DAVID Corkill has nothing to prove when it comes to World Bowls qualifiers.
Even though the Belfast player can be found in the television gantry for all major events these days, he can still mix it with the best on the carpet.
He proved that two years ago when he won the PBA pairs play-off at Parkgate, along with Chris Eadie.
In fact, Eadie was the fourth partner Corkill had joined on the famous blue portable rink. He had previously sampled success with Alan McMullan, Roy Battersby and Nigel Gibson.
Eadie and Corkill are again on the starting grid for what promises to be another ingriguing qualifier at the Baker Stadium on Sunday – they are scheduled to face Belfast’s Billy Bird and Ciara Magher in their opening tie.
“We’re looking forward to giving it another bash,” said Corkill, recognised at the BBC’s number one commentator in all televised tournaments.
“We were unlucky on our last visit to Potters. Although Chris and I won the preliminary group against Isreal and China.
“But we lost out in the final on a tie-break to Barry Lester and Jay Globits, from South Africa.
“The qualifier is a tough tournament to win.
“!You certainly need a little bit of luck, but we’ll be giving it out best shot.”
Last season’s winners, Roy Battersby and John McCullough, are also back in the mix.
They produced a superb performance at the same venue 12 months ago to defeat England’s Chris and Martin Gale with a last bowl winner.
The Belfast boys now come up against the 2008 winners, Simon Colvin and Gary Kelly in their opening match – undoubtedly the pick of the first round games.
World pairs qualifier
Preliminary round: M McKeown, E Sands v A Coleman, S Coleman sen.
First round: R Coleman, S Coleman jnr v winner of prelim; D Kenny, AN Other v C Craig, N Mulholland; S Martin, G McKee v J Frazer, N Gibson; M McKeown, E Sands v Cliodhna Eadie, AN Other; D Corkill, Chris Eadie v B Bird, C Maher; R Battersby, J McCullough v S Colvin, G Kelly; B Kane, A Kennedy v D Millar, R Millar; I McClure, D Smith v P Donnelly, P O’Neill.
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