Gourlay scrambles through

Scotland’ s David Gour lay managed to scramble a 9-4,7-6 win over qualifier ChrisGale from Newton-hall in Blackpool in the last match of the day at the World Indoor Bowls Championships at Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk.

Gourlay, whose only successin this event came in 1996, dominated in the first set but, in the second, both players found it difficult to string two bowls toge ther. Gourlay trailed 6- 3 with three ends to play and somehow managed to score two singles and a double to get over the finishing line.

He said after wards: “That was absolute torture. I was OK playing towards the commentary box but going the other way I had no idea. The only consolation is that I’m still in the event. It was a terrible performance, but I survived”.

Earlier, two Blantyre players moved through to next week’s second round.

Charlie Bence, at 71 the oldest competitor in the 32- player field, knocked out No 16 seed Mark Dawes from Blackpool 4- 9, 10- 7, 2- 1.

Benc es aid :“I wasn’ t as nervous as I thought I would be and knew that I just had to stay calm and believe in myself.I don’ t care who I have to play next.”

Bence’s Blantyre clubmate Stewart Anderson, the 2013 champion, played fellow S cot Julie For rest–one of only three women who qualified – and won 13- 3, 7- 2.