The first match of the ‘Just.’ World Indoor Singles Championship got underway earlier today with Nottingham’s Simon Skelton overcoming Turriff’s Connor Milne 6-6, 10-3.
There wasn’t much to differentiate between both players in the opening set with the scores locked 3-3 with Skelton then adding a single to go 4-3.
However the 26 year old reigning Scottish Singles champion reeled off three singles to hold a 6-4 advantage playing the last and held a set lie in a tightly packed head.
But that all changed in the blink of an eye with Skelton’s last delivery.
He opted to play a back hand weighted shot into the head, connected with the target, flicked the jack to the side of the rink and when the dust had settled found himself holding a double. He was a bit unfortunate not to add a third to take the set, but on a measure missed out by a few centimetres.
That result boosted the 48 year old Management Accountant’s confidence and he dominated the second set. Striding out to a 9-1 lead after six ends and eventually winning 10-3 with an end to spare.
Reflecting, Skelton – a former Commonwealth Games Fours gold medallist from the Manchester Games and a runner up to Stewart Anderson in the 2019 title decider of this event said “In the end I think I was a bit fortunate to get the result to draw the first set.
“ I only needed to be in the area and hope the head broke well for me. It’s quite amazing that I almost scored a three that would have given me that early advantage.
“That certainly lifted me and gave me a bit of confidence. My confidence has been quite low because I couldn’t quite ‘feel my arm’ to connect line and weight – it wasn’t part of my body and I know I’m not match fit. I know it’s the same for everyone, but every game’s a bonus for me and I’m feeling a bit of progress in that direction now!”
“JUST” World Open Singles
Round One