Scots sent home in disgrace

Bowls

The former world indoor champion, Hugh Duff, and his Scottish team-mate, David Miller, have been sent home in disgrace from the Home International Championships in Llanelli.

Both players were found to have broken a midnight curfew placed by the team manager, Gordon Neil, on Sunday evening.

"Players were told to be in their rooms by midnight on Sunday, as we had an important match against England the following day," Bob Colthard, the Scottish Bowling Association president, said.

"It transpires that Duff and Miller both reappeared in the hotel bar around 1am and continued drinking for some time."

The SBA's decision was backed by Neil and the captain, Richard Corsie.

Neil said: "I'm bitterly disappointed at the action of the two players concerned. Given the circumstances, the selection committee were left with no alternative but to take the course they did."

Corsie added: "All of the players are 100 per cent behind Gordon Neil and the selection committee. I feel personally let down by the actions of Duff and Miller."

Both players left the Scottish team hotel early yesterday morning and were believed to be on their way back to Scotland.

The duo's dismissal did not prevent Scotland fighting their way to good semi-final wins in both pairs and fours against Irish opposition yesterday, with the young Maybole duo, Malcolm Mitchell and Graham Campbell, beating Barry Moffett and Jeremy Henry 19-14, ending Henry's hopes of a double.

But in the triples, Colin Dickens, Chris Blake and Robert Wason, from Cardiff, beat Scotland's Robert Buddie, Mark McGowan and Andy McIntyre 25-14.

The English champion, Brett Morley, from Nottingham, battled through to today's singles final when producing a storming finish to beat Ireland's Gary McCloy, of Portrush, 21-18.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 27