Bowls: Quick exit for nervous Thomson

ANDY THOMSON, the United Kingdom No 1, was removed from the Midland Bank world indoor championships at the first hurdle in Preston last night.

Thomson, the No 2 seed from New Eltham, Kent, was thrashed 7-6, 7-1, 7-0 by the 22-year-old Australian newcomer, Cameron Curtis, in the biggest upset of the tournament to date.

Thomson, who once again failed to break his run of poor form in this championship, said: 'I was very nervous and I don't think I've ever played so badly. I couldn't get any rhythm going whatsoever.'

Curtis, who received help from his doubles partner, the defending champion, Ian Schuback, now faces the No 15 seed, Jim McCann. He narrowly survived a hard-fought, five-set encounter with the New Zealander, Robin Jefferson.

Results, Sport in Short, page 37