East Lothian Courier | Sport | World champion Marshall happy with ‘home’ draw

Thursday, 24th July, 2008

Published: Friday, 21st March, 2008 12:00

World champion Marshall happy with ‘home’ draw

Comments (0)

Print Article

RECORD five times world indoor bowls champion, Alex Marshall, is looking forward to playing in a new ‘Premier League’.

The 41-year-old from Tranent is also delighted that the venue for the league will be the Potters Leisure Resort in Norfold, the scene of some of his most famous bowling victories.

He said:“I am not taking anything for granted, but as far as venues are concerned, I couldn’t ask for a better place than Potters.

“As I keep saying, it’s my second home.I have always performed well there and I am lucky to have had success there over the years.”

Marshall is one of six players who have qualified for the event, due to their achievements in ranking tournaments.

As the number one ranked player in the World Bowls Tour, Marshall feels that he can do well.

He said: “Even though I am up against five other top bowlers, I am confident that I can do well.

“But this is a different type of competition from the world singles, as six different colours of bowls will be used.

‘I am used to playing with red bowls at Potters when I play in the world singles.”

Sponsored by sports impressario, Barry Hearn, the Premier League will feature 15 round-robin matches of ten ends and all the competitors will play each other once. There will be two points for a win and one for a draw.

Following the conclusion of the round-robin stage, the best four players will advance to the big money play-offs where the format will be one match of 11 ends.

The total prize-money will be £40,000, with the eventual winner netting half of that.

Marshall said that he is not intimidated by the prospect of a what will almost be a winner takes all scenario.

He added: “Obviously with the bulk of the prize money going to the first two, it is going to be a bit cut-throat.

“There’s also the fact that there is one set only, so you will have to be on form straight away.

“But that’s the Barry Hearn way and it’s been a success at darts and snooker and hopefully this will work with bowls.

“It is good that new money is coming into the sport, but I won’t be give up my day job as a sales manager as there is still not enough money in the sport.”

Comments