi-final stage, but he suffered a surprise exit to Steve Le Noury in the semis of the men’s singles.
Le Noury has long been an underrated customer on the indoor carpet and yet the match seemed to be going to form when Priaulx established a 10-3 lead, almost halfway to his 21-shot target.
But then Le Noury collected 12 shots in the space of six ends, while dropping just one, and suddenly was 15-11 to the good.
As you would expect, it provoked a reaction from Priaulx, who moved 19-16 ahead with a triple on the 17th end.
The finish line was well within his reach, but Le Noury responded with a double and then a triple to snatch the tie 21-19 and set up a showdown with Ian Merrien, who had taken out Phil Walters 21-12 in the other half.
More in Thursday's Guernsey Press.
