Amazing finale seals British triples crown

AN INCREDIBLE finish of six shots over the final two ends saw the Guernsey trio of skip Alison Merrien, Catherine Snell and Shirley Petit claim the British Isles Championships women’s triples title yesterday in Chelmsford.

The Guernsey contingent who represented the Channel Islands at the British Isles Indoor Bowls Championships. The successful women's triple were Alison Merrien (front row, far left), Shirley Petit (front, second from right) and Catherine Snell (back row, far right). (Picture by Steve Sarre, 24064848)

However, on the same day that Lucy Beere lost her World Cup crown to the legendary Jo Edwards down under, Merrien was unable to make it a double in Essex as she lost her women’s singles final to world indoor champion Julie Forrest.

In the remarkable morning triples final, the Sarnians led against their Irish opponents only when it mattered most – after 18 ends.

The CI representatives endured a slow start and trailed 11-1 after eight ends.

A 2-5-2 sequence got them back into the match, but they were still five shots behind with just two ends remaining yet managed to snatch the title with a thrilling 2-4 finish sealing a 17-16 success.

Returning to the rink in the afternoon for her singles final, Merrien and Forrest were not separated by more than three shots until the Scot’s 2-1-2 finish won her the title 21-17.

Meanwhile, in her third straight World Cup final in Australia, last year’s champion Beere succumbed 8-5, 10-5 to Edwards, who claimed her sixth World Cup title.

More in Thursday's Guernsey Press.