No hat-trick for Thomson

Bowls

Bowls

Andy Thomson's hopes of a record-equalling third successive world indoor singles title ended in disappointment in Preston yesterday when he lost to Scotland's Hugh Duff in a 3hr 50min marathon.

Thomson looked to be coasting through again when he took the first two sets - both 7-3 - and took a 2-0 lead in the third. But Duff hauled himself back when he took that set 7-4, tied things up when he came from 3-5 down to take the fourth set 7-5 and then took the decider 7-5.

"You think you're on the way out at 2-0 down, particularly against a player like Andy but you've just got to keep plugging away," Duff said. "I got a break in the fourth set when Andy was lying game and I got a good result with my running bowl and that was a big help."

Thomson said: "If I had to lose my title, I am glad I lost it in a game like that."