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THIRD WORLD MATCHPLAY TITLE FOR SCOTLAND'S FINEST




Julie Forrest walked away with the Ambassador Cruise Line Ladies World Matchplay Singles title to thunderous applause from the capacity audience at Potters Resorts Hopton on Sea, Great Yarmouth.


In the all Scottish title decider, her 11-8, 8-9, 2-0 victory over 21 year old Beth Riva from the village of Gifford in East Lothian gave her the title for a third time.


She previously won the title back to back in 2019 and 2020 in straight sets against Guernsey's Alison Merrien MBE and Janice Gower from Lancashire respectively and as recently as last year, lost in the final to six time winner Katherine Rednall from Norwich.


Her young opponent, who was making her debut at the event, and had won the Mixed Pairs title with fellow Scot Jason Banks two days ago, made an impressive start, racking up a full house of four shots on the first end.


But Forrest hit her straps at the perfect time, took control of the set, scoring nine shots across the next six ends to take a 9-4 advantage, and despite Riva scoring a single and double to get herself back into contention, a double for Forrest averted any potential danger and she ticked off the result in the first set 11-8.


It looked like Riva was going to score another first-end full count, but Forrest managed to roll the jack and chalk up a double for her cause, and she followed that up with four shots over the next three ends to make a solid start to the second set, edging into a 6-0 lead.


Riva responded with a run of 1, 2 and 2 to cut that score line to 6-5 in Forrest's favour. She scored a single and double to lead 8-5 and hold a good position with just two ends remaining, but in a spectacular turn of events the East Lothian player finished the set off in a blaze of glory, counting a single on the penultimate end left her requiring a treble to take the match to a tie break.


It looked like an impossible task, with Forrest holding a game lie, but fortune favours the brave and a difficult inch-perfect connection, saw her yield the necessary count, to share a set each at 9-8 and set up a best of three end title decider.


After that crushing blow, Forrest regrouped, composed herself and got the heads up on both ends to seal the result, and after a long and distinguished career, added her third title success in the Ladies Matchplay Singles 11-8, 8-9, 2-0.


RESULT

World Indoor Bowls Ladies Matchplay Singles Final

Julie Forrest (Scot) bt Beth Riva (Scot) 1.5-0.5 (11.8, 8-9, 2-0)




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