SIX-TIME singles champion Alex Marshall has vowed to return “stronger than ever” after coming up just short in the 2024 World Indoor Bowls Championships final.
The Tranent bowler came agonisingly close to lifting the crown for the first time since 2015 when he faced off against Stewart Anderson on Sunday.
However, it would be his fellow Scotsman who was celebrating as he lifted the title for the third time with a 12-7, 13-10 win.
Marshall, who had slipped outside of the top 16 in the world rankings prior to the tournament, confirmed he was looking to go one better at Potters Holiday Resort at Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, next year.
Speaking after the final, he said: “I am very much indebted to Potters Leisure for giving me the wildcard.
“I was down at [world rank] number 18 and it is not a place that I want to be because I would rather always be in the top 16 than not be in it. But I have had a brilliant week. I have beaten some terrific players along the way, put in some brilliant performances, but just fell that little bit short at the end.
“I am very happy getting to the final.
“I think that was my eighth final that I have been in – won six and lost two. I cannot grumble at that.
“I have had a fantastic week, back up the rankings list, where I should be.
“I know I am good enough to beat anybody on my day and there is one thing for sure: I will be back stronger than ever.”
Marshall, who turns 57 next month, had defeated England’s Greg Harlow and New Zealand’s Martin Kreft on his way to the quarter-finals.
He needed a tie-break to see off England’s Les Gillett and another decider to knock out good friend Paul Foster in the last four.
That set up the final with Anderson, who last lifted the title in 2019.
It looked as if another tie-break would be needed to decide the final but Anderson held on to take the title.
Marshall paid tribute to the winner and congratulated him on his third world crown.
He said: “He was absolutely relentless at times and when I did get a chance I converted the shot but he would just come back and draw a toucher or whatever.
“You cannot lose a four and two threes to this guy: it is too much to come back from.
“At the end of the game, I played a couple of brilliant bowls to keep myself in it but I have always been known for producing the big shots at the right time.
“I just fell one short at the end there. But Stewart has been the best player for two weeks and he was sensational this afternoon.”
Last Thursday, East Lothian’s other hopeful in the tournament, Aberlady’s Billy Mellors, was edged out in the last 16 by world number six Nick Brett.
In a high-quality encounter, the Englishman won 6-5, 8-7.
Qualifier Mellors had beaten world number nine Jason Greenslade in the first round.
Last Thursday’s match was a tight affair with little to separate the two bowlers, but Brett, who had described Mellors as “world class”, took crucial shots on the last ends of both sets to edge out his opponent.
Mellors told Courier Sport this week that, on reflection, it was “one that got away”.
“I probably outplayed him on the draw and his heavy shots saved him on a few occasions,” he said.
“If I had applied a little more pressure, I think I would have won the game. But you need to take your chances against the [world] top 16 guys.”
But he added: “The overall experience was very positive and I’ll be looking to get back there at the earliest opportunity, although getting to Potters via the qualifying route is incredibly challenging.”
It was great to see his friend Marshall in the final once again but Anderson was in “epic” form and was the most consistent player at the championships, acknowledged Mellors.
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