BOWLS: Andy Kyle celebrates WIBC singles triumph in Jersey

Following his agonising defeat by Jeremy Henry in the final of the World Cup singles in Australia late last month, the County Antrim man went one better in the WIBC singles in Jersey.

Kyle put that previous disappointment behind him to become the first Irish player to win the title since Stephen Moran’s success back in 2003.

He emerged from a section that featured Ryan Atkins (England), Andy Docter (Netherlands) and Gary McFarlane (Guernsey).

Then, in an all-County Antrim battle in the semi final, Kyle edged past the challenge of Alistair Coleman to book his slot in the final.

With the trophy within his grasp, there was just no stopping Kyle, who stormed to 12-2, 8-4 victory over Scotland’s Martin Williamson in the final.

“I’m delighted with the victory,” he said. “It was a difficult three or four days and it’s really a tough tournament to win. It's hard to believe Stephen's win was back in 2003. So it makes it a bit extra special to get over the finish line this time.”

It was almost an winning double for the Irish as Chloe Watson was beaten in the final of the Ladies Championship.

She was attempting to become the first player since the legendary Margaret Johnston to get her hands on the women's single crown.

In fact, Johnston failed to make it a hat-trick of title wins as she was beaten in the final in 2000 by New Zealand's Marlene Castle.

County Antrim's Muriel Wilkinson also attempted to break the mould, but she was defeated by Scotland's Julie Forrest in the 2010 final.

Watson was drawn in a difficult group that included Emma Snell (Guernsey), Guurtje Copier (Netherlands) and Lesley Doig, from Scotland.

The teenage Ireland international came up against an in-form Katherine Rednall in the final, the former women’s world champion, who racked up a straight sets win.

There was a double dose of disappointment for Watson due to the fact she was also beaten in the final of the mixed pairs.

She teamed up with Kyle, but the Irish duo lost out on a tie-break (8-7, 7-7, 1-2) against Jersey’s Chloe Greechan and Malcolm de Sousa.