19 October, 2016
The Co-op Funeralcare Scottish International Open, in Perth 5th to the 12th November at the Dewars Centre, has one of the strongest opening fields in recent history and any one of the top 16 seeds could topple at the first hurdle. One of those is World No 4 and defending champion Greg Harlow who faces regular qualifier from Wales, Damian Doubler, “It’s obviously a tough draw for me playing the defending champion and with Greg regularly playing on the portable rink your always going to be up against it. I’m certainty going to give it my all and hopefully produce my best form on the day and that is what has won me tournaments in the past, if that happens I’m in with a chance,” said Doubler.
Other first round games to watch out for are Scotland’s Jonathan Ross who faces an in form Wayne Willgress, Robert Paxton who is lined up against Co-op Tour card winner Anthony Webb and the other tour card winner and previous World Champion Billy Jackson who faces, recently into the top 16, Mark Dawes. That’s just a taster of the games on show in the first round. Jamie Smith, one of the Australian qualifiers, feels at home in Perth and faces Legend of the game Andy Thomson MBE. We also have two ladies in the starting line up. Ruti Gilor of Israel and Lisa Featherby of Australia who face David Gourlay and Mervyn King respectively.
Top Scottish hopes facing overseas opposition are Alex Marshall MBE, who has never added the Scottish International Title to his endless CV, Marshall faces Mark Sandford of Canada, Darren Burnett faces USA qualifier Steve Halmai and Stewart Anderson who is pitted against Sheldon Bagrie-Howley from New Zealand.
Previous Winners Paul Foster MBE and Nick Brett World No1 face top PBA ranked players in their first rounds. Foster faces Blackpool’s Chris Gale and Brett takes on Irishman Mark McPeak. Another interesting all English draw features Mark Royal who has double qualifier and Cumbrian Trevor Taylor.
But perhaps one of the most interesting and testing games for a top 16 player is when last years Runner up in Perth Jason Greeenslade faces Co-op Wildcard qualifier Connor Cinato. Connor crated shock waves at the World Championships in January, can he keep that up in Perth? Completing the line up is the exceptionally talented, and new into the top 16, Jamie Chestney who faces Irish Legend David Corkill and Les Gillet who faces Hong Kong’s Anthony Yip.
Tickets are available for the event ([email protected]) and daily at the venue. All games are covered in full HD, live and with full commentary on www.youtube.com/worldbowlstour and Scotland BBC network cover the event live from Monday the 7th.