IRELAND’S Simon Martin is the new British Isles Bowls Champion!
The Belfast player yesterday picked up the trophy for the first time following an epic 21-16 victory over Wales’ Damien Doubler.
But if it was a glorious chapter for Martin, the dreams of Alistair Coleman and Chloe Watson were shattered as they both were beaten in the final of the men and women’s Under-25 singles tournaments.
“I’m thrilled with the victory . . . it’s a great feeling,” said an elated Martin following his 21-16 win. “I won the Irish title for the first time back in January, which was fantastic, but this even tops that.”
Martin’s victory also preserved Ireland’s superb record in the blue riband event. He followed on from his club colleague Mark McPeak’s win in Swansea last season. It was also the four successive year that Ireland contested the singles final . . . Ian McClure and David Corkill lost out in 2010 and 2011.
Credit to Doubler – he made Martin battle right to the wire for his moment of glory.
With the scores locked at 16-16 at 19 ends, Martin made a statement of intent by picking up a vital three shots.
It had a telling effect on the Welsh man. Martin followed that up with a two – and the celebrations got under way . . .the title was on the way back to Ireland.
Meanwhile, young Coleman stumbled to defeat against England’s Ashley Clipton, who required a mere 13 ends to see off the Irishman’s challenge in the men’s Under-25 singles.
Coleman produced an impressive showing to beat Wales’ Daniel Salmon only 24 hours earlier, but failed to recapture that form in what was a shattering end to his title dream. He managed to register on only three ends overall before crashing to a 21-6 defeat.
Teenager Watson was right out of luck in the women’s Under-15 singles final against Wales’ Amy Williams. The players traded blow for blow right until the 23rd end when Williams foot on the gas, winning the final three ends to record a hard fought 21-16 success.
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