Bowls: Allcock rolls back the years

Tony Allcock bridged a 15-year gap since his last World Indoor Single Championships triumph when he stormed to a straight sets win over Richard Corsie in yesterday's final here. The 46-year-old claimed the £25,000 first prize at Hopton with an 8-3, 9-4 win.

Allcock lit up the final with the shot of the championship on the opening end of the second set, turning the jack a couple of inches with his last bowl for a maximum return of four shots.

The veteran from Cheltenham said after his success: "I didn't think I had any chance of winning the title when I came here last week. Having said that, this is one of my best ever World Championship performances.

"Richard and I go back a long way – to World Outdoor and Commonwealth Games finals – and there's a bit of history behind this win."

Corsie said: "We were both a bit tentative over the opening few ends and we both had chances, but Tony settled better than I did.

"He produced some fabulous bowls and kept me under pressure – and I had no chance to settle."

The Scot added: "I'm more disappointed with the way I played than with losing, but even if I'd played well I'd have had my work cut out the way Tony played."

Allcock's victory gives him a 14th World Bowls title, eclipsing the record he shared with David Bryant of 13 titles apiece.