Bowls: Corsie's first-class delivery

RICHARD CORSIE, of Scotland, lifted the Midland Bank world indoor singles title for the third time in five years at Preston yesterday.

The former Edinburgh postman won his all-Scottish final against the Blantyre carpet-fitter, Jim McCann, 7-4, 7-5, 4-7, 7-5. In doing so, the 26-year-old Corsie becomes the only player to have won the championship three times since the game went 'open' in 1987. He collected pounds 24,000 for his afternoon's work at the Guild Hall while the 31- year-old underdog, McCann, received pounds 14,000.

It took Corsie just two and a half hours to write himself into the record books as he came from behind in all three of the sets he won. 'The second set was probably the turning point,' Corsie said. 'Jim was 5-4 up and lying two but I managed to snatch the set.

'No doubt Jim was kicking himself after missing that opportunity. We both probably could have played better but I'm just so very, very pleased to have won it three times. I felt naked without the title.'

McCann's cavalier approach won him many fans. 'The people here have been fantastic. I've had a brilliant time,' he said. 'If I never win another match I'll be happy.'