
Fairy tales sometimes DO come true and that's exactly what happened to South Shields Vipers member Paul Hartley when he took the scalp of 2023 World Indoor Open Singles Champion Jamie Walker to become the first qualifier to win through to the 2nd Round of this year's Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Open Singles Championship.
An habitual attendee at PBA qualifiers up and down the country for around the past 20 years, the 50 year old driving instructor from Peterlee in County Durham could not have been happier with the outcome of his 1st Round clash against Walker.
He trailed 6-2 after five ends of the first set, but amazingly took advantage of a slack end from the multi decorated 33 years old from Northampton and chalked up a maximum full house of four shots followed by a double, while Walker squared the set at 8-8 when he scored a double.
But 'fortune favours the brave' and a single on the last end gave Hartley a boost as he took the first set 9-8.
Walker though in the second set, retaliated in style, scoring on five of the eight ends played to win 10-3 and grab a lifeline into a sudden death three end shoot out.
However Hartley, who has lost in numerous qualifying finals around the PBA circuit, stood his ground and rode out the final hurdle 2-0, praising the heavens as he raised his two fists in jubilation after claiming that much awaited celebration victory.
He now moves through to a second round tie on Wednesday 22nd January, against the winner of the match (16th January) between 13= seed and former champion Mervyn King and South Africa's Colleen Piketh, a late replacement for Springbok colleague Gerry Baker.
RESULT
(DAY 6 / 15th January / Match 5)
ENG (Paul Hartley /Q) bt ENG (Jamie Walker /3) 8-9, 10-3, 2-0);
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