Anderson faces tough opening match in his quest for a third title
Hamilton’s Stewart Anderson has set his sights on a third World Indoor Singles crown on the portable blue rink at Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk this month, but admits making a successful defence of his title will be difficult.
The 34-year-old powered his way to a second crown last year, six years after his first, beating surprise finalist Simon Skelton in the showpiece.
If he is to become only the fourth player to win back-toback titles, then he must first get the better of a Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the opening round.
Daniel Salmon was one half of the Welsh Men’s Pairs who scooped gold at Broadbeach two years ago, and he will provide a formidable obstacle to Anderson, who is looking to join legendary Scot Richard Corsie on three wins in the blue riband event of indoor bowls.
“It’s a tough first game, but I’ve always said that I prefer to play someone I know rather than someone I don’t, as you know their game and what to expect from them,” revealed Anderson.
“It’s better getting in there right from the off, rather than going in there half-hearted.
“I don’t even think about going there as the world champion. I just play every opponent as they come, the way I play every match.
“I will look to beat my opponent and that’s it.
“I can’t remember many people winning back-to-back titles and so it is going to be tough to defend my title, but I’ll take each round as it comes.” Anderson is one of nine Scottish players in the 32-man field this year, along with international team-mates Alex Marshall MBE, Paul Foster MBE and Darren Burnett.
They are joined by Bowls Scotland’s high performance coach, David Gourlay MBE, along with Michael Stepney, with those six occupying berths in the world’s top 16.
Qualifiers John McCrorie, Colin Banks and Chris Carswell make up the nine.
Six-time winner Foster, the recent Scottish International Open hero, has best mate Marshall’s seven World Indoor Singles firmly within reach and could well meet him in the final if things go their way.
Burnett will be targeting a second win, while 1996 champion Gourlay faces Falkirk PBA qualifier McCrorie for the second time in three years.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said 2001 Scottish National Singles champion McCrorie, who lost to Gourlay in 2018.
“Oh well, here goes, but I am looking forward to it. I don’t think I will be as nervous this time around, now that I know what it’s all about.”
There could be as many as nine nationalities on show in Norfolk at the five-star venue, but it has been 20 years since the last non-English/Scottish winner and 28 years since a non-British champ, so chances are the Langham Glass Bowl will again be lifted by a UK resident.
Meanwhile, Hawick’s Julie Forrest became the first Scottish woman since Caroline Brown in 2007 to win the Women’s Singles Championship last year and she faces Falkirk qualifier Lorna Cameron first up in her quest for another title.