BOWLS legend Alex Marshall added to his impressive trophy haul when he was crowned Ambassador Cruise Line 2026 Scottish International Open champion.
Thirty-four players representing nine different countries competed in the four-day World Bowls Tour event at West Lothian Indoor Bowls Club in Livingston.
Marshall, who lifted the trophy for the first time, beat four-time champion Stewart Anderson in a dramatic tie-break thriller in the final.
The Tranent bowler’s route to the silverware saw him defeat Darren Weir 10-5, 9-4, 11th seed Michael Stepney on a tiebreak and then Darren Burnett, former winner in 1999 and 2001, 6-5, 11-3 to book his place in the final four. In the semi-final, he recovered from losing the first set 6-8 to England’s 14th seed Jamie Walker to take the second 10-5 and then the tie-break 2-0.
The title holder coming into the event, Anderson had been looking to clinch a record-breaking fifth Scottish International Open win.
He has an incredible record – champion in 2018, back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, and also in 2025.
This was the first all-Scottish final since 2018, when Anderson won his first Scottish International Open title against Paul Foster.
Meanwhile, Chris Brock took to the Arbroath carpet early on Saturday morning as he faced Kevin Stephen (Buchan IBC) in the opening round of the gents’ singles at the national playdowns, writes Matt Osborne.
The East Lothian bowler found the pace early and raced into a 17-8 lead before holding off a spirited fightback to claim the win 21-17 and book his place in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Logan Kennedy held his own in his battle with world champion Iain McLean (Blantyre).
The youngster trailed 12-9 before a two, two and one for McLean opened daylight in the tie.
A two, two and one of his own gave Kennedy hope at 14-18 but a triple at the last ended the fairytale opening win.
Brock returned to the carpet and faced Andrew Adamson (Inverness) for a place on the Sunday morning.
Losing just five ends on his way to a 17-6 lead, there would be no late comeback as Brock sealed the win 21-7.
He returned the following day, where he would face Connar Robertson (Abbeyview).
It was his opponent’s turn to make all the early running as Brock found himself on the wrong side of a 16-7 deficit.
A double at end 17 stopped the rot for Brock, but a double for Robertson in the next end had Brock on the brink of an exit as he trailed 18-9.
Six shots without reply had the possibility of a comeback on at 18-15.
However, it was not to be, as Robertson secured a triple at the last to progress to the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, this weekend signals the return of the gents’ regional championship, where there are players with aspirations of representing Scotland at the international series.
Sides from the North, East, South and West regions will battle it out.
The gents’ line up at Falkirk IBC on Saturday, with the East section represented by Lewis Betts, Chris Brock, Martin Campbell and Stuart Thomson. The ladies’ squad is yet to be announced ahead of their tournament.
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