Pairs defeat for Burnett

Angus bowler Darren Burnett suffered a twin setback when he and Stewart Anderson crashed out in the opening round of the pairs at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Great Yarmouth yesterday.

The Scots were aiming to recapture the title they won three years ago, but Arbroath’s Burnett was also desperate to get plenty of match-time on the lightningquick carpet ahead of the singles event later this week.

Australians David Rankin and Kyle McIlroy had other ideas, however. Having mastered the playing surface during their four qualifying wins, a shock 6-4 3-7 2-0 victory gave them a place in the quarter-finals.

Sixth-seeded Burnett meets Elgin’s Andrew Barker in the singles on Thursday afternoon as he begins his bid to add to his 2014 world indoor title.