Robert Pax a punch to prevail! E
English qualifier savours historic win in Co-operative Funeralcare Scottish International Open
ngland’s Robert Paxton etched his name into the bowls record books at the
Dewar’s Centre in Perth when he beat fellow countryman Greg Harlow in the final of the Co-operative Funeralcare Scottish International Open to become the first qualifier to win the established WBT title. “It’s unbelievable - a dream come true,” said Paxton, the world No.18 from Exeter, after his maiden WBT title success in his first final.
Paxton reached the final without dropping a set, dispatching defending champion Mervyn King in the semi-final to set up a head-to-head with Harlow.
The final was truly a game of two halves. Harlow, the 2010 world champion from Ely, overwhelmed Paxton in the first set, building up an
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astonishing 11-0 lead before the Devonian replied.
But, with the jack now in
Paxton’s hands and longer jack lengths his preferred option, the Exonia club star took control in the second set, scoring in the first three ends before Harlow managed a single, then winning the set by an eight-shot margin.
Paxton then held his nerve to win the first two ends of the tie-break to celebrate his historic 2-11, 10-2, 2-0 triumph.
“I was just happy to come back the way I did in the second after losing so heavily in the first. And while Greg was exceptional in the first set, I felt I didn’t play too badly, so I just knuckled down in the second and took my chances,” said a jubilant Paxton afterwards.
A magnanimous Harlow agreed that both players had played well.
He said: “You know that a player of Rob’s calibre is always going to come back at you. I played too many short bowls in the second set and Robert stamped on them.”
Paxton was finding it difficult to savour the moment. “It still hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming of this since I first qualified for a World Bowls Tour event way back in 2006!”
Paxton was forced to qualify for this year’s event, which ensures a first round place only for the world’s top 16, and he most certainly made the most of his opporunity.
“I’ve heard that this win has put me provisionally up to seventh place on the World Bowls Tour rankings and I’ve still got the World Championships at Potters Leisure Resort in January to go,” continued Paxton.
“Hopefully, I’ve done enough for a top 16 place next season. As well as defending champion King, Paxton also accounted for fellow countrymen Simon Skelton and Robert Chisholm, as well as Scotland’s Darren Burnett, en route to the final.
Results Quarter-Finals
Robert Paxton bt Simon Skelton, 13-8, 10-4
Mervyn King bt Ian Bond, 10-2, 8-4 Robert Weale bt Paul Foster, 3-9, 12-8, 2-0
Greg Harlow bt David Gourlay, 3-8, 10-5, 2-0
Semi-Finals
Paxton bt King, 10-5, 9-4 Harlow bt Weale, 9-9, 7-7, 2-1
Final Paxton bt Harlow, 2-11, 10-2, 2-0
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