PBA - Defending Champ Too Good Wellingtons Rob Ashton suffered a disappointing debut on the World Bowls Tour at the Dewars Centre in Perth, Scotland going down 14-3, 10-6 against World number 3 Nicky Brett of England. The defending champion profited from a nervous start by the kiwi picking up big numbers in the first set and it looked like a similar story in the second with another four shots on the third end to the Englishman to go up 5-1. But Ashton fought back to make a contest in the second set winning the next three ends to go up 6-5 with some good draw bowls. However Brett was on form and tilted the balance once again in his favour closing out the last three ends to start his campaign to become the first player to defend the Cooperative Funeralcare Scottish International Open Singles with a win. Ashton’s habit of following his third bowl to the head was a disadvantage as he had to hurry back to play his last bowl each end under the pressure of a shot clock which is not used in domestic qualifiers. The portable blue rink also did not play to its usual high standard with any bowl played under the draw line swinging under the head making weighted shots to change heads very difficult. Organisers were preparing to lift and relay the surface after the completion of the first round on the recommendation of several players. A welcome change developed last season is the live free coverage of all matches on the ‘World Bowls Tour’ Youtube channel providing great access to a potentially huge world audience. The next New Zealander to travel to the UK will be Dunedins Andy McLean in Januarys World Indoor Singles in Norfolk. McLean is also drawn to play Brett in the first round. From Auckland Bowls newsletter.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 23:38:56 +0000
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